Rediscovering the Straits

[wedg1e]

About a millenium after it was released, I finally got round to 'obtaining' Alchemy

Still blows me away, even without putting diamond to vinyl.

Kids these days, they dont know what music is...

[agent006]

I've still got my dad's original tape of this in my car. It's older than me by a fair way, but it's brilliant. On The Night is also very good.

[billynomates]

wedg1e said:

About a millenium after it was released, I finally got round to 'obtaining' Alchemy Still blows me away, even without putting diamond to vinyl. Kids these days, they dont know what music is...

Must have "brunged" up my son OK then.

He's not turned 20 yet and hopes to see Mark K playing in Brisbane/Sidney before returning to the UK.

Good Boy

[Plotloss]

wedg1e said:

Kids these days, they dont know what music is...

They didnt then, to be fair...

[lazyitus]

Love over Gold LP is exceptional.

Still get the same buzz listening to it now as I did as a kid in the 80's.

I'm off to see Knopfler at the M.E.N this year! Can't wait.

[mutt k]

Anyone know why they stopped? They just seemed to fade away and I don't remember any stories about "musical differences".

[groomi]

I've got his latest solo album which i think is excellent, perfect cruising music.

Only really remember the latter years of Dire Straights although keep meaning to buy an old album / greatest hits or something.

[cosworthcapri24v]

Whats the point in greatest hits albums? they only have the tracks that your others have got on them. for example Van Halen Greatest Hits Vol 1 there was 2 new tracks on it, HELLO i paid £15 for it. i would have prefered a single.

[groomi]

cosworthcapri24v said:

Whats the point in greatest hits albums? they only have the tracks that your others have got on them. for example Van Halen Greatest Hits Vol 1 there was 2 new tracks on it, HELLO i paid £15 for it. i would have prefered a single.

Agree if you already have some albums.

On this occasion though I don't have any, so it makes sense to get a collection of their more acclaimed work. After all, I'm not a die hard fan, just interested.

[wedg1e]

mutt k said:

Anyone know why they stopped? They just seemed to fade away and I don't remember any stories about "musical differences".

Mark went all 'country' for some reason; David had one unsuccessful solo album 'Cut the wire' (I have it, it's not good), god know where Pick Withers and the other guy got to...

[b17nns]

Going Home

Probably my favorite track of all time (the live Alchemy version).

[lazyitus]

b17nns said:

Going Home Probably my favorite track of all time (the live Alchemy version).

Yeah, I have the 'Local Hero' CD and there are a few different instrumentals of this tune, aswell as the original.

[V8thunder]

'Alchemy' is one of my favourite albums, especially the heart-rending 20-minute live version of Tunnel Of Love - brilliant song.

[bga]

wedg1e said:

Mark went all 'country' for some reason;

He always was, it's (imo) where he got his lyrical guitar style from - solo guitar playing along with vocals etc.

Even money for nothing has some small country influence with the use of open strings etc.

Many other DS songs have country/folky influences - much of the solo from Telegraph Road is using country type patterns with a slightly different phrasing.

All in all the guy is a god and DS were great. I still get goosebumps when I hear the the simple but effective solo at the end of Tunnel of Love

[wedg1e]

bga said:

All in all the guy is a god and DS were great. I still get goosebumps when I hear the the simple but effective solo at the end of Tunnel of Love

...as played in the background during one of the bar scenes in 'An Officer & A Gentleman', and not a lot of people realise that...

[minimax]

lazyitus said:

b17nns said: Going Home Probably my favorite track of all time (the live Alchemy version). Yeah, I have the 'Local Hero' CD and there are a few different instrumentals of this tune, aswell as the original.

local hero is a fantastic brilliant choon. made me feel proud to live in newcastle when I was there..until I remembered that I was surrounded by the most awful chavs. however, there were nice parts

and the roads

[bigtone]

I've got all their work, brilliant stuff, and something for all occasions too. In the car at the moment is 'Sailing to Philidelphia' (sp!), which is great to drive to, but you can't beat Brothers in Arms, Private Investigations etc etc

Going to dig up my albums when I get home now!

[beano500]

Hmm?! The "Straits"?


I always thought "Dire" was the right adjective........




Sorry - but I just don't get them!

[charlescrawley]

Alchemy is up there with the greatest live albums ever IMHO... The solo at the end of Sultans of Swing is a particular favourite (see the guitar w**kery thread a few days ago!)

[coopergreen]

John Ilsley,the basest, had a couple of good solo albums too, If you can find them. Brothers in arms was my best album and is in my CD player right now, but agree Going Home is one of the all time best.