Post by MartinT on Apr 16, 2019 7:47:06 GMT
Their first album Dire Straits in 1978 came from nowhere, a kind of (very) polished pub style rock that just got under your skin. As well as the seminal Sultans of Swing, there is much to like here: Down to the Waterline, Water of Love, Six Blade Knife and Wild West End are all superb. Mark Knopfler's guitar style may sound familiar now, but listening to his playing remains a fresh experience and rather unique. The analogue recording just gets better the more resolving your system.
in 1979 came Communiqué which, for me, is their pinnacle achievement. Knopfler and his characteristic sounding guitar never sounded better, just listen to the opening of News. The first three tracks have to be listened to together. Portobello Belle is also a great song. Epic sound quality, the best that analogue can offer.
Making Movies came next in 1980 with the mini epic Tunnel of Love and the better known Romeo and Juliet. I personally don't find this album quite as cohesive and neither is it recorded quite as well as its two predecessors.
In 1982 they released their first huge selling album, Love Over Gold, with its distinctive lightning strike cover. Telegraph Road was a 15 minute epic and never gets old, in fact Knopfler still performs it at his gigs to this day. Just luxuriate in the length of it - you want more, you got more! Listen to Private Investigations for really inventive song writing and excellent recording where the needle dropping can almost be heard.
Brothers in Arms was released in 1985 and became one of the all-time great selling records. Recorded digitally, it was showcased and over-played at every hi-fi dealer and show of the time. Play Money for Nothing loud and the effect is quite thrilling. However, for me the two stand-out songs are Ride Across the River and Brothers in Arms, both slow burners and the latter quite an emotive experience. For all its bombast and large sales numbers, this is probably the album I play the least of them all.
Their final studio album, On Every Street, released in 1991 after a long break, was a bit of a cracker that few people seem to know. Seemingly having got their monster previous hit off their chests, they just got down and performed a set that is great music making, really well recorded, and a fitting end to their short but bright career during a so-so decade for music. Try Fade to Black for something different. I personally think You and Your Friend is another creative pinnacle and showcases Knopfler's guitar playing in all its glory, not to mention the sound of that guitar.
So, the band that people loved to hate has mostly much to love! One of my personal all-time favourites, they never get old.
in 1979 came Communiqué which, for me, is their pinnacle achievement. Knopfler and his characteristic sounding guitar never sounded better, just listen to the opening of News. The first three tracks have to be listened to together. Portobello Belle is also a great song. Epic sound quality, the best that analogue can offer.
Making Movies came next in 1980 with the mini epic Tunnel of Love and the better known Romeo and Juliet. I personally don't find this album quite as cohesive and neither is it recorded quite as well as its two predecessors.
In 1982 they released their first huge selling album, Love Over Gold, with its distinctive lightning strike cover. Telegraph Road was a 15 minute epic and never gets old, in fact Knopfler still performs it at his gigs to this day. Just luxuriate in the length of it - you want more, you got more! Listen to Private Investigations for really inventive song writing and excellent recording where the needle dropping can almost be heard.
Brothers in Arms was released in 1985 and became one of the all-time great selling records. Recorded digitally, it was showcased and over-played at every hi-fi dealer and show of the time. Play Money for Nothing loud and the effect is quite thrilling. However, for me the two stand-out songs are Ride Across the River and Brothers in Arms, both slow burners and the latter quite an emotive experience. For all its bombast and large sales numbers, this is probably the album I play the least of them all.
Their final studio album, On Every Street, released in 1991 after a long break, was a bit of a cracker that few people seem to know. Seemingly having got their monster previous hit off their chests, they just got down and performed a set that is great music making, really well recorded, and a fitting end to their short but bright career during a so-so decade for music. Try Fade to Black for something different. I personally think You and Your Friend is another creative pinnacle and showcases Knopfler's guitar playing in all its glory, not to mention the sound of that guitar.
So, the band that people loved to hate has mostly much to love! One of my personal all-time favourites, they never get old.
