His melodicism poetically complements Knopfler's subtle staccato rhythms and more than makes up for the exit of David Knopfler. 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.Īlways 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. Crisp, rich, and balanced, the analog sound brings Knopfler's Fender Vibrolux and Music Man HD130 amplifiers into your room. The three-dimensional, full-bodied presentation of the latter instrument on this Mobile Fidelity LP is alone worth the price of admission. 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. This is what audiophile recordings are all about. The extra-wide 45RPM grooves on this edition provide previously unattainable detail, information, and soundstaging. Produced by Jimmy Iovine and Knopfler, the record – which contains many Springsteen-esque elements – features the cleanliness and clarity that have long been Dire Straits trademarks. Mastered from the original master tapes and pressed at RTI, Mobile Fidelity's 180g 45RPM 2LP set of Making Movies breathes with reference-caliber airiness, spaciousness, dynamics, and separation.

Making movies dire straits album cover