My dad (rip) was a swing era drummer and he loved Dire Straits. Said they had one of the finest drummers in the business and Sultans of Swing was one of his favorite songs. Dad played during WW2 with Glen Miller and Harry James. I miss him everyday because he loved Mark Knopfler’s guitar work.☮️💟
Hats off to your dad. The big bands made some truly great and amazing music. They aren’t appreciated as much as they should be today. My mother studied music in college in the 1940s and sang with some local bands before she started a family. I grew up listening to rock in the late 1960s and 70s but discovered and grew to love the old blues, jazz, and swing, in the late 1970s and 80s. Great stuff!
Pick Withers plays top stuff throughout the albums. His hi-hat and snare work is fantastic. Terry Williams is more visible to most casual Dire Straits fans, but he virtually had no contribution to their studio work.
yes joey agree is the only vinly i have by straits the originals at least local very expensive original alchemey 40 plus tax and new reissues same if they have any at all.local indie store
At the time there was some criticism that it was too like their first album. The first two Dire Straits albums plus ELO albums got me through time as student, late 70s early 80s. Dire Straits sound was so unique at the time.
Not only is it gorgeous musically, the lyrics are heartbreaking. I had an idea long ago the have a female singer/songwriter write her side of things and call it "Juliet and Romeo"
Absolutely fantastic song. Great guitar. The song is about English historian and author Marina Warner. Knopfler was watching an interview with her on TV one night and was so impressed with her that he wrote a song.
And we know Mark Knopfler wrote "Money For Nothing" while watching other people watch MTV. Now I wonder how many other songs he wrote that were TV (or film) inspired?
@@aerynsunx a lot of his songs are inspired by books he's read too. One that was definitely TV inspired is Why-Aye Man given it was written as the theme tune for the revival of Auf Wiedersehen Pet. 😃 In fact I'd hazard that most of Mark's songs are inspired by things he's seen or read about.
Knopfler is a master of telling stories based on experiences he’s had. Telegraph Road might be my favorite example, but there are so many good songs to choose from.
Wow. I haven't heard this song in literal decades! I forgot how fantastic it is. Thanks A&A for bringing this classic out for all to hear. Great reaction too, guys! Peace out.
Anything Mark Knopfler does is gold. The funny thing is when you show the music to regular folks, they don't really care that much. but you show it to a musician or music enthusiasts who really know how much talent it takes to write and play music like this, they're incredibly impressed. It's music for musicians. The saying is "Mark Knopfler is your favorite guitar player's favorite guitar player"
I have found that the more mature the listener and their music experience can really influence ones initial opinion of Dire Straights. That said , gotta love this stuff.
Kinda true - if I was a absolutely casual listener (especially when expecting "rock", because it's a guitar band) my reaction would be: Boring song. But.
Very much an underrated album. I think you'd like the first 4 songs before this song. "Once Upon a Time in the West", "News", "Where Do You Think You're Going?" and "Communique" are really good songs. "Once Upon a Time in the West" should be next. Very different from Lady Writer, it's the A+ song from this album, S-tier for Dire Straits fans. Trust me on this one.
How good was that! Another stellar song from Knopfler is “Sailing to Philadelphia”. James Taylor accompanies him on that song about the Mason Dixon line. So good!
I love Dire Straits and Knofler is one of my top 5 guitarists, but I have to say that their drummer, Pick Withers, is sooooo underappreciated!!! This song is a great example of just how good he is! What a solid, great band!
A&A, you'll see a different side of Dire Straits, with "Walk Of Life" which is winning the poll. Fun song!! Also you should post your reaction to "Down to the Waterline", from their debut album.
Communiqué is one of the most underrated albums of all time. Lady Writer, Single Handed Sailor, Once Upon a Time in the West, title track, Angel of Mercy, Portobello Belle. Communiqué is chock full of winners and next level picking by Mark Knopfler. It's their most organic and live sounding album.
One of the few face melting clean guitar solos. Knopfler is truly one of a kind, I'm personally more of a metal/shred guy myself but despite that he's in my top 3 guitarists ever
I saw Dire Straits live in 85 when their album Brothers in Arms came out. Two and an quarter hours of no frills no fillers, just awesome musicianship and great tunes!
