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Having crafted such a singular sound for himself both in Dire Straits and as a respected film composer, it's gratifying to hear that Mark Knopfler's consummate musicianship has only gotten better on what is only his second solo album in a career that began in the mid- '70s. For SAILING TO PHILADELPHIA, Knopfler once again looks to America for inspiration, starting with the stirring title track that draws from Thomas Pynchon's fictionalized account of English adventurers/surveyors Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon and which finds James Taylor playing Mason to Knopfler's Dixon. Other numbers benefiting from this American muse are the ethereal "Sands of Nevada," the Farfisa-driven "Do America" and the low-key "Prairie Wedding" (featuring alt country stalwarts Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, who also appear on the chugging "Speedway At Nazareth").
Elsewhere, Knopfler entertains a host of famous friends throughout a slew of tasty tracks. Van Morrison duets on the laid-back "The Last Laugh" while Squeeze's Chris Difford and Glen Tilbrook add harmonies to the nostalgic twang of "Silvertown." The most impressive cameo comes from famed bluegrass fiddler Aubrey Haynie whose playing fuses with Knopfler's fat guitar tone to transform the crackling "What It Is" into the quintessential Dire Straits song.
This CD/DVD-A title is his first pop-song album in 4 years. The CD features 13 tracks. The DVD-A includes 48KHz/24-bit Surround, 88.s KHz/24-bit Stereo, Dolby Digital sound, and a 26-minutes EPK video.
Personnel includes: Mark Knopfler (vocals, guitar); James Taylor, Van Morrison, Gillian Welch, Glenn Tilbrook, Chris Difford, Chris Rodriguez, Tim Davis (vocals); Richard Bennett (guitar); Paul Franklin (lap steel, pedal steel); Mike Henderson (mandolin); Aubrey Haynie (violin); Jim HOrn (tenor & baritone saxophone); Wayne Jackson (trumpet); Mike Haynes (flugelhorn); Jim Cox (piano, keyboards); Guy Fletcher (keyboards, background vocals); Frank Ricotti (marimba); Glenn Worf (bass); Chad Cromwell (drums); Danny Cummings (percussion).
Personnel: Mark Knopfler (vocals, guitar); Chris Difford, Gillian Welch, Glenn Tilbrook, James Taylor , Van Morrison (vocals); Richard Bennett (guitars); Paul Franklin (pedal steel guitar); Jim Hoke (autoharp, harmonica); Mike Henderson (mandolin); Aubrey Haynie (violin); Jim Horn (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Harvey Thompson (tenor saxophone); Wayne Jackson (trumpet); Mike Haynes (flugelhorn); Jim Cox (piano, keyboards); Guy Fletcher (keyboards); Frank Ricotti (marimba); Glenn Worf (bass guitar); Chad Cromwell (drums); Danny Cummings (percussion).
Rolling Stone (1/4/01, p.106) - Ranked #7 in Rolling Stone's Top 10 Albums of 2000. Rolling Stone (10/26/00, p.116) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...A welcome flashback....evoking some of the granduer of prime Dire Straits." Q (10/00, p.119) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A model of tasteful understatement. SAILING is all country and blues flavors, hushed melodies and drowsy vocals..." CMJ (10/16/00, p.53) - "...Impressive and inspired..."
Kickass Dude! Mark knows hows to make music with Godly talent, knock on wood he hasn't made a bad album....just like, Doyle Dykes, Stephen Bennet, Howard Emerson, Don Ross....Etc.
To long of a list to write all of them.
Best!
Brian Submitted by brian (Vestal, NY) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Get the 2-disc "digipak" This is hopefully is the 2-disc edition of the album that I have. It should include an HD-CD and a DVD-Audio of the entire album on two separate discs. CDUniverse doesn't seem to provide any info about what exactly the bonus DVD is, but I assume it's the DVD-Audio one that I have.
Anyhow, I strongly recommend getting this album in the 2-disc edition and listening to it on DVD-Audio. The DVD-Audio has a different mix, made specifically for the digital 5.1 surround technology and incorporates all the smallest nuances that Mark Knopfler put into his music on this album.
If I had to choose one word to describe this albums, I'd say SUBTLE. It's all about the little things, nuances of sound, nuances of the different instruments used and background chords played, and of course the varied colorings from background vocals. Mark was able to choreograph this record quite well from a large assembly of gifted musicians.
I loved this album. It's sophisticated, beautiful, somewhat understated, and packed with soulfulness. Mark's lyrics are poetic as ever and lay so well on the music he wrote. The compositions and sound throw back somewhat to the Dire Straits sounds and styles, although not quite as "rocking" as one might expect of a DS disc. This disc includes a wide variety of styles, such as rock-n-roll, blues, farfisa, rockabilly, and bluegrass... But on any given song, you probably won't be able to clearly separate them because they are mixed together in varying combinations.
All compositions are superb, the singing is excellent, and you get to hear plenty of Mark's tasty guitar. It's not the conventional Statocaster sound that he defined in Dire Straits, but a more varied and sophisticated treatment of the instrument that shows how Mark musically matured since the days of Dire Straits.
To capture all the detail incorporated in this record, you HAVE to get the DVD-Audio edition... The CD just does not sound the same and does not do this record any justice. Also, make sure you listen to this record at least once in headphones to catch all the subtleties... Low-volume play just does not do this fine record any justice. I bet this album would sound amazing live.
Highly recommended! Submitted by Denis (NJ, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
Second album - he did again. First there was "Golden Heart" and now his second solo album is available. Dire Straits' lead guitarist Mark Knopfler has - once again - created a true masterpiece. "Salling To Philadelphia" is still different to "Golden Heart", more Dire Straits look-a-like. Another great performance by Mark Knopfler - that man is a genius.
LTE Submitted by a reviewer (Horsens, DK) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful. This review is for a different format.
Solid Rock This album has it all...humour, ballad, Van Morrison...and of course some of the most cracking guitar playing you're ever likely to hear.
It's worth the price of the album just for "Speedway at Nazareth" and the instrumental second half. It shifts into a gear that has to be heard, and loud. I'm not the biggest fan of Knopflers (constant) use of pedal steel guitar, but on this album it sits well. Highly recommended. Submitted by Woody (NSW, Australia) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 2 found this helpful. This review is for a different format.
Too clunky I've always loved Mark Knopfler but not bought many of his albums. I liked his Dire Straits stuff and his 'Cal' soundtrack. So, I thought I'd give this a go, unheard.
I was disappointed - too much thumpy bass and not anything memorable about the tunes. It's certainly not the kind of album that lets you enjoy it 'loud'. In my book, any album that finds you rushing to turn down the volume because it feels 'unbalanced' is not a good album.
For serious Knopfler fans, I think. I was after a gentler album, possibly, and the title was a little misleading for me. Submitted by sandybeynon (Brisbane, Australia) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
Kickass Dude!
Too clunky
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