- Audio CD (3 Jun 1996)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Original recording remastered
- Label: Mercury Records Ltd (London)
- ASIN: B00000IHE1
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 6,452 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
This is the only Dire Straits album not to feature a rhythm guitarist; instead, an added dimension is given to the sound by the addition of Roy Bittan, Bruce Springsteen's pianist. In fact, there were several Springsteen connections to this album: Jimmy Iovine, the producer, was the engineer on Born To Run and the famous riff of "Romeo And Juliet" is a slowed-down version of the piano intro to that album's "Jungleland". A more general connection is the torrent of imagery centred around the romance of the city, most notably on "Skateaway", but also present in the perfectly-rendered teenage angst of hit single "Romeo and Juliet", and the celebratory tale of tawdriness and passion that is "Tunnel Of Love". Mark Knopfler and drummer Pick Withers were fresh from the honour of recording an album with Bob Dylan after he had seen and been impressed by the band playing in LA earlier in the year; but sadly this was to be Withers' last album with Dire Straits, as he left for a career in jazz shortly after. A fine album, the most truly outstanding song is the devastating lovers' lament of "Hand In Hand". Unfortunately it closes on a low note with "Les Boys", Knopfler's faintly embarrassing and uninventive song about the gay scene in Berlin. --James Swift
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I feel this is one of the most underrated albums by the Dire Straits, all the songs being distinctive, with a few classics thrown in for good measure. My personal favourite is the opener, 'Tunnel Of Love', with its incredible guitar work towards the end of the song, and 'Hand In Hand' and 'Romeo And Juliet' are also the Dire Straits at their best.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
"Makin' Movies" was the Dire Straits comeback album, following the relatively poor performance of their second LP, "Communique". Starting off a seven-song album with an eight minute song might seem like suicide, but all the tracks are so strong that such a bold move made sense.
The band had to re-invent themselves after a dodgy patch involving a half-empty second US tour and David Knopfler leaving half-way through the recording of this album. The results, though, were a real step up for the band. Mark Knopfler's songwriting moved into a completely different league to that on display on the previous two records. He'd also started taking control of the production with this album too. It's his vision from start to finish.
"Tunnel of Love", the eight-minute opener, moves around like one of the twisters he sings about. The long guitar solo ended up becoming a highlight of the live show and is still an example of how to write innovative guitar music. It's just a great song.
The commercial highlight comes early on in the form of "Romeo and Juliet", which was a successful Top Ten hit here in the UK. The lyrics are standard fare but the whole song works well. The dynamics are excellent, the ebb and flow help the story along.
"Skateaway" is a very American sounding early-eighties pop song. It was a single in the US, but listening to it now, it seems to be stuck in that time. There are some nice ideas (a strong melody, for a start) and Pick Withers' drumming is as impressive as ever.
"Expresso Love" is probably the most sexist song in Knopfler's notepad. There's some good riffing going on, but those lyrics...! "I was made to go with this girl just like the saxophone was made to go with the night." Hello? Just... NO!
That track is followed by greatness: "Hand in Hand". "Romeo & Juliet" may have made the charts, but "Hand in Hand" has got great lyrics (Elmore James' influence shown in the opening line, blues fans!), brilliant playing and from start to finish is a powerful and emotional piece of writing.
"Solid Rock" probably states most clearly Mark Knopfler's vision of the band. Strip away all the glitz and glamour and you have a band that is really determined to make it. And after the two albums that followed this, you couldn't argue with that vision.
The final track "Les Boys" is fairly funny, but seems to be hindered by Knopfler's lack of confidence in this area. Knopfler seems to be confused as to whether to ham it up or tone it down and the song itself crosses the line between humour and offence.
Overall, the concepts, sounds and songwriting are beyond what Knopfler could have achieved just twelve months before and the prominence of the keyboards really lifts the whole set. The attitude and character shown here is what gives that album four rather than three stars.
The band had to re-invent themselves after a dodgy patch involving a half-empty second US tour and David Knopfler leaving half-way through the recording of this album. The results, though, were a real step up for the band. Mark Knopfler's songwriting moved into a completely different league to that on display on the previous two records. He'd also started taking control of the production with this album too. It's his vision from start to finish.
