This is good. It feels good. It sounds good. It makes everything good. It's Missing...Presumed Having a Good Time music.
Mark Knopfler had dissolved Dire Straits in 1988 and in 1989 The Travelling Wilburys came along with their new version of a super group. Mark got a few of his cronies around him and formed The Notting Hillbillies to give himself a new musical outlet.
Not quite in the same 'super' league as the Wilburys, the Hillbillies were still class acts. Guy Fletcher had worked with Steve Harley and then Roxy Music and had been with Dire Straits for about 4 years before they disbanded. Brendan Croker had his own band, The Five O'Clock Shadows and the others band members all had their own credibility.
The tracks on the album are a great mix of covers and traditionals with a smattering of originals thrown in. Despite being a writer of renown, Mark Knopfler kept himself in check, only penning one song, 'Your Own Sweet Way' which just can't help sounding a little Dire Strait-ish .. there's no way he can keep from using his guitar to make those oh-so unique noises. Brendan Croker and Steve Philips contribute another couple of originals and there's even a Charlie Rich cover in there.
The traditional tracks give a feeling of familiarity to the album, starting with 'Railroad Worksong' ... everybody knows you're working for a dollar a day and you want your good buddy to take the hammer to the captain so at some point you get to sing along.
There's not that much to write about the Hillbillies. This was their one and only album, although they have come together again for charity shows and even did an 11 show U.K. tour in 1997.
It's a shame they didn't record more. I really like this album .. it's clean, laid-back, comfortable.
Maybe the reason they didn't do any more lies in the title. They really are 'Missing...Presumed Having a Good Time'.
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