Dire Straits’ “Your Latest Trick” is one of the most atmospheric songs from the band’s legendary album Brothers in Arms. Its distinctive melody, expressive arrangement, and unmistakable Mark Knopfler style have inspired musicians around the world to create their own interpretations.
One of those musicians is Croatian guitarist and songwriter Josip Susic, a lifelong fan of Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits. In June 2021, Josip released a beautiful instrumental arrangement of “Your Latest Trick,” combining acoustic and electric guitar in a compact performance.
Josip Susic’s Acoustic & Electric Version of “Your Latest Trick”
Josip’s arrangement takes a different approach to the original Dire Straits recording. Instead of reproducing the complete band arrangement, he focuses on the guitar parts and creates an intimate instrumental version using two guitars.
For the acoustic part, Josip used a Yamaha AC3M, while the electric guitar was a Fender Telecaster. The combination gives the performance a warm acoustic foundation alongside the clean, expressive character of an electric guitar.
The result is a simple but carefully crafted interpretation that allows the melody to remain at the center of the performance.
A Lifelong Mark Knopfler Fan
Josip Susic has been sharing his passion for Mark Knopfler’s music with the Dire Straits community for several years. His performances demonstrate his appreciation for Knopfler’s distinctive guitar style while also allowing him to develop his own approach to these classic songs.
Before releasing “Your Latest Trick,” Josip had already appeared on Dire Straits Blog with two other performances. In March 2021, we featured his cover of “Going Home“, followed by his interpretation of the final solo from “Tunnel of Love“ in April.
His latest performance continues that musical journey.
A Personal Tribute to Dire Straits
Speaking about the new arrangement, Josip described “Your Latest Trick” as one of his favorite Dire Straits songs.
“Here is my latest YouTube video cover. This time I created an acoustic and electric arrangement for one of my favorites Dire Straits song. I hope that you’ll like it, have a great day and best wishes from Croatia.”
His words capture what makes fan-created performances so interesting. Rather than simply copying the original recording, musicians such as Josip bring their own instruments, techniques, and musical personality to songs that have inspired them.
The Timeless Appeal of “Your Latest Trick”
Originally released on Brothers in Arms in 1985, “Your Latest Trick” remains one of the album’s most distinctive compositions. Its atmospheric character and sophisticated arrangement make it particularly interesting for guitarists who want to explore the quieter and more melodic side of Dire Straits.
Josip’s acoustic and electric arrangement highlights that character while keeping the performance focused and personal. It is a reminder that even familiar songs can sound fresh when approached from a different musical perspective.
Watch Josip Susic’s Dire Straits Cover
If you enjoy acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and instrumental interpretations of Mark Knopfler’s music, Josip Susic’s version of “Your Latest Trick” is well worth watching.
You can listen to the full performance below and discover another creative tribute to one of Dire Straits’ most memorable songs.
You can also explore more about Josip and his musical project “Samo Moment / Just Moment”, as well as his other Dire Straits-inspired performances featured on Dire Straits Blog – HERE.
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