Question: Describe to me Dire Straits' place in the Pantheon of Classic Rock

[Help!I'maRock!]

I WILL HARM YOU.

#fuqastrat

 

[Tiltsta]

I’m a fan. I love their early stuff. I don’t really care if others don’t like it, I do and that is good enough for me.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Yeah, some of their earlier stuff is really good, even if it's a bit more ... subtle than a lot of classic rock. Brothers in Arms got a little too poppy for my tastes, although the song, "Brothers in Arms" is really solid.

I think they deserved a spot as some sort of rock royalty. I like that they did NOT sound like most classic rock of the time, of which I was getting bored to tears at the same time. I also like that they told stories in their songs. Telegraph Road remains a favorite. I liked the BIA album, although I agree a couple songs did get a little poppy. But it was the late 80's. Seemed to be happening all over the place.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I will also point out that paint can be quite expressive and exciting. Depends on the application.

 

[shoeless]

I've always appreciated Dire Straits, and more so, Knopfler's playing. They broke out at a time (late 70s) when cranked Marshalls, à la AC/DC, Van Halen, etc. , were all the rage. Hearing Knopfler's clean tone and finger picking style on Sultans was a refreshing change.

 

[vonbladet]

I will also point out that paint can be quite expressive and exciting.

I certainly apologise to any paint or paint-enthusiasts who feel slighted by the framing of this question or poll.

While I'm here, I will remark:

* I am certainly cherishing the many insights, thank you all.
* The UK context was of course mostly punk, which trend they also bucked
* I have a BIT of a blindspot for weatherbeaten troubadours with weatherbeaten troubadour voices singing weatherbeaten troubadour songs of their weatherbeaten troubadour lives (c.f., Thompson, R; Cale JJ)
* Craftsmanship shmaftsmanship
* (Dylan's not on that list - industrial quantities of amphetamines and French symbolist poetry and his own general cussedness turned him swiftly into something very else.)
* I will check the Rockpalast before making a final decision
* My decision will however be final
* As far as I can tell Dire Straits are pretty much off the hipster taste radar - I can only find references in passing on the whole Pitchfork site, for example

 

[Denverdave]

Love Over Gold is a top tier album for me. Telegraph Road has a brilliant end solo that is still one of my all time faves.

I remember hearing 'Sultans Of Swing' and it was one of those 'aha' guitar moments that only happen on rare occasions. Mark is a brilliant player.

 

[reverend1]

Love Over Gold is a top tier album for me. Telegraph Road has a brilliant end solo that is still one of my all time faves.

I remember hearing 'Sultans Of Swing' and it was one of those 'aha' guitar moments that only happen on rare occasions. Mark is a brilliant player.

I spent many months learns Sultans note for note.

 

[dmn23]

They broke out at a time (late 70s) when cranked Marshalls, à la AC/DC, Van Halen, etc. , were all the rage. Hearing Knopfler's clean tone and finger picking style on Sultans was a refreshing change.

I remember hearing 'Sultans Of Swing' and it was one of those 'aha' guitar moments that only happen on rare occasions.

This. Knopfler was 800 times more interesting to me than EVH.

 

[335clone]

I certainly apologise to any paint or paint-enthusiasts who feel slighted by the framing of this question or poll.

While I'm here, I will remark:

* I am certainly cherishing the many insights, thank you all.
* The UK context was of course mostly punk, which trend they also bucked
* I have a BIT of a blindspot for weatherbeaten troubadours with weatherbeaten troubadour voices singing weatherbeaten troubadour songs of their weatherbeaten troubadour lives (c.f., Thompson, R; Cale JJ)
* Craftsmanship shmaftsmanship
* (Dylan's not on that list - industrial quantities of amphetamines and French symbolist poetry and his own general cussedness turned him swiftly into something very else.)
* I will check the Rockpalast before making a final decision
* My decision will however be final
* As far as I can tell Dire Straits are pretty much off the hipster taste radar - I can only find references in passing on the whole Pitchfork site, for example

I hope this helps

I love David's rhythm playing on this (open A, capo @5) as well as Marks fills. The lyrics certainly paint a picture.
I could (and have) listened to this on repeat for quite a long time.





Not bad for a band that is a year old at this point.

 

[Flamencology]

This. Knopfler was 800 times more interesting to me than EVH.

Ditto. Not saying much, though. The EVH vocabulary could be covered pretty thoroughly within just a few minutes. Yeah, “he changed everything!” and “you had to be there!” but meh. Everyone said the same shit about Avatar.

 

[Jbird]

Ditto. Not saying much, though. The EVH vocabulary could be covered pretty thoroughly within just a few minutes. Yeah, “he changed everything!” and “you had to be there!” but meh. Everyone said the same shit about Avatar.

I fell asleep watching Avatar (at home, rental). Never saw the ending. It came on TV awhile back late night, and I fell asleep again right at the same part.

I guess I'll never know how it ends.

 

[Flamencology]

I fell asleep watching Avatar (at home, rental). Never saw the ending. It came on TV awhile back late night, and I fell asleep again right at the same part.

I guess I'll never know how it ends.

And that’s EVH for people who like music for grown-ups.

 

[Jbird]

And that’s EVH for people who like music for grown-ups.

Well, Bill Frisell puts me to sleep, so for me Bill Frisell = Avatar

 

[VoidTerraFirma]

It is possible to express admiration for Mark Knopfler without revealing one’s deep personal insecurities regarding Edward Van Halen.

 

[Help!I'maRock!]

Well, Bill Frisell puts me to sleep, so for me Bill Frisell = Avatar

Sleep well, and dream of large women.

 

[jelloman]

I enjoy the occasional Dire Straits song, but I'm often struck by the feeling that Knopfler is is a deeply talented vituoso player writing boring pop songs because, you know, money...

 

[Knox Harrington]

 

[surfsteve]

this

The first 2 albums are nearly flawless. The rest are still packed with goodness.

I'd say the first 4-5 or so. I've said it before, if you like the debut, listen to JJ Cale's "5" and tell me it wasn't the blueprint for that album.

 

[surfsteve]

#fuqastrat

I actually pulled my strat out of mothballs after a few years and am digging it. There's more than one sound that's hard to get on another guitar. Depending on pedals being used that 5 position switch has utility in the 2, 3 and 4 position.