Single Handed Sailor is my favourite track from the album. It is my favourite guitar tone of Mark's. When I need to chill when stressed at work this is my go to album.
Small correction: the debut self titled album was released in Feb 1978 followed by Communique (1979), Making Movies (1980), Love Over Gold (1982), Brothers In Arms (1985) and On Every Street (1991).
Barry Beckett of the famous Muscle Shoals Rhythm section played piano/ keyboard on this album, he was also the producer I think. The album was apparently mixed at Muscle shoals after being recorded at Compass Point.
This album got it texture and sound not just from the artistry of the band but also the production by Nashville veterans Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett. Rumor has it that Beckett played piano on the album but credited as "B.Bear" for contractual reasons. The opening track is a master piece of guitar playing; but Mark Knopfler's true tribute to blues-based music came in "Where'd You Think You're Going?". The guitar on it is gut-wrenching agony at the end.... only MK can do justice to it. Again, see Knopfler's visual observations in "Portobello Belle". Also, what most people who listen to Dire Straits agree is the absolute brilliance of Pick Withers' drumming. DS is never the same after he left. I recommend you watch DS early live videos from the 1979 Rockapalast concerts (Germany?); you can see raw DS there and Pick's genius on songs like "Water of Love". Also please devote some time to the technology behind MK's Fender Strat famously envied tone... and how it defines the texture of every DS record. Yes, there was others in the band but the bottom line is DS = MK. Period.
One of the ingredients to a successful album which is not mentioned enough, IMO, is the sequencing of songs which brings synergy to the compilation. Specifically here, the 1rst 3 songs are brilliantly arranged with “News” slowing the tempo to a more contemplative mindset, to a pickup in pace with “Where You Think You’re Going.” The only other album which comes to mind which does this so well is “A Space in Time” by 10 Years After. Hard rock followed by a softer tone then picking up again. Agree that this is much underrated album. Hard for me to select a clear favorite from this group. Did see Mark Knopfler perform his last gig on tour in Sept at Madison Square Garden.
I haven't listened to this album in years, but after seeing your review I added it to my Apple Music playlist and I agree with almost entirely with your review. It was a great follow-up to the debut album, but was very over-looked in the States, Lady Writer was a minor hit on the radio, but that was about it. I know it was going to be a good album when I put it on my turntable for the first time and Once Upon in the West started playing. What a great opening track.
Hi John. I just filmed an 'in the garden' video as well today. Good to hear more about Dire Straits, I'm still working my way through their albums. Haven't got this one yet. Hope the weather stays good for you there.
How funny, I went back to this album several days ago, having been seriously impressed with Knopfler's extraordinarily tasteful guitar work on Slow Train Coming.
Perfect description of Knopfler's guitar work, Dave. He really does make his guitar sing in a way I've never heard from any other guitar player. You hear his guitar playing and you know immediately it's Mark Knopfler. A unique talent to be sure. I can forgive his singing with such guitar playing. ; - )
I think the first album I bought was their debut album on cassette when I was in my early teens, and then I got this album. This was the early nineties, I was always interested in reviews of albums in publications like rough guide ect and I remember Communiqué was considered a carbon copy of the first album, and I agreed then. I actually prefer Communiqué now, and although it doesn't have a hit like Sultans, I think it is a stronger album and Where do you think you're going especially stands out.
was summer of 1979 in island of paros-the beach of nausa village port was full of tourists mainly west germans some British some australians-only me and 3 others athenians friends was Greek tourists-was full of tents and sleeping bags-and we had a tape of communique the new job of d.staits we put in radio tape phone and was listening the music all the tourists came to listen ,all the beach was one company-great memories-great Review nice lp-ps i was 17 years old
I agree with most of your assessment regarding Dire Straits and this particular album with one huge very subjective exception- Lady Writer is to me a completely different sounding song than Sultans- totally different harmony, pitch, melody and lyrics. It’s my personal favorite Dire Straits song of all time- and I view it as pure genius - but again, as you’ve said all along, it’s pure subjectivity. Just my humble opinion.
While I don’t think Communiqué is nearly as good as their debut, I still like it. “Lady Writer” is my favorite song of all time, which alone puts it up there as a top class album. I also really like “Once Upon a Time in the West,” “Angel of Mercy,” “Portobello Belle,” and “Single-Handed Sailor.” Side one isn’t that great to me, but side two is absolutely killer. 4/5 stars from me
What a beautiful day...I've seen this album but never listened, well I don't remember hearing it, I did have some friends that purchased everything by them sooo I may have heard it....cool pic and vid at the end. Hope our weather here in the states gets better I'm ready to hit some tennis balls around! Great review you always give such good insight John. thanks-- Lis
It's a worthy follow up and logical extension of the first, could've easily been a debut double album had it all been written at the same time. I have a fondness for the first, but I think this one is every bit as good as that one. Good review John, thanks :)
Hi, John! It will be interesting to hear your views on Making Movies which as you said is my favourite Dire Straits record. I think I mentioned when you reviewed the debut album that I actually love Communique over Dire Straits debut, though that's still a very good album.
