Brothers in arms 40th anniversary edition

[the visitor]

It's funny, I really like R and J on this release. The national sounds so clear and the instrumental bit at the end is perfect. Love the little attention to detail like how Terry's toms are panned in the mix.

[jf9081]

At first listen I dare say it's the best live recording of Dire Straits.
FABULOUS!

[dmg]

I started listening to San Antonio, amazed by the quality, it certainly offers new perspectives on the songs. Unfortunately, in RATR Live San Antonio, Chris brought the flute sound forward at 09:55, exactly at the moment when Mark makes the lick that signals that the song is going to end, in this case, he anticipated it, this flute sound was always after Mark's lick, who here had to back off, almost he basically didn't even continue.

How powerful this song is live, lucky for those who had the opportunity to witness this atmosphere live at the time

See post 95 on this thread.

Fortunately I don't think anyone will notice unless they've heard multiple versions as we have.

[dmg]

It's funny, I really like R and J on this release. The national sounds so clear and the instrumental bit at the end is perfect. Love the little attention to detail like how Terry's toms are panned in the mix.

I was going to comment on how pleased I am with the mix on R&J too!  The sound of the National on bootlegs has never been great and this has been rectified here.  Now we have the perfect R&J soundboard: vocals when Mark could be bothered and beautiful electric outro (unlike Alchemy).

And yes, this is the best DS live release...by a country mile.  The band, especially Mark, were so far ahead musically of what they were on the LOG tour it makes Alchemy sound naïve.

[TheTimeWasWrong]

It's funny, I really like R and J on this release. The national sounds so clear and the instrumental bit at the end is perfect. Love the little attention to detail like how Terry's toms are panned in the mix.

I was going to comment on how pleased I am with the mix on R&J too!  The sound of the National on bootlegs has never been great and this has been rectified here.  Now we have the perfect R&J soundboard: vocals when Mark could be bothered and beautiful electric outro (unlike Alchemy).

And yes, this is the best DS live release...by a country mile.  The band, especially Mark, were so far ahead musically of what they were on the LOG tour it makes Alchemy sound naïve.

Though I'm super happy with the release (I will comment on that later after a few more listens), I still prefer the LOG tour over the BIA tour. I really don't like the 80s sounds (Expresso Love intro, terrible digital drums, etc.). I think the sax is overused, and I definitely prefer Hal over Jack. I can't stand the guitar solo on Wild West End; it has nothing to do with 'song is king', but even besides that, it's just a terrible solo. Putting the change in amps/effects aside, I think MK's playing in '82/'83 is the best it's ever been.

[Robson]

It's funny, I really like R and J on this release. The national sounds so clear and the instrumental bit at the end is perfect. Love the little attention to detail like how Terry's toms are panned in the mix.

I was going to comment on how pleased I am with the mix on R&J too!  The sound of the National on bootlegs has never been great and this has been rectified here.  Now we have the perfect R&J soundboard: vocals when Mark could be bothered and beautiful electric outro (unlike Alchemy).

And yes, this is the best DS live release...by a country mile.  The band, especially Mark, were so far ahead musically of what they were on the LOG tour it makes Alchemy sound naïve.

I don't agree that Alchemy sounds naive. This album sums up the first period of DS wonderfully.

[Pieter]

It's funny, I really like R and J on this release. The national sounds so clear and the instrumental bit at the end is perfect. Love the little attention to detail like how Terry's toms are panned in the mix.

I was going to comment on how pleased I am with the mix on R&J too!  The sound of the National on bootlegs has never been great and this has been rectified here.  Now we have the perfect R&J soundboard: vocals when Mark could be bothered and beautiful electric outro (unlike Alchemy).

And yes, this is the best DS live release...by a country mile.  The band, especially Mark, were so far ahead musically of what they were on the LOG tour it makes Alchemy sound naïve.

Though I'm super happy with the release (I will comment on that later after a few more listens), I still prefer the LOG tour over the BIA tour. I really don't like the 80s sounds (Expresso Love intro, terrible digital drums, etc.). I think the sax is overused, and I definitely prefer Hal over Jack. I can't stand the guitar solo on Wild West End; it has nothing to do with 'song is king', but even besides that, it's just a terrible solo. Putting the change in amps/effects aside, I think MK's playing in '82/'83 is the best it's ever been.

Agree with wild west end. Jack did a better job with the solo in two young lovers during the last show in Sydney.

Btw, I must say that I really like SOS on this recording!

[herlock]

I love both LOG and BIA tours equally.
No, Alchemy doesn't sound naive. It was more sober, with less cheesy synths. OUATITW is wonderful, TR is strong and emotional, Sultans is best without sax and strong guitar. TOL, although more straightforward than in 85, was still great, with longer sax intro.
The BIA tour has cheesy keyboards, is too 80...but so energetic. BIA was so strong in 85 (but not 86). MFN so powerful. TOL and Sultans so bad ass.
All DS tours were great, each in its own sweet way. I don't think one was better than the other. Just different arrangements. If you are in a "less is more" mood, '79 is perfect. If you are in "over the top" mood, BIA and OES tours rule. If you are in a reasonable mood, Alchemy is the way to go!

[Robson]

I love both LOG and BIA tours equally.
No, Alchemy doesn't sound naive. It was more sober, with less cheesy synths. OUATITW is wonderful, TR is strong and emotional, Sultans is best without sax and strong guitar. TOL, although more straightforward than in 85, was still great, with longer sax intro.
The BIA tour has cheesy keyboards, is too 80...but so energetic. BIA was so strong in 85 (but not 86). MFN so powerful. TOL and Sultans so bad ass.
All DS tours were great, each in its own sweet way. I don't think one was better than the other. Just different arrangements. If you are in a "less is more" mood, '79 is perfect. If you are in "over the top" mood, BIA and OES tours rule. If you are in a reasonable mood, Alchemy is the way to go!

 
I agree.