Dire Straits: Alchemy Live [Blu-ray] [2010]

I've already written to counter what was the only review of this video by someone who must be either stone deaf or brain-dead to have awarded it half a star. Why my contribution was disregarded is a matter which only Amazon dot whatever can figure out. This Concert is awesome. Dire Straits are performing at their most brilliant best. the sound quality, filming and editing is excellent. Why has it it has not been released on DVD?

This is the video of one of my all-time favourite albums. On video, you are reminded that Dire Straits are more than just Knopfler's sublime guitar playing. Hal Lindes is fantastic in a supporting a role - I especially like his trousers! - and we get to see the often forgotten John Illsley, who is superb on bass, taking "Private Investigations" to new heights. Best of all though is Terry Williams. It's worth buying this video just to watch him on drums - amazing. Like the vinyl, the video doesn't contain "Love Over Gold", but then I didn't even know it was missing until the CD came out. Hopefully they'll bring "Alchemy" out on DVD so we can enjoy it again in all it's glory. Don't think - buy it.

I must say that I was really looking forward to this release eventually becoming available on dvd. I originally bought the records when they came out, then the cds and the video. I even remember the concert being shown on television sometime around 1983 and I recorded it on Video 2000!
Although the music will be familiar to many it is really pleasing that this excellent concert has been released on dvd. The music quality is fine and the picture quality has obviously also been worked on. I am not concerned that the blue ray version may not be up to the usual standard or that the screen format 4:3 may not appeal to many, just that the concert is now available in a digital format. People really have to remember that it is now 27 years since this was recorded so it can't be expected to be as good as a modern equivalent concert.
This appeared after the band had recorded 4 studio albums. There was a, therefore, a large amount of material that could have been performed. The tracks chosen are a good cross section at the time and pre-date the hugely successful "Brothers in Arms" and "On Every Street" albums. This is the band in an earlier, less commercial phase and every band member appears right in the zone. It really is a classic concert and will be an excellent companion to the "On The Night" dvd. In particular the version of "Romeo and Juliet" takes on another dimension compared to the original studio track. "Tunnel of Love" and "Telegraph Road" are also highlights, but really the entire concert is superb.
The extras included are 2 studio tracks recorded for television at the time and a very interesting documentary. The 8-page inlay also gives good retrospective information. All in all an excellent package.
Could it have been better? Yes, with the obvious inclusion of "Love Over Gold". I believe this was released on the original cassette version but it surely could have been included here, given the extra time capacity of the dvd format.
However, I still give this 5 stars and urge all fans - old and new - to buy it. The old Video 2000 copy I made at the time will continue to gather dust at the bottom of the cupboard whilst this dvd will be played at regular intervals.
Happy days indeed.