Dire Straits
Alchemy

The news of the release of this double vinyl (once again with the vinyl) reached me over the phone while I was calling one of the most well-stocked record stores in the capital, to find out if they had any Dire Straits bootlegs. As soon as it was confirmed to me that it was on the market, I bought a copy and devoted myself to listening for several months. This work - in the CD edition - contains eleven tracks, naturally (almost) all classics.

The opening of the concerts held to promote "Love Over Gold" is left to the vibrant guitar of "Once Upon A Time In The West", followed by one of the gems that has never been overly appreciated from "Making Movies", which is "Expresso Love", and an extended version - both in the intro and the outro - of the most beautiful love story (am I exaggerating perhaps?) ever set to music by a rock band titled "Romeo And Juliet". "Love Over Gold" is presented in an essential version (hard to believe, huh?) of about four minutes. "Private Investigations" is well received by the audience, which gives an excellent display of participation, particularly in the bass interlude that extends it, setting it apart from the version on "Love Over Gold". After four hits of the hi-hat, "Sultans Of Swing" begins, and the audience goes wild as they succumb to the sonic emotions generated by the band, driven by a muscular Terry Williams on the drums; the sharp and historic final solo arrives after a previously unheard musical interlude, where the group demonstrates that live shows are the litmus test for proving to be a great rock'n'roll orchestra.

In full respect of the musical concept called Dire Straits, "Alchemy" not only represents a true greatest hits live album but also showcases all the various musical facets of the band, thus giving even a delightful "Two Young Lovers" (I would say not quite a classic) the chance to be heard and make the audience dance, engaging them in something different from holding an "air guitar" and mimicking Knopfler. "Solid Rock" bursts forth in a compact manner, presenting the various band members with the chance to bring to life a true "rock'n'roll circus" where physical energy turns into a tremendous and powerful sound, summarized perfectly by a finale deserving of a standing ovation (watch the video on the market). The performance of "Telegraph Road" (not much different from the studio version) and "Tunnel Of Love" (preceded by a previously unheard introduction lasting about five minutes) hold us in place for almost half an hour... but it's worth it, I assure you. "Going Home" (taken from M.K.'s first soundtrack, Local Hero) is the instrumental gem and serene conclusion of the show, touching enough to make the Celtic flavors it exudes appreciated, capable of mingling with the sax of former King Crimson (and much more) Mel Collins, who seals the farewell of Mark & co. from a completely enthralled crowd.

The live albums that will go down in history are quite different (who knows!?), but for those who missed Dire Straits live back in those years and want to (re)experience certain feelings, this double CD (and the related DVD) is proof that another enchanting band had already risen on the wings of glory and would soon confirm its immortality.