Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms Warner Brothers Records, 1985
I’ve liked this band since I first heard “Sultans of Swing” on the radio way back in 1978.
Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Pick Withers (drums and percussion). They were active from 1977 to 1988 and again from 1991 to 1995. Dire Straits are one of the world’s best-selling music artists, with album sales of over 100 million
The following year, the band embarked on their first North American tour. They played 51 sold-out concerts over a 38-day period. “Sultans of Swing” scaled the charts to number four in the United States and number eight in the United Kingdom. I have to admit, that song is still me favorite.
This 1985 album, the one I’ve been playing a lot, is my favorite.
- CD Track List:
- “So Far Away” 5:12
- 2. “Money for Nothing” (Mark Knopfler, Sting) 8:26
- 3. “Walk of Life” 4:12
- 4. “Your Latest Trick” 6:33
- 5. “Why Worry” 8:31
- 6. “Ride Across the River” 6:58
- 7. “The Man’s Too Strong” 4:40
- 8. “One World” 3:40
- 9. “Brothers in Arms” 6:59
- Total time: 55:07
However, I’ve often been tempted by the 2-CD Sultans of Swing: The Very Best of Dire Straits.
Disc one
- “Sultans of Swing” (from Dire Straits, 1978) – 5:50
- “Lady Writer” (from Communiqué, 1979) – 3:49
- “Romeo and Juliet” (from Making Movies, 1980) – 6:05
- “Tunnel of Love” (from Making Movies, 1980) – 8:14
- “Private Investigations” (Edited version) (from Love over Gold, 1982) – 5:54
- “Twisting by the Pool” (from Extended and EPlay, 1983) – 3:36
- “Love over Gold” (live, from Alchemy: Dire Straits Live, 1984) – 3:40
- “So Far Away” (Edited version) (from Brothers in Arms, 1985) – 4:03
- “Money for Nothing” (Radio edit) (from Brothers in Arms, 1985) – 4:09
- “Brothers in Arms” (Edited version) (from Brothers in Arms, 1985) – 4:55
- “Walk of Life” (from Brothers in Arms, 1985) – 4:12
- “Calling Elvis” (Edited version) (from On Every Street, 1991) – 4:41
- “Heavy Fuel” (from On Every Street, 1991) – 5:01
- “On Every Street” (Edited version) (from On Every Street, 1991) – 4:39
- “Your Latest Trick” (live, from On the Night, 1993) – 5:41
- “Local Hero/Wild Theme” (live, from On the Night – 4:23
Disc two (live)
The following tracks were recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall on 23 May 1996 by Mark Knopfler.
- “Calling Elvis” – 9:05
- “Walk of Life” – 5:28
- “Last Exit to Brooklyn” – 2:23
- “Romeo and Juliet” – 7:30
- “Sultans of Swing” – 13:14
- “Brothers in Arms” – 8:54
- “Money for Nothing” – 6:37
Tip the Wink 
I’m a fan. My favorite cd of theirs is Making Movies. Sultans of Swing is probably my least favorite song of theirs.
Two side of the same great band. In Sultans, I like the chord changes, and the line.
BROTHERS IN ARMS is the CD that I have too. I still remember how often you saw them (“Money for Nothing” is the one I remember) in the early days of MTV.
Great Minds think alike. I’ve been listening to my Dire Straits CDs over the last week. I think I’ll listen to Steve’s favorite, MAKING MOVIES, today. I also have ALCHEMY LIVE, a Blu-ray concert video:
Tracklist
1 –The Drifters Intro – Saturday Night At The Movies
2 –Dire Straits Once Upon A Time In The West
3 –Dire Straits Expresso Love
4 –Dire Straits Romeo And Juliet
5 –Dire Straits Private Investigations
6 –Dire Straits Sultans Of Swing
7 –Dire Straits Two Young Lovers
8 –Dire Straits Tunnel Of Love
9 –Dire Straits Telegraph Road
10 –Dire Straits Solid Rock
11 –Dire Straits Going Home – Theme From ‘Local Hero’