Cal - Mark Knopfler

Advantages: A lovely duet with James Taylor
Disadvantages: Flat and repetitive

...I have always been a fan of Mark Knopfler, both in his days of Dire Straits and as a solo artist. So I anxiously awaited the release of his second solo album, Sailing to Philadelphia. I actually pre-ordered it from Amazon, so that I would receive it on the day of release. After his prior album, Golden Heart, which is one of my favourites and which I had to buy twice, since my children permanently borrowed it, I was sure this would be among my favourites. Wrong! Don't get me wrong, it's fine, but it is nothing exciting. It sounds like Mark Knopfler, like always. He has that very distinguishable voice and guitar sound. But it is flat and monotonous, not even the musicians excite me. There are a couple of redeeming tracks. The first being the beautiful title track, Sailing to Philadelphia. On this, Knopfler duets with James... Read review

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Advantages: Nice relaxing feel to the album.
Disadvantages: Not all will appreciate this style of music

...Sailing to Philadelphia is Mark Knopflers second solo Album attempt, from the man who brought you Dire Straits. His first solo album Golden Heart in 1996 and now his second solo album is here for our hearing pleasure. Sailing to Philadelphia is a great album, but is far different from the Dire Straits albums and the first solo album Golden Heart. The first track is "What it is". Personally I love this track which shows you how Mark has matured over the years to show how the guitar should be played with complete emotion and devotion. I would say this is easy listening, as you'd probably listen to it in the car driving home when your all cosy in your car, and its windy and raining outside. I won't cover all the tracks, just a few as I think it would take forever. An increasing array of instruments are in the album, like the irish... Read review

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Advantages: Mark Knopfler unplugged; playing his own songs to his own desires
Disadvantages: You may find it slow to get into

...It is an event when one of the stalwarts of rock produces a solo album. It is an even greater event when that production takes him away from the format and style that has introduced him to his audience and made him famous and closer to the type of music with which he feels truly comfortable. Mark Knopfler of course is the founder, lead guitarist and song writer of Dire Straits. Although born in Scotland the Knopfler family moved to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne when he was around seven years old and Mark attended Gosforth Grammar School. As a young boy Mark was inspired by an Uncle’s harmonica and boogie-woogie piano playing. With this background, many of his early songs made more than passing reference to landmarks around Tyneside (the Dog Leap steps in “Sultans of Swing”, Whitley Bay’s Spanish City in “Tunnel of Love”) As the group developed... Read review

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