- Gatefold Album Cover
This West German pressing of Dire Straits' "Alchemy Live" 12" vinyl LP album delivers a captivating live experience. The gatefold album, recorded in 1983, showcases the band's raw energy and musical prowess, featuring iconic hits and extended jams. A sought-after collector's item, this vinyl pressing is a testament to Dire Straits' enduring legacy and a must-have for any serious audiophile or fan.
Released in 1984, "Alchemy Live" captures Dire Straits at the zenith of their commercial success. The double LP, recorded over two nights at London's Hammersmith Odeon in July 1983, showcases the band's evolution from pub rock roots to arena-filling rock titans.
This was a period of intense musical exploration for Dire Straits. Their sound had broadened beyond Mark Knopfler's signature guitar work to incorporate elements of jazz, folk, and country, evident in extended jams on tracks like "Tunnel of Love" and "Telegraph Road."
The album also sparked minor controversy, with some critics deeming the live renditions overly polished compared to the raw energy of their earlier work. However, this didn't deter fans, as "Alchemy Live" became a commercial success, solidifying the band's global appeal.
Produced by Mark Knopfler and Neil Dorfsman, "Alchemy Live" was mixed at AIR Studios Montserrat, the same studio where Dire Straits had recorded their previous albums.
The lineup featured Mark Knopfler on guitar and vocals, John Illsley on bass, Alan Clark on keyboards, and Pick Withers on drums. This core quartet, augmented by Hal Lindes on guitar and Mel Collins on saxophone, delivered a tight yet dynamic performance showcasing Knopfler's unparalleled storytelling and guitar prowess.
As the frontman, Knopfler's understated charisma and dry wit shone through, providing a counterpoint to the band's virtuosic musicianship. "Alchemy Live" stands as a sonic snapshot of a band at their peak, encapsulating the energy and emotion of a live Dire Straits performance.
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Music Genre: 80s Pop Rock |
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Album Production information: Produced by Mark Knopfler. Recorded by Mick mcKenna, Rolling Stones Mobile July 1983. Mixed at Air Studios London November 1983. Engineer: Nigel Walker, Jeremy Allom. Artwork by Brett Whiteley. Photos: Pennie Smith |
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Record Label & Catalognr: Red/Orange Vertigo 818 244 (818244) |
| Album Packaging:Gatefold (FOC) album cover design. |
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Media Format: 12" Double LP |
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Year & Country: 1984 Made in West Germany |
Band Members and Musicians on: Dire Straits - Alchemy Live |
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Complete Track Listing of: Dire Straits - Alchemy Live |
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The Song/tracks on "Dire Straits - Alchemy Live" are:
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Note: The photos on this page are taken from albums in my personal collection. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).
"Alchemy Live" Record Label Details: Orange Colour Vertigo 818 244-1 ℗ 1984 Phonogram Ltd Sound Copyright
"Alchemy: Dire Straits Live" perfectly encapsulates the energy and musical virtuosity of a Dire Straits concert. The album was recorded during their 1983-1984 "Love Over Gold" tour
Alchemy Live 2LP (1984 France) Alchemy Live 2LP (1984 Germany) Alchemy Live 2LP (1984 Holland)
'Brothers in Arms' on 12" Vinyl LP is a sonic masterpiece produced by Mark Knopfler and Neil Dorfsman. This iconic album showcases the band's musical prowess and includes hits like 'Money for Nothing'.
Brothers in Arms (1985, Holland) Brothers in Arms (1985, West-Germany)
"Communiqué" is listed in three versions: European, German, and a rare Club Edition, each offering a unique experience on 12" vinyl LP.
Communiqué European Release Communiqué (1979, Germany) Communique Club Edition (1979, Germany)
The self-titled debut album of "Dire Straits" is available in four distinct versions, including the rare Portuguese edition, which is notably elusive to find.
DIRE STRAITS - Self-Titled (1978, England) DIRE STRAITS - Self-Titled Black Vertigo (1978, France) DIRE STRAITS - Self-Titled (1978, France) DIRE STRAITS - Self-Titled (1978, Portugal)
Vertigo 609 230 , 1979 , Germany
"Lady Writer" by Dire Straits is a captivating musical gem. Featuring the hit "Lady Writer" on one side and "Where Do You Think You're Going?" on the other, this release showcases the band's signature sound
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Warner Bros WBMS 109 , 1979 , USA
The rare promotional 12" Vinyl LP album, "Dire Straits - Live Promo - Warner Bros Music Show", offers a unique glimpse into the band's live performances.
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"Love Over Gold" the Dutch and West-German editions each having different coloured record labels , the West-German release mentions "Digital Recording".
Love Over Gold OIS (Netherlands) Love Over Gold (West-Germany)
The Dutch, German and USA release of "Making Movies" produced by Mark Knopfler and Jimmy Iovine and engineered by The Shelly Yakus, it features custom inner sleeves with lyrics and artwork. Recorded in July-August 1980
German Edition of Making Movies Dutch Edition of Making Movies Making Movies Genuine USA Edition
Vertigo INT 836 419 , 1988 , UK
"Money for Nothing" is a musical treasure with a mix of studio and live tracks. It features the iconic "Sultans of Swing", a live version of "Portobello Belle", and a remix of "Twisting by the Pool".
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Vertigo 510 160 , 1991 , Holland
"On Every Street" by Dire Straits is a rare find enriched with exclusive content. This edition includes an official merchandise leaflet and a 40-page booklet featuring color photos and details of the 1992 world tour.
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Vertigo 6863 201 , 1982 , France
The French Promo 12" Vinyl Maxi-Single of "Telegraph Road" by Dire Straits is a highly sought-after collector's item. Featuring a rare 14:37 version of the song, it predates the official release of the LP "Love Over Gold".
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The Netherlands release of the 12" EP "Twisting By the Pool" by Dire Straits features a concise tracklist. The Fren ch Edition also includes the bonus track "Badges, Posters, Stickers, T'Shirts"
Twisting By the Pool / ExtendedancEPlay (1983, France) Twisting By the Pool / ExtendedancEPlay ( 1983 Holland )