I’ve watched my share of reaction videos, but I come back to your posts, because I feel your love for good music regardless of time or genre, and you seem quite genuine. Thanks - I enjoy you enjoying so much of the music I love.
You can imagine the difference seen and felt in Mark Knopfler's playing as the band arrived amidst the heyday of British Punk-rock movement around 1978.
TELEGRAPH ROAD, ALCHEMY LIVE PLEASE. Its a masterpiece, its got to be ALCHEMY LIVE, something you'll never hear again. All from the genius called Mark Knopfler. A story again, an experience he had while traveling Telegraph Road into Detroit, while touring America. You'll never hear the likes of it again. Well done ❤
Perhaps you can listen to some earlier guitarists. Mark Knopfler was a fan of Chet Atkins, a jazzy country guitar player. Django Rhineheart is a must listen. Also, Les Paul and Mary Ford 's How High the Moon.
yes by coincidence i bought a pile of 45s from a neighbor moving two one is the moon record and one other forget the song remarkable condtion i think are decca atill original sleeves i put a plastic sleeve on maybe the oldset 45 i.have aling with chubby checker 58 59 maybe
Fantastic song! The last solo might be even better than "Sultans", but a little further back in the mix. For a phenomenal atmospheric Dire Straits song, I'd recommend "Private Investigations".
No one plays like Mark. It's as clear as a mountain stream always. Then there is his lyrics, unbelievable stories. Chet Atkins would be the only one close to his finger picking style. Pure and clean and fast!
In honor of April Wine's frontman Myles Goodwin, who passed this week, How about playing I Like to Rock by April Wine. There songs were a staple on album rock stations in the 70s/80s.
Fingerstyle (I think that's a more accurate term for Mark Knopfler than "fingerpicking") is in no way a limitation. But what I really came here to say is that the thing that guitar teachers/critics focus on even more for Mark Knopler is his vibrato. It's subtle, and distinctive, and it's always there.
This and "Sultans Of Swing" are their 2 best songs. Knopfler is certainly one of the most underrated guitarists in history. He absolutely kills it here. Other ones include: "Skateaway", "Tunnel Of Love", "Romeo And Juliet", "Expresso Love", "Solid Rock", "So Far Away".
George Harrison was asked in the late 80s who he listens to - and he said “I can’t say I’ve really heard anything that gives me a buzz like some of that stuff we did in the Fifties and Sixties,” George said. “The last band I really enjoyed was Dire Straits on the Brothers in Arms album. To me, that was good music played well, without any of the bulls***.
This is great second album Dire Straits. For great third album (that you haven't done), "Romeo and Juliet". For great fourth album, "Telegraph Road". There's a lot more after that.
I had never heard of them until I saw their Tiny Desk concert, and was totally impressed. Highly recommend giving it a look! She looked like she could be a factory worker, but her impact is like Bonnie Raitt guesting for the Allman Brothers.
I forget if you guys did Telegraph Road live Alchemy but if you didn't you need to, it's my favorite DS moment. But I can also suggest Six Blade Knife as a cool deep cut although that might have been on the album you reviewed..? Yeah.
So, it might not be rock - in fact, it isn't - but those Tik Tok guitar slapping/picking guitar kids? I guarantee you they're inspired/influenced by the late Michael Hedges (or at least inspired by those who were inspired by Michael). He released terrific albums under the New Age label Windham Hill. Check out pieces from his groundbreaking 1984 album Ariel Boundaries. Widely regarded as one of the most important guitar recordings ever made. He was a family friend, too, so I've seen him live several times. He died tragically in 1997 in a car accident - but he literally changed acoustic guitar playing forever. I hear his influence everywhere these days. Reacting to one of his pieces would be a slight departure for you guys but a very tasty treat. I'd suggest "Ragamuffin" or "Rickover's Dream" off of Ariel Boundaries (also a great cut).
One of Dire Sraits' most forgettable songs. With .such an incredible catalogue of songs, I have no idea why you chose this one. They didn't even perform it live past about 1980 because they so many better songs to perform.
If you ever fancy hearing an older more mature Knopfler post Dire Straits composition, try his amazing 2000 songs What It Is, in homage to the beautiful Scottish city of Edinburgh, from the album Sailing To Philadelphia, off which, the title track is also well worth listening to about the two Englishmen hired to map out the Mason-Dickson Line.
