By
Eric Swedlund
Grade: B-
As the frontman for Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler's voice and guitar became a fixture of 70s and 80s rock 'n' roll. On his latest solo release, Knopfler returns to the sound that made his band a critical and commercial success.
At its best, Sailing to Philadelphia ranks among some of Knopfler's best work. At its worst, the new album sinks to a level somewhere between pointless and shameful.
The highlights of the album, like the tracks "What It Is" and "Silvertown Blues," far overshadow the questionable, such as "Do America."
"What It Is" comes across as Sailing to Philadelphia's best attempt to retrace the brilliance of "Sultans of Swing" and "Tunnel of Love." Its start is mellow but promising, with acoustic guitars and drums building tension until Knopfler's electric guitar enters, announcing that this album intends to be heard.
On the title track, Knopfler assumes the character of Jeremiah Dixon, and he and guest James Taylor, as Charlie Mason, recount the history of "sailing to Philadelphia to draw the Mason-Dixon line."
Taylor is not the album's only guest, and is far from the best. Van Morrison steps in on "The Last Laugh" to lend his Irish croon to Knopfler's deep English mumble. It is an interesting combination, but the sincerity of the vocals makes it work.
"Silvertown Blues" and "Sands of Nevada" join the duets as outstanding songs, crafted to emphasize the interplay between Knopfler's voice and guitar.
The album flounders a little, but Knopfler's purpose on Sailing to Philadelphia seems to be to reconnect with his Dire Straits glory, and he often succeeds.
