Mark Knopfler’s Stunning Berlin Performance of Brothers In Arms Is Nothing Short of a Masterpiece
Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler composed numerous timeless hits, with one of the most lasting being the blues rock slow burner “Brothers in Arms.” Knopfler delighted fans with a sultry rendition of the hit at the Meistersaal concert hall in Berlin alongside his solo band. He performed the song on September 10, 2007, 22 years after its original release in 1985. Nevertheless, he delivered it as if he had just written it, maintaining the same intensity that made the song a Dire Straits classic.
The cozy performance in the small venue perfectly highlighted the song’s moody atmosphere, with Knopfler softly delivering the opening lines as the audience listened intently. His captivating vocal delivery was enhanced by his signature guitar riffs from “Brothers In Arms.” Unsurprisingly, the frontman’s numerous guitar solos throughout the track stood out, especially the two extended solos in the bridge, which he played with passionate dedication.
Dire Straits and Knopfler are exceptional performers. While the studio versions of his songs are fantastic, every time I’ve seen him live, he elevates them further, whether with Dire Straits or his solo band. The Berlin performance was recorded by German TV station RBB, which aired his live showcase before the release of his fifth solo studio album, Kill to Get Crimson. The live version of “Brothers In Arms” gained immense popularity on YouTube, garnering 108 million views.
Fans couldn’t get enough of the performance, leaving comments like “This is one of the few songs that touch the soul and I’m sure so many veterans relate deeply to it! A masterpiece” and “He never plays the song exactly the same way every performance, his soul always comes through in the guitar and his phrasing. Remarkable genius.” Over the years, Dire Straits have delivered some outstanding renditions of “Brothers In Arms,” including their 1988 version at Wembley Stadium.
“Brothers In Arms” is frequently recognized as one of Dire Straits’ greatest songs. Knopfler wrote the song in 1982, the year Britain was involved in the Falklands War. It was released on October 18, 1985, as the third single from Dire Straits’ fifth studio album, Brothers In Arms.
In 2007, the same year as the Berlin concert, Knopfler re-recorded “Brothers In Arms” at Abbey Road Studios. He used the song’s release to raise funds for British Falklands War veterans, who he said “are still suffering from the effects of that conflict.”
Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler composed numerous timeless hits, with one of the most lasting being the blues rock slow burner “Brothers in Arms.” Knopfler delighted fans with a sultry rendition of the hit at the Meistersaal concert hall in Berlin alongside his solo band. He performed the song on September 10, 2007, 22 years after its original release in 1985. Nevertheless, he delivered it as if he had just written it, maintaining the same intensity that made the song a Dire Straits classic.
The cozy performance in the small venue perfectly highlighted the song’s moody atmosphere, with Knopfler softly delivering the opening lines as the audience listened intently. His captivating vocal delivery was enhanced by his signature guitar riffs from “Brothers In Arms”. Unsurprisingly, the frontman’s numerous guitar solos throughout the track stood out, especially the two extended solos in the bridge, which he played with passionate dedication.
Dire Straits and Knopfler are exceptional performers. While the studio versions of his songs are fantastic, every time I’ve seen him live, he elevates them further, whether with Dire Straits or his solo band. The Berlin performance was recorded by German TV station RBB, which aired his live showcase before the release of his fifth solo studio album Kill to Get Crimson. The live version of “Brothers In Arms” gained immense popularity on YouTube, garnering 108 million views.
