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Communiqué is the second studio album by British rock band Dire Straits, released on 5 June 1979 by Vertigo Records internationally, Warner Bros. Records in the United States and Mercury Records in Canada.
The album featured the single "Lady Writer", which reached number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
It is the last album to feature David Knopfler, who departed from the band during the making of their following album, and the last with the original lineup.
Rushed out less than nine months after the surprise success of Dire Straits' self-titled debut album, the group's sophomore effort, Communiqué, seemed little more than a carbon copy of its predecessor with less compelling material.
Mark Knopfler and co. had established a sound (derived largely from J.J. Cale) of laid-back shuffles and intricate, bluesy guitar playing, and Communiqué provided more examples of it.
But there was no track as focused as "Sultans of Swing," even if "Lady Writer" (a lesser singles chart entry on both sides of the Atlantic) nearly duplicated its sound.
As a result, Communiqué sold immediately to Dire Straits' established audience, but no more, and it did not fare as well critically as its predecessor or its follow-up.
Once Upon A Time In The West opens with Mark Knopfler’s magnificent guitar work that sets the tone for the entire album, but it is the depth of the overall mix and Pick Withers’ drum track that lights up Once Upon A Time In The West with a laid back vibe and sonic wonder that will cause you to raise your head in pure admiration. A magnificent opening track.
News flows perfectly from the opening song, reducing the tempo, but not diluting the magnificence. Aside from Knopfler’s guitar work, David’s (on Rhythm Guitar) as well, John Illsley’s bass tracking provides the perfect emphasis that holds the sum of its parts together. Withers, again, knocks it out of the park with some of the best drumming you’ll ever hear.
Where Do You Think You’re Going? continues the laid-back style of Communiqué and it is with this delicate nature that you can begin to thoroughly appreciate Dire Straits’ musical prowess for it isn’t always about the boldest presentation but the fluidity and how music makes us feel. In this case, Where Do You Think You’re Going? reminds me of why I love music.
Communiqué has a slight tempo boost with a little more twang. It’s Dire Straits 101, but as much as I enjoy Communiqué in the linear album format, it’s one song from the album that I generally don’t seek out on its own.
As the title song, however, it’s perfectly suited, but I think the one aspect that has always bothered me with Communiqué is Knopfler’s vocal is too forward in the mix. Some may like that approach, and it isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but Dire Straits is as much a musical outfit as it is a vocal storytelling one and subsequently I appreciate their output for the musicality far more than I do the literal intent.
Lady Writer may well have a Sultans Of Swing feel to it, and there’s no doubt in my mind that Sultans Of Swing is superior to Lady Writer, but just as much of AC/DC’s catalogue sounds the same to everything they’ve ever recorded, I consider Lady Writer to share the same similarity; arguably a positive aspect for fans of Sultans Of Swing. Plus, that guitar work throughout the second half of the song is exquisite in its own right.
Angel Of Mercy is toe-tapping gold and could almost be considered a country tune with the drawl and twang present throughout. There’s also a little Caribbean influence to be heard and while Angel Of Mercy isn’t necessarily a standout, it’s a solid B-side.
Portobello Belle has a Bob Dylan feel to it, as several other songs on the album do, and it is little wonder that Dylan employed the services of Mark Knopfler and Pick Withers for his magnificent 1979 release, Slow Train Coming.
That, dear reader, is a much better correlation to make regarding a carbon copy of music than suggesting Communiqué lacks originality when compared to Dire Straits’ debut.
Single Handed Sailor has some gorgeous guitar licks throughout but that closing solo is undoubtedly the highlight; stunning!
Follow Me Home has an incredibly immersive soundstage with atmospheric elements that transport you to another location.
It’s without a doubt one of the most relaxing tunes that Dire Straits ever recorded and is the perfect way to close this exceptional album as it encourages you to play the record again or sit in quiet contemplation and marvel at the audible wonder that is Communiqué.
The album cover was designed by Hothouse, art directed by Alan Schmidt with the cover illustration by Geoff Halpin.
Side one
1. Once Upon a Time in the West (5:25)
2. News (4:14)
3. Where Do You Think You’re Going? (3:49)
4. Communiqué (5:49)
Side two
1. Lady Writer (3:45)
2. Angel of Mercy (4:36)
3. Portobello Belle (4:29)
4. Single-Handed Sailor (4:42)
5. Follow Me Home (5:50)
All tracks are written by Mark Knopfler.
Dire Straits
- Mark Knopfler – vocals, lead and rhythm guitars
- David Knopfler – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- John Illsley – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Pick Withers – drums
Additional musicians
- Barry Beckett – keyboards
Production
- Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett (credited as B. Bear) – producers
- Gregg Hamm – mix engineer
- Jack Nuber – engineer
- Bobby Hata – mastering
- Paul Wexler – mastering supervisor
- Bob Ludwig – remastering
- Thelbert Rigby – tape operator
- Alan Schmidt – art direction
- Geoff Halpin – illustrations
Companies, etc.
- Marketed By – Phonogram
- Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Phonogram Ltd.
- Copyright © – Phonogram Ltd.
- Printed By – Team-Trykk A.S.
- Recorded At – Compass Point Studios
- Mixed At – Muscle Shoals Sound Studios
Recorded December 1978, Compass Point Studio, Nassau, Bahamas.
Mixed January 1979 at Muscle Shoals Sound, Sheffield, Alabama.
Mixed January 1979 at Muscle Shoals Sound, Sheffield, Alabama.
Notes
Release: 1979
Format: LP, Vinyl
Genre: Pop, Rock
Label: Vertigo
Catalog# 6360170
Vinyl: Goed (VG)
Cover: Goed (VG)
Prijs: €20,00
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