Dire Straits: Mark Knopfler (vocals, guitar); David Knopfler (guitar, keyboards); Hal Lindes (guitar, background vocals); Guy Fletcher, Phil Palmer (guitar); Paul Franklin (pedal steel guitar); Chris White (saxophone); Alan Clark (keyboards); John Illsley (bass, background vocals); Pick Withers, Terry Williams, Chris Whitten (drums); Danny Cummings (percussion).
Additional personnel includes: Sting, Jeff Porcaro, Joop de Korte.
Producers include: Barry Becket, Jimmy Iovine, Jerry Wexler, Guy Fletcher, Muff Winwood.
All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.
British release features a bonus CD with seven live tracks: "Calling Elvis," "Walk Of Life," "Last Exit To Brooklyn," "Romeo & Juliet," "'Sultans Of Swing," "Brothers In Arms" and "Money For Nothing."
This solid collection is a compelling career overview of one of rock's most distinctive groups. Led by Mark Knopfler, whose deadpan vocal style and stunning guitar technique characterize the band's sound, Dire Straits burst on the scene in 1978 with "Sultans of Swing." This VERY BEST OF begins there (even amid the ensemble's later hits, the lead-off track's clean shuffle rhythm and minor-key melody still dazzles) and continues all the way to cuts from the group's 1991 release, ON EVERY STREET, and their 1993 live outing, ON THE NIGHT.
The Dylan-esque narrative of "Romeo and Juliet," from MAKING MOVIES, is one of the early highlights here. At the collection's heart are the tracks from the 1985 blockbuster BROTHERS IN ARMS, including the lamenting "So Far Away," bopping "Walk of Life," and the irrepressible "Money for Nothing." Beyond showcasing Knopfler's excellent songwriting, this album is graced by his light, technically precise guitar technique (he finger-picks all of his electric leads). More comprehensive than their previous greatest-hits package, MONEY FOR NOTHING, SULTANS OF SWING is an excellent introduction to Dire Straits.
1. Sultans Of Swing
2. Lady Writer
3. Romeo And Juliet
4. Tunnel Of Love
5. Private Investigations
6. Twisting By The Pool
7. Love Over Gold
8. So Far Away
9. Money For Nothing
10. Brother In Arms
11. Walk Of Life
12. Calling Elvis
13. Heavy Fuel
14. On Every Street
15. Your Latest Trick
16. Local Hero / Wild Thme
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