How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Weak
Value for Money
Advantages:
Some very good studio work, Knopfler's live guitar playing outstanding
Disadvantages:
Most of the live tracks ruin the flow of the album
Recommend to potential buyers:
no
Full review
On the whole, Sultans of Swing is quite a good album, marred by a few live tracks. When this album was put together, nobody suggested that live and studio recorded tracks wouldn't go well together, and as a result the album flits rather ungracefully from one song to another. Add to this the (very annoying) second CD in the special edition, and you'll wonder why you spent your money on this set. The second CD features Mark Knopfler (minus Dire Straits) at the Albert Hall, playing some old Dire Straits numbers. The standard of Knopfler's playing is, as usual, outstanding, but the lyrics and the way in which they are uncomfortably shoehorned around the live tracks will leave many Dire Straits fans looking for the eject button. That said, there are some good songs on here, including the (obligatory) Money for Nothing, but do yourself a favour, buy Dire Straits albums without the live tracks on.
More details
How does it rate alongside the competition
Unmemorable
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Good
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