Album : Dire Straits

This was one of those records that I knew was special from the first time I listened to it. A friend brought it back from a trip he took to England. He said “CB you gotta hear this band. They are right up your alley”. He was right.

It is so cool when you hear new music like this for the first time. Totally unaware of what you are going to hear and then you get hit with this and you are captured by the sound. I could hear J.J. Cale and Clapton all over it. Dire Straits were their own brand. Tasty, subtle guitar licks, great vocals and lyrics that conjured up images and emotions. The music set the mood. Bluesy, jazzy (little country) night music. At times a filmic/soundtrack feel.

I still get jacked with the first cut. It sets the tone for what’s to come which is more great music. I know albums are made up of individual cuts (very observant CB) but this has always been one big cut for me. I love albums and this is a real good one. Lots of Mark Knopfler on guitar and that’s a good thing. He has a good sound.

I forget what was popular at the time but this album was popular with me. Not a bad cut. ‘Southbound Again’ really stirs up the Cale thing. Great groove. Killer tune!! ‘Sultans’ just sets a mood. Never tire of it. Like Neil Young sings on one of his tunes “What we have here is a perfect track”. ‘Gallery’ is another good one with Knopfler laying down some solid playing. ‘Wild West End’ (love Knopfler’s work on this one.) Beautiful is one of the coolest songs in my music stack. I still get taken in by this one. An early Springsteen/Willy DeVille feel with all those great images that the lyrics conjure up. Absolutely love it.

Sorry folks I tried to keep it short but I do like this record. I’ve heard some great debut albums but this is up there as one of the best in my library. I mean how could they be this good out of the gate? They were wood shedding somewhere. The proof is in the repeated listenings. Slap on some headphones and give it a listen. Some good music going on in this album. What a band. what a sound. They have more outstanding albums but this was the start for me. Fantastic!

“Now my Conductress on the #19 she was a honey”