Dire Straits - Dire Straits - SUPER-AUDIO CD [Super Audio CD (SACD)]

Making Movies marks a magnificent turning point in Dire Straits' career. Considered by many fans to be the group's most complete album, the 1980 set witnesses leader Mark Knopfler greatly expanding his songwriting palette and setting his storytelling amidst more complex, involving arrangements. Dire Straits also benefits from crucial contributions from Bruce Springsteen pianist Roy Bittan and the departure of rhythm guitarist David Knopfler. The songs spark with a melange of poetry, passion, and cohesion that engages the senses and begs to be experienced again and again.You know you're in the presence of sonic greatness as soon as the first few seconds of the opening 'Tunnel of Love' pass, as the introductory passage built on organ and piano - new additions to Dire Straits' palette - intertwine with the unmistakable coil-spring twang of Knopfler's guitar. The three-dimensional, full-bodied presentation of the latter instrument on this Mobile Fidelity SACD is alone worth the price of admission. Crisp, rich, and balanced, the sound brings Knopfler's Fender Vibrolux and Music Man HD130 amplifiers into your room. The romanticism of Bittan's piano, precision timekeeping of drummer Pick Withers, and steady roll of bassist John Illsley come across with similar potency, scale, and verve.Always more about the whole than the sum of their individual parts, Dire Straits demonstrate that while Knopfler is the lynchpin, this record is a true band effort. Bittan's role cannot be overstated. His melodicism poetically complements Knopfler's subtle staccato rhythms and more than makes up for the exit of David Knopfler. Expansive and cinematic, the aptly titled Making Movies puts a premium on interrelated subjects (love, relationships, heartbreak) and deep-seated emotions that play out in heartfelt lyrics, intense singing, and epic frameworks. Everything clicks.The album's power isn't l

Love Over Gold is all about contrast, tension, and crafty composition. Dire Straits' fourth album finds the band continuing to evolve by welcoming increasingly bold arrangements and exploring moody variations. Parts edgy and sharp, and part seductive and relaxed, the five lengthy songs on Love Over Gold sprawl out like a long, winding road cutting through a pastoral landscape. The addition of a new rhythm guitarist, Hal Lindes, encourages deeper atmospheric interplay while the presence of engineer Neil Dorfsman - his first appearance in what would be a long string of collaborations with Mark Knopfler - ensures stunning sonic properties that now come to life like never before.On this audiophile disc, everything Knopfler does seemingly turn to gold. Gearheads will hear the unique characteristics afforded by his use of a Mesa Boogie Mark II guitar amplifier (soon again employed on Brothers in Arms) and carefully chosen selection of Schecter Stratocasters, 1937 National steel guitar, and Ovation six- and twelve-string models. Reference-level separation and lifelike imaging place Knopfler and company in your room, while tube-like warmth, spaciousness, and airiness causes the music to breathe anew. This SACD will be in your rotation for months.It doesn't take long to realize Love Over Gold is like no other Dire Straits album - and a staunch proclamation of independence from a band that continued to take longer creative strides with each successive project. Fearlessly extending over metaphoric hills, valleys, and plains for nearly 14-and-a-half minutes, the opening 'Telegraph Road' is a guitar hero's dream and exhilarating showcase for Lindes' give-and-take capabilities. In tandem with keyboardist Alan Clark, Lindes provides the ideal foil for not only Knopfler but the long-time rhythm section of bassist John Illsley and drummer Pick Withers.Taking it's time to arrive at des

Recorded live at the O2 Arena, Prague on May 7th, 2016, Hans Zimmer Live In Prague features the concert recording of the world-renowned film music composers acclaimed European tour. Accompanied by a powerhouse 72-piece ensembleincluding a full band, orchestra, choir, and special guest guitarist Johnny Marr. Zimmer leads a breathtaking journey through his most iconic film scores. The performance is a multi-instrumental tour de force, with the maestro himself handling various instruments throughout the evening.This setlist features medleys and arrangement of Zimmer greatest contribution to cinema, including The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception and Interstellar, Pirates of The Caribbean, Gladiator and more. It's a spectacle for both film enthusiasts and music lovers alike, offering a rare opportunity to experience these modern masterpieces brought to life on a massive scale.Released by Evolution Limited as part of the Front Row Center collection, this Double SACD Hybrid Multi-channel set offers the definitive audio experience of this landmark performance. The high-resolution preserves the immense dynamic range and sonic complexity of the massive ensemble with absolute fidelity. Featuring a 5.1 multi-channel surround mix that faithfully recreates the immersive acoustic space of the O2 Arena, this is the most transparent and detailed presentation of a modern cinematic masterpiece.Note These Hybrid SACD discs are compatible with all standard CD and SACD players. Details 1. Driving (Driving Miss Daisy) / Discombobulate (Sherlock Holmes) / Zoosters Breakout (Madagascar) 2. Crimson Tide / 160 BPM (Angels and Demons) 3. Gladiator Medley - Live 4. Chevaliers de Sangreal - Live (The Da Vinci Code) 5. The Lion King Medley Circle of Life (Prelude) / King of Pride Rock (Reprise) 6. Pirates of the Caribbean Medley - Live 7. You're So Cool - Live (True Romance) 1