1982 "Telegraph Road "shrinks the world
If I remember rightly, it was Rich (the Grass Snake) who introduced me to Dire Straits - though I wonder if he would admit it today. By the time of the third album I was well hooked on the combination of Mark Knoplfer's guitar work, and his resolutely working class North Eastern vocals.
"Makin' Movies" included "Tunnel of Love" and "Romeo and Juliet" but my favourite from this album is probably "Skateaway", a subtle and sophisticated soundtrack to Christmas 1980.
And then in late 1982 they came out with "Love Over Gold"; just in time to accompany me on my flight to Australia. It's made for an air flight. The opening minute blends in with the atmosphere of a darkened plan cabin. You look out of the window to find a storm raging below, but the 747 flies serenely above it. And by the end of the track you have knocked another 14 minutes off the journey.
After this album Dire Straits became a bit bloated, and came to epitomise MOR (later AOR) rock, but Knopfler's Newcastle influences came again to captivate in his 90's solo albums
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