The year was 1978 and the world of music was sounding punk, prog-rock and somewhat aggressive. Enter Dire Straits, a British band with their eponymous debut LP, full of tasteful, blues/rock inspired guitar licks, everyday-life lyrics and something called Sultans of Swing. Rest, as they say, is history. Led by guitarist Mark Knopfler and quirkily named after their state of affairs, this four piece band created simple magic with songs that are still big on the pub rock scene.

Side 1 opens up with the punchy Down To the Waterline which is followed by the seduction of Water of Love. The other highlight of this side is the slow groove of Six Blade Knife.

Side 2 opens up with Sultans of Swing with its now, legendary and absolutely stunning lead guitar outro. For me, this is one of those rare songs that will never grow old, no matter how many times I listen to it. No wonder it’s still one of the most favourite songs in the pub circuit and for any budding rock band to rehearse.

As far as the trivia goes, the inspiration for the song came from witnessing a shabby jazz band playing in the corner of a practically deserted pub in South London. At the end of their performance, the lead singer announced that they were the "Sultans of Swing", and Knopfler found the contrast very amusing.

The last 2 tracks on the album are charming guitar driven country flavoured Wild West End and groovy Lions. Throughout the album what charms you the most is the understated elegance and finesses of Knopfler’s guitar that blends with every melody without screaming for attention, not even once.

On a personal note, whenever I listen to this album and place the needle on my turntable, I go back to my B-School hostel days when, on one rainy day, my room-mate and I bunked lectures to listen to it back to back on a small cassette player. We were the Sultans of Swing on that day…or at least we felt that way.

Genre: Pub Rock, Blues Rock

Length: 41:34

Producer: Muff Winwood

Label: Vertigo (UK), Warner Bros (USA), Mercury (CAN)

Year: 1978

Rating: 4.5/5

Reviewed by Meraj Hasan

Meraj Hasan is a Mumbai based communication professional (and an amateur poet/musician) with a passion for listening to music the vinyl way. His 25 year old Technics turntable along with a humble collection of LPs across genres like Classic rock, Classical, Blues and Jazz (amongst others) are his prized possessions.

He can be reached at +91 9833410791 or email: meraj.hasan@gmail.com