It’s true, that the music Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits band leader and lead guitarist) writes, does not appeal to everyone. So this kind of music is not for every other person. So I somehow feel I shouldn’t be writing this review, but what the heck!
This album maybe over 20 years old but I still listen to it day after day, year after year, and it still sounds so fresh and appealing. Timeless. Mark uses his guitar as his best voice, as it is often said. If you like the sound of the guitar or you’re a guitarist like me, this album could be of use to you.
What differentiates Mark from any other musician is the blend of vocals and guitar licks. His guitar sets the mood in his songs and his vocals tell you what the situation really is. Dire Straits wouldn’t really need a so called ’’Music Video’’ to be aired on MTV. You can actually get the picture in your mind when you listen to it. Songs like Wild West End, a neat little song that describes a walk in London’s Wild West End. Must be from Mark’s own experiences from the past, as he often tends to write about real life situations that he comes across. Also worth mentioning are songs like Down To The Waterline, Water Of Love and Six Blade Knife, Setting Me Up, and of course, Sultans Of Swing being the major attraction.
Mark Knopfler’s guitar style is unique, something that has kept me interested in guitars and finger picking. To me it’s truly intoxicating guitar, but I wouldn’t know how others feel about it. Mark’s style is derived from the blues guitar style, similar to guitarists like J.J Cale, Chet Atkins, Eric Clapton etc. Those artists are also very similar to Mark Knopfler. But not B.B King, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf? Don’t think so! That’s too blue! Depends really on ’’How blue can you get?’’
To sum it up, the guitaring, the lyrics, the vocals, the whole composition of the songs in this Album, make it the perfect album to listen to any time. And the most important thing, is that this album stays there. If you don’t like it, then you don’t like it, but if you like it, you’ll be attached to it.