I remember these guys in the early 1990s. It was completely different than Dire Straits, and Mark Knopfler could change like great artists do.
The Notting Hillbillies were never meant to be a full-time band. They came together almost by accident in the late 1980s when Mark Knopfler was working on a television soundtrack and invited a few friends to join him. Along with guitarist and songwriter Steve Phillips, keyboardist Guy Fletcher, and singer Brendan Croker, they enjoyed the sessions so much that they decided to record an album. The result was Missing…Presumed Having a Good Time, released in 1990. It wasn’t built around the Brothers in Arms sound. Instead, it mixed country, folk, blues, and the kind of music these four musicians had loved long before they became famous.
This song is one of my favorite tracks on the album. It was written by Mark Knopfler, and it has everything I enjoy about his songwriting. The melody is simple, the lyrics never try too hard, and the song breathes. Rather than showing off, everyone plays exactly what the song needs. It feels more like four friends sitting in a room making music than a carefully planned studio production.
Knopfler’s guitar is instantly recognizable, but what really makes this recording special is the relaxed atmosphere. Brendan Croker’s voice blends perfectly with Knopfler’s style, while Guy Fletcher’s keyboards and Steve Phillips’ tasteful guitar work add just enough color without ever getting in the way. You can hear the country influences, but there are also touches of folk and British roots music throughout. It has the feel of an old back porch performance that just happened to be captured on tape.
I like songs like this because they remind me that music doesn’t always have to be loud or complicated to leave an impression. It’s simply a well-written song played by musicians who clearly loved making it together. Sometimes those are the recordings that stay with you the longest, and this one has done exactly that for me.
This song peaked at #76 in the UK and #13 in Canada in 1990. The album Missing…Presumed Having a Good Time peaked at #2 in the UK and #29 in Canada.
Your Own Sweet Way
Nothing I can do
Nothing I can say
You’ll do what you want to
Go your own sweet way
You’ll go your own sweet
Your own sweet way
Now I can talk to you serious
I can talk to you nice
When it comes to love
You won’t take good advice
You’ll go your own sweet
Your own sweet way
Yeah, you’ll go your own sweet
Your own sweet way
It doesn’t matter what I say
What I do or what I think
You can lead a horse to water
You can’t make him drink
You’ll go your own sweet
Your own sweet way
I said, you’ll go your own sweet
Your own sweet way
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Amazing it reached #13 in Canada because I’m not sure if I ever heard it! Different but pretty good, really chill but Knopfler’s guitar noodlings elevate it. Good find
Thanks Dave… I love when artists take off in different directions like this.
This is such a pleasant song and my first time hearing it, Max.
I like it!
Cool! I remember when it came out…I haven’t heard it in a while…the album is really good.
Well this certainly isnt to hard to take this morning. Knopfler always brings JJ Cale to mind. In a good way. Good take Max.
Thanks dude…it was fun to write this one up.
He is so full of music. No coasting for that guy.
And if you had 100 guitarists playing for you and you were blindfolded…just listening…you could pick him out right away.
Yes
Great pick, Max. While I had known of The Notting Hillbillies, I don’t believe I had ever listened to one of their songs.
I completely agree with you, the sound of “Missing…Presumed Having a Good Time” couldn’t be more different than “Brothers in Arms.” While I recognize the latter was a neatly produced album, I much prefer the more laid back, JJ Cale-inspired sound on Dire Straits’ eponymous debut album. The Notting Hillbillies sounded much closer to that than Dire Straits on “Brothers in Arms.”
Yea I agree on their debut album… I like this one…it’s very rootsy in a way,
Oh, this is excellent! I can’t believe this is my first time hearing it or hearing of it. I love the production. Amazing! Everything is just so…and yet, it swings. I’ll be buying this album…if I can find it.
Cant have a better response than that. Go Pam go!
Yep…got a little enthused there. I dig it.
What it’s all about Pam, being moved by the music. I know the feeling. Something cool about sharing someones enthusiasm and enjoyment
Thanks Pam…I’m glad you are digging this…I haven’t used “digging” in a while!
Really enjoying the deep, resonant, harmonies with their voices. You described their sound well, Max. Thanks for including the playlist.
I appreciate it Lisa! I thought people would like this one.
Max, I had no idea Mark K was even a part of this band, hadn’t heard of the band, etc. Thanks for sharing this. I am a big Dire Straits fan and will be checking out these songs for sure. I do agree some of the songs that stay with you the longest are in fact the straight-forward, quieter, low-key tunes.
Thanks Bruce…they sound differently but Mark is Mark…you could recognize him in a bunch with 100 different guitar players just by his tone.
Yes, the others commenters pretty much said it all. Unhurried song, says what it needs to, nothing pushy, nothing flashy.
Thanks Obbverse.
Good tunes. I didn’t know about these guys, but MK being part of it doesn’t surprise me. He is much more than a money for nuthin guy.
I always loved the song but I don’t recall the album… was it any good?
Yea…very rootsy compared to Dire Straits
Love this song and album. It has a version of that Charlie Rich song I was telling you about one time, “Feel Like Going Home”. I have it on cassette. In fact, I think I have two copies, because I saw it in a swap shop or something, and I felt like I had to rescue it from the indignity of being there. I think I did that with Van’s Moondance too. I already had it on CD and cassette, but I bought another one.
I’m glad you came to it’s rescue! I used to go to a second hand shop that is still open now…called The Great Escape…thats how I afforded casettes as a poor teen.
I probably should have checked this out based on the great band name. Feels like there are some continuities with Dire Straits, maybe with the mellower tracks on their first two albums. I like it! IMO, Dire Straits were never the same after they lost Pick Withers, this has a nice lighter touch.