Dire Straits "Money For Nothing" Isolated Guitar Track

The song that turned Dire Straits into international superstars came in the form of the giant hit "Money For Nothing" from their 1985 album Brothers In Arms album. The song hit MTV at it's peak in 1987 and seemed to play every hour.

The song was distinctive in that it has an unusual guitar sound, especially for guitarist Mark Knopfler, who usually plays through a Strat. In this case the sound comes from a Les Paul through a Laney amplifier, but the real secret is the wah-wah set to half-way to give it that mid-rangey sound.

Here's what to listen for.

1. The song begins with the the guitar covered in a short reverb, but then goes dry for the rest of the song.

2. The guitar is in stereo until the chorus, at which point it's doubled and stays that way from that point on.

3. If you're used to hearing the edited radio version, this is the extended album version, so it goes much longer and the guitar parts are a lot looser as the song gets towards the end.

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Cream "Tales Of Brave Ulysses" Isolated Lead Guitar

Here's another bit of Eric Clapton genius with his isolated wah track on Cream's "Tales of Brave Ulysses," a cut from their great Disraeli Gears album. I've also included a very cool "making of" video that gives you some behind the scenes of the song.  Some cool things about it:

1. This was one of the first songs to use the then-new wah-wah pedal, which would go on to become a standard piece of gear for every guitar player afterwards.

2. Clapton is rocking the wah back and forth in time with song during the verses, which not many players do, but it works very effectively here.

3. Be sure to watch the "making of" video, which provides some revelations about the song. One of the big things is how the riff was stolen from the Lovin' Spoonful's "Summer in the City" and how big an influence the Spoonful was on Cream!

For those of you in the US, have a happy and relaxing Thanksgiving!

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