"Tunnel of Love", the eight-minute opener, moves around like one of the twisters he sings about. The long guitar solo ended up becoming a highlight of the live show and is still an example of how to write innovative guitar music. It's just a great song.
The commercial highlight comes early on in the form of "Romeo and Juliet", which was a successful Top Ten hit here in the UK. The lyrics are standard fare but the whole song works well. The dynamics are excellent, the ebb and flow help the story along.
"Skateaway" is a very American sounding early-eighties pop song. It was a single in the US, but listening to it now, it seems to be stuck in that time. There are some nice ideas (a strong melody, for a start) and Pick Withers' drumming is as impressive as ever.
"Expresso Love" is probably the most sexist song in Knopfler's notepad. There's some good riffing going on, but those lyrics...! "I was made to go with this girl just like the saxophone was made to go with the night." Hello? Just... NO!
That track is followed by greatness: "Hand in Hand". "Romeo & Juliet" may have made the charts, but "Hand in Hand" has got great lyrics (Elmore James' influence shown in the opening line, blues fans!), brilliant playing and from start to finish is a powerful and emotional piece of writing.
"Solid Rock" probably states most clearly Mark Knopfler's vision of the band. Strip away all the glitz and glamour and you have a band that is really determined to make it. And after the two albums that followed this, you couldn't argue with that vision.
The final track "Les Boys" is fairly funny, but seems to be hindered by Knopfler's lack of confidence in this area. Knopfler seems to be confused as to whether to ham it up or tone it down and the song itself crosses the line between humour and offence.
Overall, the concepts, sounds and songwriting are beyond what Knopfler could have achieved just twelve months before and the prominence of the keyboards really lifts the whole set. The attitude and character shown here is what gives that album four rather than three stars.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is my favourite Dire Starits album ever. It is not immediate, but over time, I defy you to dispute its status as a classic. Every song is a revelation, and it is perhaps the most satisfying and consistent of all their albums. 'Hand in Hand' is a highpoint, so too is 'Tunnel of Love'.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Making Music...
For years, I only had three of the Straits' albums on vinyl, this one, Love Over Gold and their debut. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Tim Kidner
Dire Straits rule ok
Classic tracks from the north-east lads! The tunnel of love and romeo & Juliet are wonderfull tracks full of poetry and will stand the test of time.
Published 3 months ago by Corinne
I Had Forgotten What Dire straits Are Really Like, When At Their Best.
(This album review may be slightly different to the listed tracks).
1. "Tunnel Of Love" : Its unusual for a number to have an organ given it was produced in 1980, surely... Read more
1. "Tunnel Of Love" : Its unusual for a number to have an organ given it was produced in 1980, surely... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Richie77777
Disappointing!
Was looking forward to getting this on CD but the quality compared to the original vinyl is awful. Not sure what they have done but it sounds muffled and undynamic. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Del
Corrections
A fine album where you get the impression that the band get a kick up the backside production-wise. However, David Swift got a couple of things wrong in his review. Read more
Published on 5 May 2010 by Mr. I. R. Rogers
Quality
All of the previous reviewers are spot on! Tunnel of Love is my all time favourite Dire Straits. Lyrical genius and a beautifully crafted and deeply touching song of a bitter sweet... Read more
Published on 17 July 2009 by Nolan Harvey
Making a move
Dire Straits' third album came at their version of the proverbial crossroads. Apart from losing a member, they decided not to release volume 3 of the same and instead created a few... Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2008 by D. J. H. Thorn
making movies
i am a big fan of the band of dire straits and this is a great cd, i would rate that tunnel of love is the best song on this cd and skateaway, i like the title and is great,... Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2007 by for whom the bell tolls
Best Straits album by far
If you only buy one dire straits album, make it this 1 and ull be buying more!!! Absolutly amazing all the way through (apart from the dreadful les boys, but we'l ignore that)... Read more
Published on 9 May 2007 by J. Thomas
Make-up and a bad wig...
Making Movies, the ORIGINAL album, is, as many other reviewers have commented, a much underrated classic. Read more
Published on 26 July 2006 by Simonm
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