DIRE STRAITS.

In Dire Straits, the guitar continues where the vocals leave off. Mark Knopfler's recognizable touch, a nimble rhythm section, and songs full of subtle observations give the music its character. Even when the arrangement becomes grand, there remains room for a single note.

Start with Dire Straits and Communique. Follow the guitar first, and then listen to the bass and drums: their movement together keeps the stories going.

A LP by Dire Straits gives ample space to the interplay between a narrative voice and guitars that construct their own phrases. One part can color the verse, a second can sharpen the rhythm, and a solo can briefly continue the story without words. The band does not need to constantly play at full volume to create a grand soundscape.

Listen to the calm surrounding the attacks and to the subtle movements of the bass and drums. This gives a longer song its own tension, even when the tempo does not change significantly. Studio and live releases showcase different facets of this approach. The order on vinyl helps to give the more subtle passages just as much attention as the most well-known riffs.

Making Movies and Love Over Gold open up broader forms. Songs are given time to develop their mood, with instrumental passages that carry the story forward.

Brothers In Arms takes the band world to a bigger sound. Read the Brothers In Arms Album Story and then continue to On Every Street.

Through rock and blues, you discover the language behind the songs. With Mark Knopfler and Eric Clapton, you can listen further to two very different guitar voices.

The artist story of Dire Straits connects the albums with the development of the band. Money For Nothing offers a different introduction: a selection that can lead you back to the individual records.

Discover the editions of Dire Straits at SJELF: Brothers In Arms and Communique. View the available vinyl edition per record.