News Archives: 2021
Compiled by Terry Kilburn
Encores on pink vinyl
April 7, 2021
Dire Straits are taking part in this year’s official Record Store Day Drop on 17th July, with a limited edition reissue of the 1993 live EP ‘Encores’, pressed on pink vinyl.
Recorded during the On Every Street tour in 1992, this special edition is newly remastered and features an exclusive 12″ lithograph of the cover. Save the date and get a copy from a participating indie record shop near you: https://RecordStoreDay.lnk.to/StoresEM

Golden Heart 25th Anniversary
March 24, 2021
To celebrate 25 years of Mark’s debut solo album ‘Golden Heart’, watch his 1996 ‘A Night In London’ concert in its entirety, this Friday 26th March. The full concert will be available to watch on Mark’s YouTube channel from 5pm GMT / 10am PT for 48 hours only. Subscribe and set a reminder here
LH & BIA half speed mastered vinyl
March 19, 2021
Mark’s debut film soundtrack for Local Hero and Dire Straits’ record-breaking Brothers In Arms are out today on half-speed mastered vinyl. Both albums have been remastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios, and are pressed on 180gsm black vinyl.
Originally released in 1983, the Local Hero soundtrack went on to be nominated for the BAFTA award for Best Score for a Film in 1984. The album’s signature theme tune Going Home is played before every home game of Mark’s home team, Newcastle United FC.
Order your copies of both half-speed masters here. [link: https://direstraits.lnk.to/HalfSpeedMastersEM]

To celebrate the Dire Straits Brothers In Arms half-speed master release today, stream on Spotify on your mobile to explore a new visual experience for the album, featuring new Canvas and Storylines giving insight into each song.
[LINK: https://direstraits.lnk.to/BIASpotifyEM]
COMMENTChris Barber
March 6, 2021
‘Trombonist Chris Barber, who passed away on March 2nd, aged 90 was a pivotal figure in the shaping of modern rock music, from playing bass on the first British rock record, Rock Island Line with Lonnie Donegan in 1954, to organising tours of the U.K. by many major US blues artists.
I have happy memories of getting to know Chris as well as playing with him when he was a guest of The Notting Hillbillies at Ronnie Scott’s in 1998.’
MK
COMMENTCaptain Sir Tom Moore
February 3, 2021
‘The spirit and optimism of Captain Sir Tom Moore is,
and will continue to be, an inspiration to us all.’ – MK

‘Goodbye Kerry’
January 28, 2021

‘It’s painful to have to report more sad news in such sad times: but Kerry Lewis, a much loved and treasured member of our touring crew for many years, passed away on January 26th.
Kerry had been combating cancer for some time and finally succumbed to his illness. Kerry was a lovely and talented guy, our stage monitor sound engineer and a tremendous asset to our team. The success of every performance was what drove him endlessly.
All our thoughts go out to Kerry’s family and friends at this time. Goodbye Kerry – we’re all raising a glass in the direction of your beloved Wales.’ – MK
COMMENTBIA & Local Hero half speed masters
January 27, 2021
‘BROTHERS IN ARMS’
HALF-SPEED MASTER OUT 19 MARCH
‘Brothers In Arms’ half-speed master will be available on 19th March, remastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios.
Originally released in 1985, ‘Brothers In Arms’ features the hit singles ‘Money For Nothing’, ‘Walk Of Life’, ‘So Far Away’, ‘Brothers In Arms’ and ‘Your Latest Trick’. The half-speed album master is pressed on double 180gsm black vinyl, with a series branded obi-strip and certificate of authenticity from Abbey Road Studios, as well as a full colour outer sleeve with printed inner sleeves.

‘LOCAL HERO’
HALF-SPEED MASTER OUT 19 MARCH
The half-speed master of Mark Knopfler‘s acclaimed soundtrack to the film ‘Local Hero‘ will also be available on vinyl on 19th March, featuring the theme tune ‘Going Home’.
COMMENTWinner
January 8, 2021
Mark would like to sincerely thank everyone who entered his Stagehand #ILoveLive guitar prize draw to support production crew particularly hit by the Covid-19 crisis. Together you raised over £69,000 which will go a very long way to helping.
Congratulations to the winner: Richard L. of Belgium.
You can still donate to Stagehand here: http://ow.ly/Y9bk50D2kZm
Keep an eye out for the next round of Stagehand #ILoveLive prize draws coming up soon, which will include more amazing items donated by artists and the music industry.
COMMENTRichard Bennett on vinyl
January 6, 2021
Yield Brother Records, a vinyl only label, has just re-released Richard Bennett’s album Code Red Cloud Nine on 180 gram vinyl, remastered, great packaging and an overview Richard has written about the making of the record and it’s inspiration.
The album is available at yieldbrotherrecords.com ….. and for a few dollars more you can buy the premium package which includes a hand-signed photograph with a dedication of your choosing.
