Communiqué

History of Communiqué

Communiqué is the second studio album by the iconic British rock band Dire Straits, released on June 15, 1979. This album followed the surprising success of their self-titled debut and demonstrated how quickly the band could produce high-quality new material. It was recorded in the Bahamas at Compass Point Studios, just a few months after the completion of their first album, underscoring the prolific creative phase Dire Straits was in.

Produced by Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett, two legendary figures from the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Communiqué maintained and refined Dire Straits’ signature sound: clean, melodic guitars led by Mark Knopfler’s distinctive style, introspective lyrics, and a relaxed atmosphere evoking nocturnal and urban landscapes. Although often compared to its predecessor, “Communiqué” managed to forge its own identity, cementing the band’s reputation in the music scene.

The album features standout tracks such as “Lady Writer,” which was released as the lead single and enjoyed moderate success, and “Portobello Belle,” a song that captures Knopfler’s narrative essence. Other tracks like “Once Upon a Time in the West” and “News” also contributed to the album’s strength. Although it did not generate massive success on the scale of “Sultans of Swing,” Communiqué was a significant commercial success, reaching number 1 on the album charts in Germany and Sweden, and making the Top 10 in several other countries, including the United Kingdom. Its release proved that Dire Straits was not a one-hit wonder and that they had a consistent and appealing musical style, cementing their place in rock history.

History of Dire Straits

Dire Straits was an influential British rock band formed in London in 1977. The founding members were Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and guitar), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar), John Illsley (bass), and Pick Withers (drums). The band emerged at a time when punk rock dominated the music scene, but Dire Straits opted for a more understated sound, rooted in blues, classic rock, and folk, with precise instrumentation and Mark Knopfler’s distinctive voice and virtuoso guitar style.

Their self-titled debut album, “Dire Straits” (1978), catapulted them to worldwide fame, especially thanks to the massive success of the single “Sultans of Swing.” This song stood out for Knopfler’s intricate guitar work and its lyrical narrative about the lives of jazz musicians in seedy clubs. The album’s success led to a rapid tour and the recording of their second album, “Communiqué” (1979), which cemented their popularity.

Throughout the 1980s, Dire Straits continued to evolve. Albums such as “Making Movies” (1980), featuring tracks like “Romeo and Juliet” and “Tunnel of Love,” and “Love Over Gold” (1982), with its expansive and atmospheric compositions, demonstrated greater artistic ambition. However, it was “Brothers in Arms” (1985) that elevated them to global superstar status. This album, one of the first to be recorded and widely released on CD, sold millions of copies worldwide and included hits such as “Money for Nothing,” “Walk of Life,” and the ballad “Brothers in Arms.” The polished sound and innovative music videos of the MTV era contributed to their enormous success.

Despite their success, the intense pressure of touring and recording led the band to take a hiatus in 1988. Mark Knopfler focused on his solo career and soundtracks. Dire Straits briefly reunited in the early 1990s to record and release their final studio album, “On Every Street” (1991), and embark on a final world tour. Although the band never announced a formal breakup, they have remained inactive since the mid-1990s, with Mark Knopfler reiterating his preference for solo projects. Dire Straits’ legacy is that of a band that combined musical sophistication with mass appeal, leaving an indelible mark on rock.

Dire Straits' Major Discography

• Dire Straits (1978)
• Communiqué (1979)
• Making Movies (1980)
• Love Over Gold (1982)
• Alchemy: Dire Straits Live (1984)
• Brothers in Arms (1985)
• On Every Street (1991)
• Live at the BBC (1995)
• Sultans of Swing: The Very Best of Dire Straits (1998)
• Private Investigations: The Best of Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler (2005)

YouTube

You can find several songs and the complete album Communiqué by Dire Straits on YouTube. Here’s a video so you can listen to some tracks from this great album: