Sailing to Philadelphia

by Mark Knopfler

Overview

Mark Knopfler's second solo album might as well be called Dire Straits' eighth studio album, though Knopfler abandoned the group name back in 1996, dispensing with hefty sales in the process. There was never much doubt that the fame and lifestyle coincident with platinum sales made him uncomfortable, and discontinuing the Dire Straits billing was a means of walking away from all that. It also allowed him to indulge his love for various musical genres more, and that process continues on Sailing to Philadelphia. True, Knopfler's basic approach remains the same -- as a guitarist, he is still enamored of the minor-key finger-picking style of J.J. Cale, and as a singer/songwriter, he remains enthralled with Bob Dylan. But in one song after another on this album, you get the feeling that he started out playing some familiar song in a specific genre and eventually extrapolated upon it enough to call it an original. Knopfler has grafted his own lyrical concerns to these songs, often playing up the lives of humble people (especially musicians), and putting down powerful people (especially rock stars). There are also story-songs on wide-ranging subjects, but the theme of life on the road and the dichotomy between the rich and famous (what Knopfler is) and the poor and powerless (those he identifies with) predominate. Working with a two-guitars, two-keyboards, bass and drums band (like Dire Straits), Knopfler brings in a variety of sympathetic guests, notably James Taylor, Van Morrison, and Squeeze leaders Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford. These guest stars provide pleasant contrast to Knopfler's modest vocal talents, but they never steal the spotlight from the leader. (Well, okay, Morrison does.) His ability to hold his own is some indication that, however self-effacing he may be, he remains a star. [In 2005 Sailing to Philadelphia was reissued with a bonus DVD that featured "behind the scenes" footage" as well as interviews with Knopfler and his band.] ~ William Ruhlmann

Product Details

Release Date:	11/16/1999
Label:	Mercury / Universal Distribution
UPC:	0731454298124

Tracks

1. What It Is
2. Sailing to Philadelphia
3. Who's Your Baby Now
4. Baloney Again
5. The Last Laugh
6. Do America
7. Silvertown Blues
8. El Macho
9. Prairie Wedding
10. Wanderlust
11. Speedway at Nazareth
12. Junkie Doll
13. Sands of Nevada
14. One More Matinee

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Mark Knopfler   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Jim Horn   Primary Artist,Saxophone,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Baritone)
Chris Rodriguez   Primary Artist,Vocals
Louis Dean Nunley   Primary Artist
James Taylor   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
Duawne Starling   Primary Artist,Vocals
Wayne Jackson   Primary Artist,Trumpet
Robert Bailey   Primary Artist,Vocals
Chris Difford   Primary Artist,Vocals
Harvey Thompson   Primary Artist,Saxophone,Sax (Tenor)
Frank Ricotti   Primary Artist,Marimba
Van Morrison   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
Jim Hoke   Primary Artist,Autoharp,Harmonica
Gillian Welch   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
Glenn Tilbrook   Primary Artist,Vocals
Chris Willis   Primary Artist,Vocals,Vocals
Mike Haynes   Primary Artist,Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Paul Franklin   Primary Artist,Pedal Steel,Lap Steel Guitar
Aubrey Haynie   Primary Artist,Violin
Danny Cummings   Primary Artist,Percussion
David Rawlings   Vocals
Chad Cromwell   Drums
Richard Bennett   Guitar,Strings
Mike Henderson   Mandolin
Glenn Worf   Bass
Tim Davis   Vocals
Louis Nunley   Vocals
Jim Cox   Piano,Keyboards,Organ (Hammond)
Guy Fletcher   Vocals,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Chuck Ainlay   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Eric Conn   Editing
James Taylor   Composer
Denny Purcell   Mastering
Aaron Swihart   Assistant
Andrew Williams   Portrait Photography
Mark Ralston   Assistant
Miles Showell   Remastering Engineer
Jon Bailey   Assistant
Graham Lewis   Assistant
Jonathan Russell   Mastering Assistant
Mark Knopfler   Composer,Lyricist,Producer