Just finally got around to reading John Illsley's auto biography. I really like him and find most background stories of bands interesting, but I do generally wonder how Dire Straits became so popular, so easily and quickly. I love the usual hits like everyone else. But I have ventured off in to the albums as I've been reading the book and just find it all very MOR. It never really gets going. Knopfler has a sweet sound and technique, but it doesn't change. I feel he is a movie score musician who broke through to the mainstream. What am I missing??
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I’m less of a fan of Brothers In Arms and On Every Street, they are beginning to sound like Knopfler solo albums, but there are still some good songs on them.
Or just get Alchemy.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Personally, Knopfler was the reason I picked up a guitar (Money For Nothing, specifically), and I don't think there's a track on any of their albums that I'd skip.
Brilliant lyrics which tell a story, fantastic melodies, incredible touch on the guitar. (Plus usage of the volume pedal which makes Hammett's use of wah seem like an afterthought.)
But hey, no-one's saying you have to like them.
As for "when am I ready?" You'll never be ready. It works in reverse, you become ready by doing it. - pmbomb
The version of Sultans of Swing on here just explodes - and that breakdown in the middle and they bring it back up.. just astonishing.
My fave moment on the whole album is that little riff Knopfler plays on
Tunnel of Love after the "From Cullercoats to Whitley Bay..." - it's like a mini celtic guitar figure thing he does...
Romeo and Juliet, Private Investigations... good grief - they did some good stuff.
It's definitely there Get Yer Ya Yas moment - a band at its absolutely peak firing on all cylinders.
A movie score musician who broke thru to the mainstream - good god..- that ain't working, that's the way you do it - you play your guitar on the MTV... yeah right
Much like Satriani, I feel Knopfler is a case of familiarity breeds contempt. You've heard 'em so much you forget just how good they are.
* Digitally recorded, Digitally mixed, Digitally mastered.
Brothers in arms is an excellent album. Never really got in to any of the others.
You don't need to like them.
(Asking for a friend.)
Much as he seems to be a nice guy, I suspect Knopfler is rather driven by his vision for the songs and may be difficult to work with. His brother David was the first casualty - after the second album - and John Illsley the only remaining original member, other than Knopfler, by Brothers In Arms. On Every Street in particular really does sound basically like one of Knopfler’s solo albums.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Bonus question: What was the last album I ever bought? Well, there were two, both new, then-unknown, bands who had put out promising debut albums ... Cold Chisel and Dire Straits.
(Yes, it's been a while since I bought an album. Um .. 40 years, give or take.)
but I guess you've got to be driven / have a vision in some ways if you want to make it big.
I saw Knopfler on the Notting Hillbillies tour - very awkward - he wanted to play stuff from their album - and the audience shouted themselves hoarse requesting Dire Straits songs...it was a long night.
Personally I find the Knopfler solo albums a bit dull - one of the few songs off 'em I like is What It Is from the first album - probably cos it's the closest to his old band's material.
I'm not sure Illsley would agree with some of the opinions on members leaving and why, I wasn't there obviously so can't comment. However it just seems getting so big, so fast scared off David and eventually Pick in the end, I think Pick had literally had enough of the whole album/tour cycle and also struggled with a couple of the recordings. I'm not sure Mark was too fussed of course as the band is built around his skill as a guitarist and songwriter. Whether there were personal gripes about control or songwriting who knows but it's not mentioned.
Not everyone has to like them, but the first 4 albums and then Alchemy have some amazing songs and guitar playing on them. Making Movies sounds especially great, only realised recently it was Iovine!!
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes...
@thomasross20