Album of the Day

Dire Straits’ studio albums set a standard for meticulous craftsmanship, but the U.K. band could also deliver the goods on stage. Out now, the 8-CD LIVE 1978-1992 is the definitive look at the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers in concert. It includes expanded editions of earlier live collections ALCHEMY and ON THE NIGHT (both augmented with unreleased tracks), a clutch of BBC recordings and the 2021 Black Friday EP ENCORES. Best of all is a complete, unreleased December 1979 show from London’s Rainbow, which closes with Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott joining Dire Straits on a quartet of rock classics. LIVE 1978-1992 shows that these sultans really could swing.