You rate it an A because of a fictional person you might meet. You feel it's an A+ but won't rate it that. This makes zero sense. Please redo the outro.
Fingerstyle gives you 2-5 picks to use instead of just one. It may not lend itself to superfast single string shredding (athough with good technique like Knopfler you can achieve similar effects), but it allows much greater harmonic versatility and melodic counterpoint across different strings.
There’re Two Songs about America, that comes with nuance you would not expect from a Brit. One is “Telegraph Road”, And the other is a duet with James Taylor Called “Sailing to Philadelphia”. The performances of many of DS songs are best seen of their live Alchemy Tour, I’m sure you must have seen Sultans of Swing from that performance. Been lovin you guys since Day one, stay Well.
I think by Dire Straits incredible high standards this is a A rating not one of their strongest songs but a catchy number. Their live album Alchemy is one of the best ever Telegraph road and Tunnel of love brilliant. Mark Knoplers touch on the guitar is so beautiful there's no one like him.
Great character sketches and storytelling! I think "Once Upon a Time in the Wild West" was my favorite off this album. Eventually you should hit "Telegraph Road"-- it's like a novel in terms of sheer scope. Also, one more plug for 801 Live "Tomorrow Never Knows"-- you will never, ever regret it. One of the top bass performances in all of rock, plus many other attractions (Eno, live, trailblazing production).
I read your comment and checked out 801 live TNK. 🤯 Freakin phenominal. I can't believe I never heard of this band. I had goosebumps. I was 13 in 1970 and listened to almost everything. Thank you so much for suggesting it.
Yes!!!! That bass is crazy, huh? Thanks so much for listening to it! I'd have never heard it except for the pothead who lived below me in my college dorm in 1983, and by then it was already 7 years old! @@Fuphyter
@@scottmarleneking6298 have you ever listened to Stanley Clarke "School Days"? It's progressive jazz. This music is great and he's an incredible bassist.
Well, you're dredging up an ancient memory, but I owned that album back in the 80's and seems like he was an early tapper. Divested of my collection when the kids came along-- that's why I've forgotten a lot and also have a massive black hole in my musical knowledge from about 1988 to about 2010. I'd forgotten about Stanley Clarke-- will have to check him out again! Thanks!!@@Fuphyter
In case you've missed it when researching Mr. Knopfler, he is left-handed but he plays a right-handed guitar as though he is right handed. Dominant hand of the fret board, "weak" hand does the finger picking.
Saw the Dire Straits in Toronto in the mid 80's and was blown away as I was not very familiar with them at the time. We were there to see the opening act. Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. What a double awesome night we had!
My dudes - you guys are making my month with all this Dire Straits content. Glad y’all enjoyed this one, it sometimes gets criticized for being too similar to Sultans, but to me, that’s not a bad thing. Knopfler’s guitar playing is truly in top form throughout the track, culminating in that blistering outro solo that fades out. So cool. Also good analysis of the lyrics - it’s about how the Lady Writer reminds the narrator of his ex, but in looks alone-the Lady Writer is brilliant while his ex “never read a book” and “couldn’t hardly write [her] name”. It’s really scathing, even bitter, which makes it relatable…I feel like we’ve all been through that point in a breakup where everything reminds you of your ex, and you just vilify them in your head. I saw the poll a few days ago where you asked about songs that make you happy, and “Walk of Life” seemed like the winner. That’s a great one to hit next! Thanks for the great reactions gents, and happy holidays :)
That little "oh, oh" after he sings "'You got the same command plus your mother was a jazz singer - oh, oh" bridging into his next mini solo still sends chills. I don't know why.
I love that you love this track! Communique is the album that most people ignore in favour of what came before, or what came after, but I think it stands up well alongside anything they did. 'Portobello Belle' and 'Follow Me Home' are my personal favourites. Keep up the fantastic work and I look forward to seeing more of your Dire Straits reactions.
So many great suggestions and titles mentioned in the comments covering the "classic" Dire Straits era/albums. I will toss out an outlier from the last Dire Straits album--the title track to "On Every Street". Jeff Porcaro from Toto plays the drums on it, and the subtlety, chord progression, ambience, groove and melody are simply sublime.
