Album: Dire Straits

This sounded so fresh in 1978. Beautiful musicianship at a time when a lot of new music was a few chords and a yelp. Water of Love is a masterpiece.

Mark Knopfler plays the best guitar I have ever heard. It's not just the occasional riff in a few songs, his transitions are consistent and amazing. The rest of Dire Straits is great as well, Knopfler's guitar just really stands out.

I grew up listening to this album. One of my all time favorites. All songs in this allbum are great without exception.

I bought this vinyl gem new in 1978 only for Sultans of Swing, never really cared for the rest of the songs....now that I'm in my mid/late fifties i have come to realize that by spinning this album up on the ole turntable, sitting in the sweet spot between the speakers, closing my eyes and giving it a good listen..... I hear something new all the time that i have not heard before in most of the songs. Mark and the boys really made something great here, but it took me a long time to really hear it. In a way I'm glad i had not worn this album out, and that i bought and still have a quality turntable and stylus to keep this vinyl in pristine condition.

Transformative Stratacaster precision. Still mesmorizing...after all these years.

Great album but it's classic rock not pop iTunes!

This album is absolutely great. Every song on here I love and I can't say that about many more albums. Look past Sultans of Swing and really listen to In the Gallery, Setting Me Up, Six Blade Knife, and Down to the Waterline (those in my opinion are the best). And what can I say about Mark's guitar playing and lyrics in this album, it's simply brilliant.

Definitely one of my favourite bands. I always felt that Mark is the most underrated singer/songwriter. I hope that one day people will recognise him not only for his extraordinary guitar playing, but also for his wonderful songwriting. It's a shame Pick left the band, cause his drumming was brilliant. And for heaven's sake, could someone tell the guys from the Rock N' Roll hall of fame to induct these guys already!!!

But I recommend only getting "down to the waterline" and "sultans of swing" the rest didn't make it.

This debut album I must say is one of the Dires Strait's finest. If you plan on only getting "Sultans of Swing," that is great, but the rest of the album is wonderful beyond all comprehension. Listen to "Water of Love" for great slide work, on many of the other songs, Knopfler shows his talent, with his band. All of the songs are equally great, one can't just pass this historic album. Any good guitarist will have this album.