Private Investigations: The Best of Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler

Performer: Dire Straits
Artist: Emmylou Harris
Producer: Chuck Ainlay; Mark Knopfler; Muff Winwood; Jimmy Iovine; Neil Dorfsman; Mark Knopfler; Chuck Ainlay; Muff Winwood; Jimmy Iovine; Neil Dorfsman; Dire Straits
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Personnel: Dire Straits; Emmylou Harris, Mark Knopfler. Since the 1970s Mark Knopfler has been carving out a niche for himself as a distinctive and much-admired songwriter and guitarist, first with his band Dire Straits and later as a solo artist. This 2-disc set collects many of the highlights from both phases of Knopfler's career. With a deft, fingerpicking style that references bluegrass, jazz, blues, and rock, Knopfler's guitar playing sounds like no one else's. And his literate, evocative pop songs and understated, Dylan-esque vocal delivery are by no means run of the mill either. Nestled between his best-known tunes ("Sultans of Swing;" "Money for Nothing"), are gems like the grooving "Skateaway," the jazzy, minor-key "Your Latest Trick," and the instrumental "Going Home." While PRIVATE INVESTIGATIONS is not comprehensive in terms of either the Dire Straits catalogue or its leader's solo output, it is an excellent sampler of Knopfler's talents.

The U.K.'s Dire Straits became one of the world's most popular rock bands the old-fashioned way, through songwriting and musicianship. When "Sultans of Swing" broke through on both sides of the Atlantic in 1979, the sound suggested Bob Dylan backed by J.J. Cale. It sure didn't sound like anything else on the radio. Mark Knopfler's gruff singing and exquisite guitar playing were critical to the group's sound. The next two records cemented Dire Straits' reputation and bolstered its popularity. 1985's BROTHERS IN ARMS became one of the biggest sellers of the decade. After the band dissolved, Knopfler (who had already done some well regarded soundtrack work) embarked on a solo career, opting for a more low-key approach.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25