Customer Reviews

Missing Presumed Having Good Time

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As other reviewers have written here, this is one that will grow on you. The Notting Hillbillies are Mark Knopfler, Steve Phillips, Guy Fletcher, and Brendan Croker. Fletcher plays piano, the others are guitarists. Paul Franklin is credited for pedal steel guitar, but doesn't rate a photo on the cover. Bass and drums appear on many of the songs, but no musician is credited. Knopfler is the only one of these guys I know of in any other context. The strength of the album, for me, is the beautiful guitar work, and slow easy but always tight rhythmns.

The album is a collection of traditionals & classics arranged by the band, and some originals (only one by Knopfler). Musical styles vary from one song to the next, but the album as a whole has a bluesy folksy sound to it that just can't be beat. Vocals are mostly handled by Knopfler's 3 band mates (he sings his own composition, "Your Own Sweet Way" and harmonizes on some others); I can't recognize who is who, but the voices are excellent and fit perfectly into this music. Some of the songs feature nice harmonies.

A bit about a few of the songs: "Railroad worksong" is a traditional, with a bit of a bluegrass feel (including banjo); acoustic guitar, pedal steel, and Knopfler's unmistakable electric lead weaving softly through it. "One Way Gal" has a subdued calypso sound, with acoustic (?) slide and electric guitar. The singer reminds me of Levon Helm of The Band. "Run Me Down" has a Texas swing sound that will remind you of Bob Wills. "Will You Miss Me" is as near to a country song as any of these tracks; the vocal is excellent and it's a nice understated arrangement. "Please Baby" is a soft ballad that evokes Jimmie Rodgers's "Miss the Mississippi and You." My favorite cut is the last one, "Feel Like Going Home" (Charlie Rich compos.), which again features the guy who reminds me of Levon Helm. It's backed by simple guitar, soft strings and drums, with a nice electric guitar interlude by Knopfler. A wonderful vocal.

Play this one Sunday morning while the coffee is brewing and you're wondering whether you're in the mood to make an omelete or just open the cereal box. I don't have an album that I enjoy more.

Postscript added Aug 2001: I've since figured out that Guy Fletcher was a member of Dire Straits. Brendan Croker has a few solo albums out (I bought and enjoy very much a compilation album, "not just a hillbilly"). I can't find any recordings by Steve Phillips, but I'd sure like to. And, how on earth did I miss pointing out that the title, "Notting Hillbillies," is a nice nod to the Kinks and their old album, "Muswell Hillbillies"? -SW

Mark Knopfler's beautifully restrained guitar sketches send this traditionalist/blues/folk album over the top to a must have cd. This is a cd that you come back to and it stays in rotation for awhile, but each time you come back to it, you wonder why you haven't listened to it for some time. It is a beautiful Sunday morning,late night working background, candlelight dinner music (ie, anytime is the right time for Notting Hillbillies).Knopfler doesn't sing on every song, but his voice and guitar are what ties the traditional songs together to form a complete musical atmosphere. Go missing, and have a good time listening to this understated, smooth masterpiece.

This is a real sleeper of an album. Don't jump to any conclusions just on the group's name or even the cd's title. Look at the talent. Mark Knopfler, a fine artist, has collected some great musicians who can play guitar and harmonize like they've worked together for years.

"Railroad Worksong," the opening cut, superbly blends soft electric guitars and vocal harmony. The theme, drawn from a typical blues or folk ballad, is one that is easy to relate to regardless of one's occupation: we are ALL "working on the railroad for a dollar a day" and we all "got to get our money, gotta get our pay." I can listen to "Blues Stay Away From Me" everyday as the soft harmony and strong guitar work never fails to mellow and de-stress me. "Please Baby" sounds like a modern electric version of an old folk or blues ballad. "Weapon of Prayer" sounds like like a modern electric version of an old gospel song. The album is full of great harmony, excellent multiple electric guitar work that is soothing and melodic, and shows strong production work. And hats off for including printed lyrics! This is one of my personal favorite albums.

Take four Brits who call themselves "The Notting Hillbillies" and you'd expect a parody of American country music or -- worse -- slavish imitation. Not so with The Notting Hillbillies; they've made a CD that's dignified and classy and country-tinged. This is a CD that is original enough to listen to over and over.

I especially liked the first and last songs on the CD. "Railway Worksong" features extraordinary bluegrass banjo, guitar, and steel guitar runs and a strong vocal. I would assume that most of the fancy guitar work is by Mark Knopfler. The steel guitar is played by an American, Paul Franklin, who's as good as they come. The second great song is "Feels like Going Home" which is bluesy and sung a bit like a hybrid of Joe Cocker and Van Morrison. The notes to the CD, unfortunately, don't identify which of the Notting Hillbillies is the lead singer of these two songs.

The Notting Hillbillies, was one of the projects Knopfler worked on while he was away from Dire Straits after the release of Brothers in Arms, and on this he admits his heart to the country/blues/roots music. Knopfler always had this in his heart and it gets more apparant on the last Dire Straits album, On Every Street.
Here he is together with Steve Phillips, Guy Fletcher, and Brendan Croker, and together they make up the Notting Hillbillies, and don't let the name cheat you! There is nothing low about these gentlemen, all exeptional musicians and they seem to work together perfectly on this album, starting out with the brilliant Railroad Worksong and ending in the fantastic Feel Like Going Home. This is a fantastic album that should be in any collection, of country/blues. It really served Knopfler well to do this project before returning to Dire Straits for their final album.

I was given this tape about 14 years ago by a mate I used to work with. The first song I listened to was 'Feel like going home'. A friend of mine had passed away the previous week, and the song's melancholy lyrics and feel immediately touched my heart. The rest of the album, especially 'Railroad Song' is also very good. I cannot put my finger on the magic thing this album has, but all the songs match up to a complete experience. Definitely a must buy. And this coming from a hard-core heavy metal fan... simply brilliant. I buy another copy of the CD to give to my friends everytime to give a gift and I want to show that I respect them, and want to show my feelings for them. BUY IT NOW!

This review is intended for Mark Knopfler fans who heard about this album through and interest in his music, exactly my situation when I bought it. Bottom line, if you like M.K., you will like this. He plays lead guitar throughout the album, sharing solos with Paul Franklin on pedal steel. You might know Franklin from On Every Street, the last Dire Straits studio effort, amongst other Knopfler productions. The listener is not left feeling deprived of Knopfler's brilliant twang. He wrote one song and that song is the only one on which he sings lead, but it's a good song.

Also pick up Neck & Neck, with Chet Atkins. That album along with this one and Dire Straits' On Every Street represent an interesting period for Knopfler. This period preceeded the Soundtracks but one can hear the seeds of his current work in those three albums.

I have been listening to this for the past decade. This is folk and folk rock at its best. The accompanying music and harmonising blend superbly. My favourite is 'Will you miss me', but I like 'all' the numbers in this album , which is rare. I think Knoffler is getting back to his roots these days ( circa 2001)and it is interesting to compare this album with the latest on offer , and of course with the music of Guru JJ Cale. The Notting Hillbillies should get together again for another creative burst. The time is right.

If you enjoy, and I mean LOVE, brilliant guitarists at play, expressive vocals, and understanding every word, then this CD is for you. This collection of traditional folk/blues numbers are as vibrant and edgy today as when they were originally written and left me aching for more! A refreshing change from the usual noise heard today's radio.
Every note is a gem!

Wish they'd done another like this one - I heard when it first came out that it was 'in response' to The Traveling Wilburys, and I believe it's just as special.