Missing...Presumed Having a Good Time - The Notting Hillbillies

So whilst everyone else was jumping on and off bandwagons in an effort to be popular what does the Dire Straits frontman do? Does he release a rock-dance crossover album to follow up the hugely popular 'Brothers In Arms'? Of course not. Instead he meets up with some of his mates, probably in a pub, and forms a small band which specialise in country and blue-grass. Obvious really!

Being a real departure from the global monster that was 'Brothers In Arms', and the huge globe-trotting tour that followed, 'Missing.....' was a refreshing change, but not what Dire Straits fans were expecting. Containing only one Knopfler original, the low key 'Your Own Sweet Way' the rest of the album was filled with cover versions of lesser and well known blues, country and bluegrass tracks as well as original compositions from the other band members. And not surprisingly perhaps, the quality of the musicianship shines throughout. It really is a lovely album and as much as it was a refreshing change from Dire Straits it was equally a refreshing change from indie-dance crossover music that was in vogue at the time.

In April 1990 I managed to catch them at Middlesbrough Town Hall. Well I say 'I' managed when I should really say my Dad managed as he was left in charge of getting tickets; manning the phone lines as soon as they were released. I don't recall how many hours it took to get through but it was a lot. But it was worth it. I spent the whole evening mesmerised, not only by the music, but also because I was seeing one of my heroes in a tiny venue in Middlesbrough.

So if you ever want a break from whatever is in vogue at that moment go missing and try this album. The industrial-techno-jazz-pop-fusion music you have been enjoying will still be there when you get back!