I think it's a bit of a scandal that by far their weakest album Brothers In Arms was such a blockbuster seller, it's so inferior to the first four albums. Every time I hear the Walk Of Life I want to gauge my ears out. :) I go through stages of not listening to some albums for years and then I go back to them and they sound fresh and vibrant again.
For me, nothing on Communique beats Sultans or Waterline, but I enjoy it as a whole more than the debut. Knopfler's guitar tone changed after this album. Picking my favourite Dire Straits album is too hard, but if pressed I probably would go with Making Movies because of Tunnel
Thanks John for another great review. When Communique was released, I for one was glad it sounded so similar to the first LP, nothing at that time sounded like the guitars of Mark and David Knopfler they were great. Making Movies had some great highlights including the exquisite Romeo and Juliet.The following albums were good but for me nothing matched the first three. Cheers.
I think the group lost a little something when David left. Kind of like Tom Fogerty leaving CCR. It might not seem on the surface to be an earth shattering change, but so much of music is kind of undefinable - you just feel it.
John: I own their later albums but not their first two. Which of the first two would you recommend first? Do you favor one over the other? Terrific review, per usual.
All Music got it right absolutely. Finally got this album in the past few months. Almost immediately - completely forgettable. Has a cool sound and sort of moody but songs are second rate at best for the most part. Awesome opening track or two ... fades away quickly.
Single Handed Sailor is my favourite track from the album. It is my favourite guitar tone of Mark's. When I need to chill when stressed at work this is my go to album.
Small correction: the debut self titled album was released in Feb 1978 followed by Communique (1979), Making Movies (1980), Love Over Gold (1982), Brothers In Arms (1985) and On Every Street (1991).
Barry Beckett of the famous Muscle Shoals Rhythm section played piano/ keyboard on this album, he was also the producer I think. The album was apparently mixed at Muscle shoals after being recorded at Compass Point.
Thanks John..totally agree..early DS stuff the best...
Imo the best dire straits album... been in my car cd player for years!!!!🎸
This album got it texture and sound not just from the artistry of the band but also the production by Nashville veterans Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett. Rumor has it that Beckett played piano on the album but credited as "B.Bear" for contractual reasons. The opening track is a master piece of guitar playing; but Mark Knopfler's true tribute to blues-based music came in "Where'd You Think You're Going?". The guitar on it is gut-wrenching agony at the end.... only MK can do justice to it. Again, see Knopfler's visual observations in "Portobello Belle". Also, what most people who listen to Dire Straits agree is the absolute brilliance of Pick Withers' drumming. DS is never the same after he left. I recommend you watch DS early live videos from the 1979 Rockapalast concerts (Germany?); you can see raw DS there and Pick's genius on songs like "Water of Love". Also please devote some time to the technology behind MK's Fender Strat famously envied tone... and how it defines the texture of every DS record. Yes, there was others in the band but the bottom line is DS = MK. Period.
One of the ingredients to a successful album which is not mentioned enough, IMO, is the sequencing of songs which brings synergy to the compilation. Specifically here, the 1rst 3 songs are brilliantly arranged with “News” slowing the tempo to a more contemplative mindset, to a pickup in pace with “Where You Think You’re Going.” The only other album which comes to mind which does this so well is “A Space in Time” by 10 Years After. Hard rock followed by a softer tone then picking up again. Agree that this is much underrated album. Hard for me to select a clear favorite from this group. Did see Mark Knopfler perform his last gig on tour in Sept at Madison Square Garden.
I haven't listened to this album in years, but after seeing your review I added it to my Apple Music playlist and I agree with almost entirely with your review. It was a great follow-up to the debut album, but was very over-looked in the States, Lady Writer was a minor hit on the radio, but that was about it. I know it was going to be a good album when I put it on my turntable for the first time and Once Upon in the West started playing. What a great opening track.
Ron Brown thanks Ron ... I have Making Movies in the car this week so review coming soon!
Making Movies, a very popular album in the States. Looking forward to it.
Hi John. I just filmed an 'in the garden' video as well today. Good to hear more about Dire Straits, I'm still working my way through their albums. Haven't got this one yet. Hope the weather stays good for you there.
Yes me too! Are you working backwards? I would start with the first three :- )
How funny, I went back to this album several days ago, having been seriously impressed with Knopfler's extraordinarily tasteful guitar work on Slow Train Coming.
Yes agree Dave they really lifted Bob's album and I think kind of inspired each other. Precious Angel-Angel of Mercy for example!
