I know he does, I noticed that from the first gig clips, I think the fact it is in a different position is contributing to his playing, of course he still has the ability, you don't suddenly loose that, I can go 3 months without touching my guitar, but then pick it up and play The Long Highway without thinking, and I am no Mark Knopfler!!! He is doing his best in his current situation, and I respect and admire him for that, it could have been just as easy for him to have said the Tracker tour was his final one, and not toured this year.