Dire Straits DIRE STRAITS

Dire Straits: Mark Knopfler (vocals, guitar); David Knopfler (guitar, background vocals); John Illsley (bass); Pick Withers (drums).Recorded at Basing St. Studios, London, England in February, 1978.All tracks have been digitally remastered.Composer: Mark Knopfler.Personnel: David Knopfler, Mark Knopfler (vocals, guitar); John Illsley (vocals); Pick Withers (drums).Audio Remasterer: Gregg Geller.Recording information: Basing St. Studios, London, England (02/1978); Basing Street Studios, London, England (02/1978).Led by former music journalist/college professor Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits emerged with their melancholy self-titled debut amidst the clatter of punk and gloss of disco. With a laid-back, raspy style of singing and distinctive finger-picking style of guitar playing, Knopfler came across as a fusion of J.J. Cale, Bob Dylan, and Chet Atkins. Coming out of the pub-rock scene, this tight English quartet cracked both sides of the Atlantic with the insanely catchy "Sultans Of Swing.