On hiatus from
Dire Straits, guitarist
Mark Knopfler joined with
Brendan Croker, Steve Phillips, and
Guy Fletcher for 1990's
Missing...Presumed Having a Good Time. The result is a low-key, joyous run-through of mostly traditional, blues-based songs with a handful of originals. Despite the high-profile presence of
Knopfler,
the Notting Hillbillies succeed in sounding like a band with
Knopfler often taking a backseat to his bandmates, although he does sing lead on the lovely "Your Own Sweet Way." The styles range from the gorgeous harmonies of "Railroad Worksong" with some mournful guitar from
Knopfler, to the '50s-style rock ballad "Bewildered," to the breezy, tropical-flavored "One Way Gal."
Missing...Presumed Having a Good Time is a delightful record that doesn't overstay its welcome. ~ Tom Demalon