Makin' Gold (Alchemy - Dire Straits Live - Two Cd Set)

Member Name: salgirl

Product:	Alchemy - Dire Straits Live - Two Cd Set
Date:	15/02/01 (43 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A rare live album from Dire Straits

Disadvantages: A tad restrained

This is a rare glimpse at the be-sweatband-headed maestro playing live if you're lucky enough to have the vid, but the album does the job too.

This has to have the BEST version of "Sultans of Swing" I have heard ever. Maybe the only problem with it is that it is very controlled. Y'know you're expecting these guys to really rock it out, but it's actually quite choreographed. It doesn't detract from the quality sound, but having seen them live, you realise that this isn't them going off on a version you've never heard before. Apparently that's how Mr. Knopfler likes it, and seeing as how he's a minor rock God, I won't argue.

No one quite plucks the strings the way that MK does, and the distinctive sound is used to it's full effect here. All the classic tracks (up until this point - it's about half way through their playing career) are here for your delectation. It's a double CD set so I'll just mention a few : Expresso Love, Romeo & Juliet, Love Over Gold, Telegraph Road and Solid Rock. Pick all the really good tracks off of their first three albums and you'll pretty much have the playlist.

This is good quality, professional musicianship, but don't expect any real surprises or new edges to the live stuff. It doesn't happen.

Summary: