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Rating: The release of this album demonstrates a prolificacy in composing music that is quite uncommon among artists who have been present in the music business for at least three decades. The charismatic Mark Knopfler (first with the Dire Straits, often alternating with his solo career) and the talented Emmylou Harris (a representative of country/folk with more than twenty-five publications behind her), manage to bring to fruition a project of twelve tracks, where their vocal interpretations politely alternate and overlap throughout the album.
A work that, considering their respective origins (country for her) and preferences (rock blues & country for him), managed to finely balance between the musical needs and skills of both, contributing to create a product for refined palates and for those who consider themselves lovers of good taste and the simplicity of certain sounds. Despite the lack of continuity in the preparation of the album, the two artists have been able to create a remarkable amount of captivating music, where all the songs can be traced back to a unique atmosphere. The arrangements, although minimal, do not detract from the integrity of the individual tracks, in which Knopfler, with his well-established ability to manipulate "the six strings," naturally places solos and rhythmic bursts that further embellish them. The guitar work heard here—though taking its distance from what he did with Dire Straits—is unmistakable, though never intrusive in the singing parts of the two protagonists, who can be appreciated for being a true example of interpretations that are both simple and touching.
I will not conduct an in-depth analysis of each of the fifty minutes of music listened to but will simply tell you that whether you start listening from the introductory and genuinely rhythmic "Beachcombing" (symbolically dedicated to the damage caused by the terrible Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Tsunami) or from the median "Love And Happiness" (a simple yet touching ballad) and "Right Now" (where we find that rhythmically western cadence that Knopfler likes so much, also recalling the Notting Hillbillies), or from the concluding and relaxing repose of "If This Is Goodbye," you will be happily captivated by this oasis of harmonious tranquility that this little disc will convey to you. It is worth noting that the market launch was entrusted to the steady rhythm of "This Is Us" (released as an iTunes Worldwide exclusive) very guitar-oriented with a nice solo fitted ad hoc just before the close. But if you reach a state of complete bliss and mental fulfillment only by sitting in a saddle riding a thoroughbred, recline the seat of your car, lie back, close your eyes, and let yourself be carried away by the syllabic notes of "I Dug Up A Diamond," where the evocative singing accompanying it will help bring certain fantasies to life. "Red Staggerwing" (which would not have looked out of place on "Neck And Neck" by Knopfler/Atkins in 1990) and "Donkey Town" (a contemporary "Wild West End"), were initially recorded for the successful "Sailing To Philadelphia" by Knopfler, and later set aside, waiting for this project to take shape, on which they found a more fitting placement for musical affinity.
For those looking for the easy listening of Dire Straits, or the long and intense solos that typified the guitar talent and creativity that helped build Mark Knopfler's charisma, stay away from this release; for those instead in search of a sophisticated and refined product where the most introspective and free aspect converges (..without forgoing pleasantly highlighted melodies..) of two artists who can still spontaneously—and without compromising—follow their own path as musicians, approach this CD without any fear of regret... which will not occur.
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