Perfect description of Knopfler's guitar work, Dave. He really does make his guitar sing in a way I've never heard from any other guitar player. You hear his guitar playing and you know immediately it's Mark Knopfler. A unique talent to be sure. I can forgive his singing with such guitar playing. ; - )
I think the first album I bought was their debut album on cassette when I was in my early teens, and then I got this album. This was the early nineties, I was always interested in reviews of albums in publications like rough guide ect and I remember Communiqué was considered a carbon copy of the first album, and I agreed then. I actually prefer Communiqué now, and although it doesn't have a hit like Sultans, I think it is a stronger album and Where do you think you're going especially stands out.
was summer of 1979 in island of paros-the beach of nausa village port was full of tourists mainly west germans some British some australians-only me and 3 others athenians friends was Greek tourists-was full of tents and sleeping bags-and we had a tape of communique the new job of d.staits we put in radio tape phone and was listening the music all the tourists came to listen ,all the beach was one company-great memories-great Review nice lp-ps i was 17 years old
I agree with most of your assessment regarding Dire Straits and this particular album with one huge very subjective exception- Lady Writer is to me a completely different sounding song than Sultans- totally different harmony, pitch, melody and lyrics. It’s my personal favorite Dire Straits song of all time- and I view it as pure genius - but again, as you’ve said all along, it’s pure subjectivity. Just my humble opinion.
Hi John do you ever listen to Mark or David Knopfler's solo albums? David has put out some nice stuff in the last few years
While I don’t think Communiqué is nearly as good as their debut, I still like it. “Lady Writer” is my favorite song of all time, which alone puts it up there as a top class album. I also really like “Once Upon a Time in the West,” “Angel of Mercy,” “Portobello Belle,” and “Single-Handed Sailor.” Side one isn’t that great to me, but side two is absolutely killer. 4/5 stars from me
What a beautiful day...I've seen this album but never listened, well I don't remember hearing it, I did have some friends that purchased everything by them sooo I may have heard it....cool pic and vid at the end. Hope our weather here in the states gets better I'm ready to hit some tennis balls around! Great review you always give such good insight John. thanks-- Lis
Thanks Lis. Yes definitely tennis weather. So good to be playing outside again.
Portobello Belle & Angel of Mercy are my ok tracks from the album. The rest is very good IMO 😊
Big fan of you, wish i could have a picture with your autograf on ?
It's a worthy follow up and logical extension of the first, could've easily been a debut double album had it all been written at the same time. I have a fondness for the first, but I think this one is every bit as good as that one. Good review John, thanks :)
Thank you sir. I agree. Time to rediscover Making Movies now!
Another great one, look forward to it! :)
Hi, John! It will be interesting to hear your views on Making Movies which as you said is my favourite Dire Straits record. I think I mentioned when you reviewed the debut album that I actually love Communique over Dire Straits debut, though that's still a very good album.
Yes I am enjoying rediscovering each album, one by one after not listening to them for a few years. Cheers James.
I think it's a bit of a scandal that by far their weakest album Brothers In Arms was such a blockbuster seller, it's so inferior to the first four albums. Every time I hear the Walk Of Life I want to gauge my ears out. :)
I go through stages of not listening to some albums for years and then I go back to them and they sound fresh and vibrant again.
For me, nothing on Communique beats Sultans or Waterline, but I enjoy it as a whole more than the debut. Knopfler's guitar tone changed after this album. Picking my favourite Dire Straits album is too hard, but if pressed I probably would go with Making Movies because of Tunnel
ELO's Balance of Power was partly recorded at Compass Point wasn't it?
Yes you're right. And some of Clapton's Money & Cigarettes.
Thanks John for another great review. When Communique was released, I for one was glad it sounded so similar to the first LP, nothing at that time sounded like the guitars of Mark and David Knopfler they were great. Making Movies had some great highlights including the exquisite Romeo and Juliet.The following albums were good but for me nothing matched the first three. Cheers.
I think the group lost a little something when David left. Kind of like Tom Fogerty leaving CCR. It might not seem on the surface to be an earth shattering change, but so much of music is kind of undefinable - you just feel it.
I agree, they definitely lost that bit of unity.
This is my favourite album!
Good to hear thanks!
John: I own their later albums but not their first two. Which of the first two would you recommend first? Do you favor one over the other? Terrific review, per usual.
Thanks David. Very little between these first two. I would perhaps start with their debut album Dire Straits.
I don't know this lp but you did a good review !!.
Thanks Brad
Just curious, you live in Hungary and not in England?
Anyway, keep up the good work of reviewing great albums!
Hi there. I live in Budapest, Hungary. Thanks and cheers!
All Music got it right absolutely. Finally got this album in the past few months. Almost immediately - completely forgettable. Has a cool sound and sort of moody but songs are second rate at best for the most part. Awesome opening track or two ... fades away quickly.