One Killer Jam: Dire Straits' "Telegraph Road"
Slow, sultry, building to a frenzied finish, a great vehicle for the versatility of Mark Knopfler
Grinding through some work on a Friday Morning, before I log off for a fill week out of the office (headed to San Diego and the forced jocularity of dealing with a dysfunctional family), and my playlist just rolled up an amazing jam.
Dire Straits, a great band, but mostly the vehicle for the incredible axe slinger Mark Knopfler, was a darling of the MTV era, but apart from their megahits, they had some just amazing music they put down.
This time, we are talking the song Telegraph Road, it is on the Love over Gold album, and it is fourteen minutes and twenty seconds of a slow burn, building to a furious coda, and just some amazing guitar work.
This is worth putting headphones on, and listening to at volume:
Early in my guitar journey, I learned The Sultans of Swing, a very catchy tune from DS’s first album, with some tasty lead lines and a solo that was challenging but achievable. When I bought this album, I was completely floored.
Hope you enjoy!
I have a vivid memory of hearing Sultans of Swing for the first time. Where I was driving and the weather and everything. Loved them so much from the start. Bought a six CD set awhile back that has all the studio releases some of which I still have on vinyl. Not included is the EP with the fabulous Twisting by the Pool, so fortunate to have that.
Telegraph Road is one of my absolute favorites. I’ve been listening to Chet Atkins quite a bit lately and I know he and Mark Knofler worked together quite a bit. A really cool song you’ve probably heard, but if you haven’t is Centipede Boogie. Also, had one pop up on YouTube of Atkins doing Yakety Axe with lyrics by Merle Travis.
Wow! Thanks for sharing this, Geoff. I hope your visit is better than you expect.