The Dire Straits Experience live 30 06 2012

"The Dire Straits Experience" ( aka "The Straits" ) concert in the Renka Garden. Former members of "Dire Straits" Alan Clark and Chris White, plus world class musicians was perform live the band's greatest hits.

Amateur video: Andris Liepins, Inga Daliba

Alan Clark joined Dire Straits in 1980 as their first keyboard player and played a significant part in their transformation into one of the world’s biggest bands. Acknowledged by his fellow band members as Dire Straits' unofficial musical director, he played on the Love Over Gold album and every record the band made thereafter, including the iconic Brothers in Arms, and co-produced the band’s last studio album On Every Street. Alan has played and recorded with many other artists including Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan.

Chris White's first real break in the music industry came in 1981 when he was asked to play on Nick Heyward's album " North Of A Miracle ". Following this success, his reputation continued to build, being asked to play and record with artists such as Paul McCartney, Aztec Camera, The The and Mark Knopfler, the latter leading to what he is best known for - the saxophone sound of Dire Straits. His work with the band included two World Tours, the " On Every Street " and " On The Night " albums, and the legendary " Live Aid " and " Mandela " concerts. More recently, Chris has also guested on two of Mark Knopfler's solo albums. Outside of this association, he has recorded and toured with many artists, including Joe Cocker and Robbie Williams. He is now also assembling material for his second album of original work.

Terence Reis… not only replicates Knopfler’s guitar and singing style in an eerily accurate manner, he performs with such gusto and passion it was easy to forget we weren’t watching the original Dire Straits in its early 1980s prime. From intense, elongated versions of epics like “Telegraph Road” and “Tunnel of Love” to fan favourites like “Walk Of Life” and “Brothers In Arms,” the music hit every target, without a false note of mimicry or nostalgia.