The Notting Hillbillies-Missing... Presumed Having a Good Time (1990)

In the late 1980s, Mark Knopfler had practically declared the Dire Straits story over, although in 1991 he returned with the album "On Every Street", a kind of revival with nods to the multi-platinum "Brothers in the Arms", ​​but without even coming close to its musical excellence. On "On Every Street", Knopfler recruited a legion of musicians outside the original members of the group, with the exception of bassist John Illsley. Therefore, it is unofficially considered a solo album by the guitarist, rather than a typical Dire Straits record. However, a year earlier, Mark Knopfler collaborated with renowned British blues and folk musicians such as Steve Phillips, Brendan Croker, Guy Fletcher, Paul Franklin, Marcus Cliffe, and Ed Bicknell, forming the project The Notting Hillbillies. They recorded and released a single album titled "Missing...Presumed Having A Good Time". On this single release, this gathering of talented musicians crafted a refined collection of blues, country, and folk tracks, featuring both covers and original compositions. Among these covers are the traditional 1870 blues song "Railroad Worksong", the folk song "Weapon of Prayer" by The Louvin Brothers, the country song "Feel Like Going Home" by Charlie Rich, the traditional "One Way Gal", the jazzy bluesy "Bewildered" by Teddy Powell, and the bluesy folk song "Blues Stay Away from Me" by The Delmore Brothers. Among the original compositions by the band, the country song "Will You Miss Me" by Steve Phillips stands out. Its commercial reception was very positive in various countries around the world, achieving several gold records and confirming the influence of these styles that have always been present in Mark Knopfler's music.