Dire Straits - Once Upon A Time In The West

Dire Straits' second album Communiqué (1979) is often overlooked, regarded as a bleak and uninspired follow-up to the band's successful debut, although it has sold more than seven million copies worldwide. I think the critics are totally wrong - I simply love this album. The opening track "Once Upon A Time In The West" is Mark Knopfler at his absolutely laidback best, not unlike something J.J. Cale - an obvious inspiration for the band - could have done. The ghostly arrangement and understated guitarpicking along with a slow and gentle shuffle makes it a highlight, not only of the album, but of the entire Dire Straits catalogue. A masterpiece, no less.

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