Dire Straits

1995 - Live at the BBC

Tracks: 8, total time: 46:04, year: 1995, genre: Rock

Originally Released August 29, 1995

AMG EXPERT REVIEW: Alwaysa quiet act, Dire Straits dissolved quietly in 1995 as Mark Knopfler prepared his first full-fledged solo album. Meanwhile, this documentary effort, the group's third live recording, appeared tochronicle their early days. Most of it was recorded in July 1978,so it is in effect a concert version of the self-titled debut album. Tacked on at the end is a 12-minute version of "Tunnel of Love" from 1981, bringing the total time to 46 minutes. It's a modest effort from a modest band and, in that sense, a better representation of them than Alchemy or On the Night, both of which reflected their worldwide popularity. -- William Ruhlmann

Amazon.com Customer Review
Giving the old cow a last milk - not even for hard-core fans, August 26, 2002
Reviewer: Mr Buxton "Olly Buxton" (Highgate, UK)
This record is interesting only for how muchworse it is than the studio album from which six of the eight tracks come. there is absolutely no need to buy this record; buy Dire Straits' self titled first album, and you have superior versions of nearly every track here.

It's difficult to conceive thatan artistic impetus drove the release of this record - it soundstinny, it's poorly mixed, Knopfler's guitar tone [stinks](it's mostly panned hard left, drenched in echo, and lacks any bass or midrange) and the frisson you usually associate with a live recording - and which, oddly, the studio album has in spades - is almost completely absent. The band generally sound rubbish: John Illsley's bass clunks along like a poorly tuned diesel tractor, and David Knopfler can only strum along inexpertly like the irritatingkid brother you haven't the heart to kick out of the band. Whichis exactly what he was.

Finally, Knopfler's bantering skillsare dreadful (e.g. "Ok, well, this is a song called "Water of Love". A strange idea, but it's maybe one you want to think about".)Sure, Mark.

Nope, the single reason for this recording gracing the stores is that the goose which had, up until the end of theeighties, been laying golden eggs, was dead and buried. But thisis no golden goose. It's a turkey.

Amazon.com Customer Review
Giving the old cow a last milk - not even for hard-core fans, August 26, 2002
Reviewer: Mr Buxton "Olly Buxton" (Highgate, UK)
This record is interesting only for how much worse it is than the studio album from which six of the eight tracks come. there isabsolutely no need to buy this record; buy Dire Straits' self titled first album, and you have superior versions of nearly everytrack here.
It's difficult to conceive that an artistic impetusdrove the release of this record - it sounds tinny, it's poorly mixed, Knopfler's guitar tone [stinks](it's mostly panned hard left, drenched in echo, and lacks any bass or midrange) and the frisson you usually associate with a live recording - and which, oddly, the studio album has in spades - is almost completely absent.The band generally sound rubbish: John Illsley's bass clunks along like a poorly tuned diesel tractor, and David Knopfler can onlystrum along inexpertly like the irritating kid brother you haven't the heart to kick out of the band. Which is exactly what he was.

Finally, Knopfler's bantering skills are dreadful (e.g. "Ok, well, this is a song called "Water of Love". A strange idea, but it's maybe one you want to think about".) Sure, Mark.

Nope,the single reason for this recording gracing the stores is thatthe goose which had, up until the end of the eighties, been laying golden eggs, was dead and buried. But this is no golden goose.It's a turkey.

Amazon.com Customer Review
Fine material of Early Dire Straits, December 4, 1999
Reviewer: A music fan
Alchemy, the band's double live CD, is a bit too polished for my taste.I prefer this earlier recording with the original line up (on 7of the 8 tracks). The material covered is primarily from the band's first two albums, so if you're not a fan of Dire Straits or Communique, you probably won't enjoy this set.
While Alchemy certainly has its moments, the album sounds like their studio recording with a lack of spontanity. This album, on the other hand, captures the band in their earlier, rawer incarnation.

Half.com Album Credits
Jeff Griffin, Producer
Michael Appleton, Producer

Album Notes
Dire Straits: Mark Knopfler, Hal Lindes (vocals, guitar); John Illsley (vocals, bass); David Knopfler (guitar, keyboards); Alan Clark (keyboards); Pick Withers (drums).

Recorded live on July 22, 1978 & January 31, 1981.
Includes liner notes by Charlie Gillett. YEAR: 1995

1.	4:11	Down to the Waterline
2.	3:48	Six Blade Knife
3.	5:30	Water of Love
4.	5:13	Wild West End
5.	6:39	Sultans of Swing
6.	5:27	Lions
7.	3:21	What's the Matter Baby?
8.	11:55	Tunnel of Love

Category: rock - Discid: 5e0aca08

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