Dire Straits: Alchemy Live [Blu-ray] [2010] [Region Free]

Let's get the bad out of the way, Alchemy was filmed on video. What you see here on this Blu-ray is likely the best this will ever look, it's limited by the source material. No amount of baking, scanning and what-have-you is going to do this source material any favours.This is also presented in the original aspect ratio of 4:3, meaning on a high definition TV you will have black bars on the sides. This is perfectly normal. If they were to re-scan the source material to present it in 16:9 you'd be now stuck with around 400 lines of source resolution and it would be ugly, so either zoom in on it or please hold your tongue...this is as good as it gets.Now for the juice - Chuck Ainlay has gone back to the original master tapes and done an amazing re-mastering of Alchemy as well as an amazing multi-channel surround mix, mastering to 24-bit/96kHz and encoded using the dts Master Audio codec, which is of course lossless.The surround mix is enveloping and accurately reflects the feel of a live concert. Every single nuance of the performance seems to come across with delightful clarity, from the subtleties of Private Investigations to the all out rock and roll of Sultans of Swing. Until now the best I've ever heard Alchemy sound is on the original German vinyl pressing, but I have a new favourite and it is this Blu-ray disc.Whether you kick the lights and TV off and flick your receiver into a PURE DIRECT mode, shut your eyes and float away into this amazing concert or watch it at the same time, this one will be sure to be in constant rotation for a long time to come. Alas this isn't the pristine 1080p24 16:9 35mm transfer that I'm sure people would love to see, but with the elements available I think we're very lucky to finally have such an incredible audio presentation of this truly wonderful performance. Not sure why we still don't have the missing tracks, like Love Over Gold. Would be interested to see an answer to that someday.Thanks Universal Music and thanks Chuck Ainlay...and of course thanks to Dire Straits, you still rock as hard in 2010 as you did in 1983.

I have waited many years for this to come out in a digital format to replace my very worn out VHS copy which has been played almost to destruction. It did come as a very pleasant shock to see this released a couple of weeks ago.When I first started it playing, the sound sounded almost distorted and "overdriven" through my TV set. Not only the concert, but the music accompanying the copyright messages and the menu sound. This is the only disc I have which does this so I was a bit suspicious. A few minutes into the actual concert I changed the audio to DTS 5.1 and within a couple of seconds my jaw was hanging open at the amazing quality of the sound. I have listened to Alchemy Live on CD, vinyl and the VHS copy probably hundreds of times over the years, and it has never sounded like this. Every instrument (especially the guitars of course) and every note of song is as clear and crisp as when it was sung. Brilliant!The picture quality is a bit of a letdown for a blu-ray. It is in 4:3 aspect ratio, and it is very grainy in places. But it is many times better than the VHS copy - and you have to remember that this is nearly 30 years ago now.But the bottom line for me is that it isn't about the picture, it is about the sound - and for anyone who thinks they have heard Alchemy Live, they need to listen to this and think again! Well worth the wait

Excellent recording. Pleasure to play.

Having owned the DVD with all its problems (poor sound and picture) I purchased this Blu Ray more in hope than anticipation.Apparently I had forgotten what a top band Dire Straits were in their prime, in a club rather than an Arena. Here you will see Straits at about the time of "Love Over Gold" (one iof their best albums in my opinion) in all their pomp and power, giving their audience what they wanted - a great night`s entertainment. Don`t be fooled into thinking this has no frills - it does, but without the excess of the `Brothers . . Tour` There is a great selection of nearly all of their best early songs, superbly played in a cosy atmosphere (they hadn`t become fed up with playing the same old thing every night at the time of this show) and well filmed without being too arty. The sound is very good and even the pictures are good too! I have no regrets buying this, and have played it several times already, one of my top Music discs. Now, where is "On The Night" for the other end of their existance?