The next in a line of box sets compiling the work of Dire Straits and its admiral, Mark Knopfler, this five-album, eight-disc collection, issued faithfully by Rhino Records, centers exclusively on the iconic English rock band’s live output. Four of the five records are refreshed editions- in some cases expanded, remixed, and remastered- but the darling of the bunch is the previously unreleased full 1979 concert from London’s venerated Rainbow. Even without the fantastic new entry, it’s a tidy and thorough compilation of the group’s cataloged concert material, but with it, the box elevates to essential.

Two of the albums- live at the BBC and Encores– remain virtually as they were when first released. Yet, both Alchemy and On The Night contain terrific new additions, with mixes done by the band’s keyboardist and Knopfler co-producer, Guy Fletcher, and remastered by Abbey Road’s Andy Walter. The updates are exceptional. On Alchemy, much of the original performance’s sequence has been restored, and even though the purists are grumbling about the edited outro of “Portobello Belle,” it’s a minor and debatable quibble, at best. In fact, this is now the definitive version of this revered live album.

As for On The Night, it’s also loaded with improvements, including over half-a-dozen previously unreleased tracks from the group’s final tour. Special among them is a couplet closing disc one- “When It Comes To You” and “I Think I Love You Too Much”- the latter nugget unavailable on any Straits’ studio album. With the expanded tracklist, it’s a more accurate and fulfilling representation of those final Straits shows.

The Rainbow set, drawn from a December ’79 tour closer, features the original quartet in the spell of rapidly growing success and playing about as sharply as this foursome could. Knopfler is as dazzling as ever, with guitarist and brother, David, and bassist John Illsley, who remained as the sole original member throughout the band’s lifespan, in peak shape. Drummer Pick Withers anchors the ensemble with versatile and restrained timekeeping, rounding out an incarnation of Dire Straits that some argue was unsurpassed. Guests for the encore- Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy) and Tony De Meur- dress up a slate of rockers for a fun little coda to an otherwise seriously smoking show. Add in a colorful booklet and wonderful essay from longtime rock writer, Paul Sexton, plus album cover art cards, and this is a box set that superbly summarizes Dire Straits’ impressive live history.