Recorded on New Year’s Day 1981, this concert captures the original four-piece lineup of Dire Straits, before rhythm guitarist David Knopfler departed to pursue a solo career. Shortly thereafter, his brother, Mark, would take control of the band, and eventually parlay his piloting role into a successful solo career of his own.
Since no official live recording of the original band was ever released (though there have been some unofficial bootleg circulations), this five-song show is important as documentation of the beginning of Mark Knopfler’s extraordinary musical talent. All the…entire summary
Mark Knopfler - lead guitar, lead vocals
David Knopfler - rhythm guitar
John Illsley - bass
Pick Withers - drums
Recorded on New Year’s Day 1981, this concert captures the original four-piece lineup of Dire Straits, before rhythm guitarist David Knopfler departed to pursue a solo career. Shortly thereafter, his brother, Mark, would take control of the band, and eventually parlay his piloting role into a successful solo career of his own.
Since no official live recording of the original band was ever released (though there have been some unofficial bootleg circulations), this five-song show is important as documentation of the beginning of Mark Knopfler’s extraordinary musical talent. All the early hits are here, including "Lady Writer," "Down To The Waterline" and ,of course, "Sultans Of Swing," with Mark Knopfler's now distinctive extended guitar solo.
There is a noticeable lack of energy here, possibly because they knew the lineup was changing and simply wanted to finish the tour. It's hard to say. What's clear, however, is the fact that after Mark took over as official band leader, the group would go on to release two of the greatest studio albums of the 1980s: Making Movies and the legendary Brothers in Arms.
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