Following the launch of the Universal “Deluxe Edition” range in 2001, it has become increasingly normal practice for classic albums – and sometimes not-so-classic albums – to be reissued in an expanded format.
At the affordable end of the deluxe reissue scale, such releases normally take the form of a 2CD set, combining the original album of the chosen release with a disc’s worth of b-sides and/or rare and unreleased material. Most of the big bands of the 70s, 80s and 90s have been awarded deluxe reissues, but for years, there had been one very notable absence: Dire Straits.
Today marks the release of a 3CD edition of ‘Brothers In Arms’, coupling the original album with two discs worth of previously unreleased live material. The lack of extra songs – b-sides and the like – very much ties in with one school of thought as to why Dire Straits hadn’t been at the forefront of the reissue market. With the ‘Brothers’ reissue being overseen by keyboard player Guy Fletcher, that leads us to the second – and most likely – reason why there was such a delay for expanded reissues on the market for this multi-million selling band: frontman Mark Knopfler just isn’t interested in looking back, or particularly interested in archive releases of any kind.
It’d be fantastic if the Channel 4 filmed ‘Live In ’85’ show from Wembley Arena was released on CD/DVD/SD blu ray…but, in the meantime, the multi-disc ‘Brothers In Arms’ reissue is very welcome.
Looking ahead, it’s not likely we’ll see any more Dire Straits reissues in the immediate future, but if any of the other albums would benefit from a deluxe reissue, it’s surely the debut.
A master class in narrative songwriting and with music capturing a classic sound – with strong undertones of JJ Cale and other 70s greats – the Dire Straits debut is often understated in its approach, especially compared to ‘Brothers In Arms’, but every track is a winner. What’s more, there’s a decent amount of period material that’s never been issued on CD, not least of all the single version of ‘Sultans of Swing’, which actually features an entirely different vocal take, unique to the 7” and 12” releases. In addition, there are four demos recorded with Charlie Gillett in the producer’s chair that give another great insight into the making of a classic record. Although these belatedly appeared on a vastly overpriced 7” for Record Store Day in 2015, they’ve never been released on an affordable or widely circulated disc. With the further inclusion of the early BBC Session and a hard to find recording from the ‘Live at The Hope & Anchor’ LP (which has also never seen the light of day on CD), a deluxe version of ‘Dire Straits’ could be an essential collection filler.
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Disc One: The Original Album plus Extras
Down To The Waterline
Water of Love
Setting Me Up
Six Blade Knife
Southbound Again
Sultans of Swing
In The Gallery
Wild West End
Lions
Sultans of Swing (7” version)*
Sultans of Swing (extended 12” version; different to LP)*
Eastbound Train (Live At The Hope & Anchor)*
Disc Two: Extras
Eastbound Train (1977 demo)**
Real Girl (1977 demo)**
Sultans of Swing (Charlie Gillett Session)*
Water of Love (Charlie Gillett Session)*
Down To The Waterline (Charlie Gillett Session)*
Wild West End (Charlie Gillett Session)*
Down To The Waterline (BBC Session)
Six Blade Knife (BBC Session)
Water of Love (BBC Session)
Wild West End (BBC Session)
Sultans of Swing (BBC Session)
Lions (BBC Session)
What’s The Matter Baby? (BBC Session)
*previously released on vinyl only
**previously unreleased officially