Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing (Demo version)

Recorded at Pathway Studios (8-track), Halloway, July 1977 - Engineered by Chas Herington.
Mark Knopfler, vocal and guitar - David Knopfler, guitar and vocal - John Illsley, bass and vocal - Pick Withers, drums.
From the vinyl record "The Honky Tonk Demos", Oval Records - 1979.

[@shionyr]

If anything, this demo just shows how much Dire Straits was a BAND, not backing players for Mark. Mark was certainly the main creative force, but Dave's soft strumming + backing vocals and Pick's slightly ahead-of-beat crisp drumming did so much for their early sound that Mark's solo material never really reclaimed. IMO.

[@AidanMadden]

Listening back to some of their music lately, I was struck by something that completely passed me by as a kid, how interested they were in inventive timing and phrasing, not just making catchy cool tunes. There's a meticulousness to how they put it all together that was lost on me then, maybe I was fooled by Knopfler's laconic vocal phrasing.

[@dba4292]

@Shionyr I agree so much with this.

[@ekstradycja]

if someone records that sort of demo you know he's one of the greatest. Mark Knopfler is from another planet

[@gordonm7038]

Mac J It's like Neil Young says, "Capture the sound. Get it strong. Fucking around with retakes and dubs just loses the groove."

[@MrFablues]

yes Planet of new orleans

[@ivarnymo1693]

Reading "my life in Dire Straits" now.I never knew the story was told.discovered it by accident,and a local bookstore in Bergen had a copy. Illsley is not just a bassplayer.he is a proper author.I know the story of Dire straits from a fan's prespective. No I'm getting it direct from the horses mouth.I heard the band for the first time in 1983,and instantly became an addict.I may be the person in this world who has been listening the most hours to Dire Straits music. This version of sultans was new to me. Flawless demo. Now,back to my book.they are about to hit the big time there.still no airtime on the radio.

[@azapro911]

This has to be one of the highest quality demos ever, 85% of what we all heard is there.

[@here98FIN]

This is good version. Usually if you hear a song, its that version which is "the only correct one", but this is good also. I think the famous version has better final solo, but in this the singing sounds better and the words are more clearly articulated.

[@sypex_gg]

Best song ever recorded. Mark knopfler is a amazing and produced this musical masterpiece

[@enjoyyoursleep1]

This version is all about the creativity of the band and it certainly captures the core of Dire Straits! Great to have this available to the public. As I read 'My life in DIRE STRAITS' by John Illsley, finding this on KZbin makes the read all the more enjoyable!

[@BrQQQr]

The best last solo in this version ! endless

[@michaelyoung8864]

Another beautiful milestone on the bumpy road of rock and roll ... More than 40 years old and still as fresh and toe-tappingly good. Thank you Mark Knopfler. Thank you Charlie Gillett, wherever you are.

[@jonaskoehler4811]

This is what we call rock n roll

[@alandamiancarrizo8747]

hear that?? thats history right there

[@jakeroo71]

i just had a beer. listened to this.........there is a god! im a believer¬!!!!!!!

[@ir10031981]

Sultans of Swing rocks man! I LOVE IT!

[@firdausHITMAN]

This kicks ass

[@mpergn]

The King of the guitar. This is Pure ( Magic). God bless you and keep you, Mr. Mark Knopfler. Dire Straits (Forever). God bless you all.

[@LucioPalmaJr]

Singing like Dylan more than ever

[@emcarnahan]

Love the harmonies about 2:30

[@o_solovio]

This is good!

[@Kingbird66]

thanks for this.

[@susanjack813]

I was there

[@dba4292]

How many others?

[@JohnIllsley]

Have you listened to the new live album from Dire Straits bassist John Illsley? Including Private Investigations, Money for Nothing and Romeo and Juliet...

[@malthelindgreen1191]

Ofcourse i have listened to long shadows! Its very good

[@dariovega9772]

El xokas 😂

[@crow-dont-know]

They apparently struggled to record a studio version as good as the demo

[@akk1412]

heavy lero

[@haysfordays]

I like this one. Strat is a little out o' tune. Almost adds to the story. @3:32 he does a full step up bend vs the half step on the record 1/2 is better. And how the heck does a 27 year old write this story?? About aging part-time musicians. The unsung!!

[@haysfordays]

@K Mehdi A keen observer, that Mark.

[@nahuelma97]

I noticed the full step/half step when I heard it but had to watch the video again to notice what you meant and then it clicked lol very much into the details you are

[@haysfordays]

@@nahuelma97 it's my curse. Lol

[@dariovega9772]

He was a journalist, this is why he wrote this kind of songs

[@johnnyhoodoo1200]

I bought the original album when it came out, I've never heard this before!

[@nahuelma97]

I read this up tonight lol they'd recorded this, among a few other songs, showed it to a radio DJ, he liked it and played it, it got the attention of record label, they signed them, and then they re recorded all the songs, including this one, and released the version most of us know in their debut album

[@progmeup]

@@nahuelma97 And then there's this alternate version used on the single: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqnYdKaXYrCCic0

[@ir10031981]

finally, a dislike free video! now that's what I like to see. I am like #119.

[@raydarable]

I'm #134

[@haba3000]

I'm #177.

[@haba3000]

There is now 2 dislikes.

[@nahuelma97]

@@haba3000 no more

[@NEWKIDINTOWNMUSIC]

Imitating Bob Dyaln a tad too much with his vocals just like everybody else in the 70's ....evidently this had to be recorded again....but it's a good demo :-)

[@pit2ryan3]

Great song, great drums, great bass, great rhythm guitar (thanks to David K), nice guitar solo (thanks to JJ Cale...) but less than average singing...

[@krisscanlon4051]

Cool...not much difference in this one and Basing St single. All the elements are there...just needs well produced lol