Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

8. Dire StraitsAlchemy: Dire Straits Live

I love Dire Straits so much and I can’t really explain why – I travelled to LA to see them recently like a proper fan-girl, that’s how much I love them! I reminded myself recently that they did the music for The Princess Bride, which I’m very fond of, so there’s that. But there’s also this quality of being in the moment with them which I’ve also really liked. The guitar solo from ‘Sultans Of Swing’ is something else – it’s so designed, it has an arc, it’s controlled, but it takes you on a purposeful journey. Also I love British bands from that period. There’s a stylishness and a humour and a charm in them. You get it in Roxy Music too, and the Rolling Stones, in the lyrics and the approach and the character. It’s hard to resist.

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