Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Dire StraitsBrand: DIRE STRAITS
Edition: Music CD
Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2000-09-19
Music Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Soundtracks:
- So Far Away
- Money For Nothing
- Walk of Life
- Your Latest Trick
- Why Worry
- Ride Across The River
- The Man's Too Strong
- One World
- Brothers In Arms
Free Music Notes for Brothers in Arms
Free Music Review: Well Recorded , Well Performed - Showcases the Band as a Whole
Hit: 5 Stars
During the 1985 Live Aid concert, Dire Straits' live performances of "Money for Nothing" and "Sultans of Swing" would become one of the highlights of the Live Aid Concert. It was also the momentum from Live Aid that propelled "Money For Nothing" to #1 song status. It was the success of this song that would also launch 1985's "Brothers in Arms" to #1 album status. Throughout their career, Dire Straits, they would do things much differently than many of the other bands during the "British Invasion" that was taking place. In an era where Punk and New Wave were taking center stage, Dire Straits were doing things the old-fashioned way: a combination of Classic Rock, Blues, Folk, and even some Country. "Brothers in Arms" would utilize this unique blend of genres that has been a staple of their musical careers. Not only would "Brothers in Arms" become a huge commercial success - it would also be a high quality effort.
For the most part, Dire Straits is the brainchild of its lead guitarist and vocalist - Mark Knopfler. Throughout his career, Knopfler would assemble a group of musicians that would comprise Dire Straits. While the only constant besides Knopfler has been Bassist John Illsley, Knopfler would succeed at bringing in high quality musicians to support the unique blend of music he would write. Knopfler is widely considered one of music's legendary guitarists. While "Brothers in Arms" showcases why Knopfler is worthy of this honor, there are also many high quality instrumentation efforts by the other members of the band. In addition to an album that is well written from both and musical and lyrical standpoint, it is going to be the great performances by Dire Straits as a whole that is going to make this a very special album.
"Brothers in Arms" is also a famous album because it was one of the first albums to be released in an "all digital format". Back in 1985, "Brothers in Arms" was one of the best sounding albums around from a recording standpoint. Now, add the fact that "Brothers in Arms" has been remastered and you really hear the difference. The music on this collection is going to reflect this quality - having an almost "three dimensional effect".
While "Money for Nothing" is probably the band's best-known song, there are many other tracks on this album. While one can make the argument that "Brothers in Arms" shows a lack of contuinity from a musical standpoint, Dire Straits gives "A1" performances on just about every track. What the album lacks in musical continuity, it makes up for in musical depth. Here is a track by track review.
"So Far Away": When this song was played on the radio, it didn't blow me away. Listening to this remastered version gives me a new appreciation. Here is a song where Knopfler is not the star - John Islley provides some terrific Bass work (especially the opener) while Guy Fletcher and Alan Clark provide some terrific Keyboard work.
"Money For Nothing": This is the legendary song co-written and co-performed by Sting. This is the full version of the song - not the badly butchered radio-edit that was heard on radio (and unfortunately was included on the Dire Straits compilation "Sultans of Swing: The Very Best of Dire Straits"). Several factors are going to highlight this very complete song: The unique blend of vocals between Knopfler and Sting; the legendary guitar work by Knopfler; some outstanding drum work (particularly right before Knopfler's legendary guitar solo), and of course, the humorous lyrics from the standpoint of two blue-collar workers making fun of Rock Stars (this song seems to have stood the test of time).
"Walk of Life": This is the one "pop" song on the album. Many criticize this song because of the use of the electric organ, but I think it blends well with Knopfler's guitar chords. While it isn't the best track on the collection, it does provide a bit of a retro sound and show Dire Straits' versatility.
"Your Latest Trick": This has become a legendary song by Dire Straits. Knopfler's guitar won't be the star here. The horn work is going to really distinguish this song - combined with Knopfler's vocals of course. It has an R&B feel to open the song. This is also a well written song as well.
"Why Worry": Knopfler's guitar work is outstanding - you can almost pick it out note by note. This is the album's longest track - and well worth the 8+ minutes of music - particularly the instrumental to close this song. This is really good stuff.
"Ride Across the River": This is a very underrated song. The song opens with a cross of an African and Latin sound. Knopfler's guitar takes on almost a "Carlos Santana" feel in this song. There are also some clever use of horns in this song.
"The Man's Too Strong": This is a song where Dire Straits show some of the Folk Music influence. Knopfler's guitar work is again outstanding.
"One World": This is a Bluesy track with a touch of Country. Nice guitar work by Knopfler and nice Bass work by Illsley.
"Brothers in Arms": At first I asked myself how this song ever became the title track for such a great album - I felt it was too "soft". However, the more I listen to it - the more I liked it. Once again, Knopfler's guitar almost has a "Carlos Santana" feel to it. The song has a bit of a dark side to it when you compare it to the upbeat "Money for Nothing" and "Walk of Life"
The liner notes contain all of the lyrics to it. Some of the credits are incomplete (namely the horn credits). Overall, this is not just a great recording, but a great body of work. It is one of the album's you will appreciate more each time you hear it. Highly recommended.
Brothers in Arms Poster
Limited edition Japanese pressing of the 1985 album. Brothers in Arms brought the atmospheric, jazz-rock inclinations of Love Over Gold into a pop setting, resulting in a surprise international best-seller. Of course, the success of Brothers in Arms was helped considerably by the clever computer-animated video for Money for Nothing', a sardonic attack on MTV. But what kept the record selling was Mark Knopfler's increased sense of pop songcraft - 'Money for Nothing' had an indelible guitar riff, 'Walk of Life' is a catchy up-tempo boogie variation on 'Sultans of Swing', and the melodies of the bluesy 'So Far Away' and the down-tempo, Everly Brothers-style 'Why Worry' were wistful and lovely. Dire Straits had never been so concise or pop-oriented, and it wore well on them. Vertigo. 2005.Propelled by Mark Knopfler's literate songs, gruff vocals, and spidery guitar work, Dire Straits had overcome initial skepticism for their resistance to '70s new wave accents in favor of a rootsy traditionalism. This 1985 album captures the band consolidating a far more epic style than the concise shuffles and ballads that the original scrappy quartet had reeled off, their ambitions fueled by the larger canvas afforded by the CD. One of the first albums to exploit the format's longer playing time, Brothers in Arms was initially released in separate versions for CD/cassette and edited LP, and the band became digital poster boys on a world tour sponsored by CD hardware interests. Critics that had once warmed to the band sniffed at the marketing, but the album remains their best known, noteworthy for the MTV staple "Money for Nothing" and the breezy rock shuffle "Walk of Life," as well as for the wistful "So Far Away," the plot-driven narratives of "Ride Across the River," and the title song. --Sam Sutherland
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