Hip Hop Fan Reacts To Alchemy Telegraph Road Live By Dire Straits

[@thehighlander959]

The keyboards player got a raise.He was the Director of Music for Tina Turner.

[@doughaviland1729]

Hands down, one of the GREATEST performances EVER! I never get tiredof hearing this absolute MASTERPIECE!😀

[@davidlukey5189]

I'm the same with this performance. My all time favourite live performance.

[@carinvanhummel8621]

Agree 100% For me the best song ever made from their best album Alchemy. My to-go-to song every day. Still tears and goosebumps even after all those years...damm 🎸🔥🎸🔥

[@bobguitarlearner8007]

hard to believe this came out almost 40 years ago. Amazing.

[@RadCenter]

"Alchemy" is an appropriate word for this album. Each of these musicians is great in his own right, but when you put them together, they turn to pure gold!

[@julienmarquet8612]

Completely!

[@georgesheffield1580]

This is one of the most underrated parts of Mark's musical ability ,to orchestrate the different musicians together . This is why other famous musicians have used him for this purpose ..

[@fernandottito2557]

MASTERPIECE, Mark Knopfler is a genius

[@Jocke-W]

Alcemy is one of the best albums produced ever!

[@isabelledrevet5913]

This track is a masterpiece and the sound of "Alchemy" is incredible, sound engineers made an amazing work and mix on this live ❤

[@starburstppl]

Brilliant musicians, brilliant song!!

[@georgesheffield1580]

Brilliant story telling

[@TollGateAB]

From the same Alchemy live concert you’ll inevitably fall for Tunnel Of Love, Once Upon A Time In The West, Romeo And Juliet or Private Investigations. The whole (incomplete) show captured on camera is to great!

[@Theimbennn]

What I love about this song is the music and the lyrics go hand in hand in perfect symmetry the keys make you think of a beautiful and simplistic nature landscape and human emotion while and the guitar playing and the drumming just makes you think of nails being hammered into the wood cabin and being fast forwarded through time to steel beams being put in place by cranes and hammers banging on steel for skyscrapers and the six lanes of traffic that’s filled with countless trucks moving slow we fast forward through the industrialisation of the land and then we get the consequences of such industrialisation through the human element the modern person has been fired/laid off and there’s “no work to be found” anymore and all the signs are saying “sorry but were closed” and this persons significant other is unhappy they are “acting a little colder like that don’t seem to care” the telegraph road is having a deeply negative effect on the main protagonist from work to personal life but even tho in the final verse of the song it starts of with these lyrics “but believe in me baby, and I’ll take you away from out of this darkness and into the day” and it’s got a motivational ending that they will leave the telegraph road to greener pastures I feel like it’s false hope, I feel like this line from the previous verse says it pretty clear “and the birds up on the wires and the telegraph poles can always fly away of this rain and this cold” implying he simply can’t this town is ingrained in his identity it’s the protagonists hometown even tho it’s shitty the telegraph road will keep them in place capitalism will grind him out and keep the main protag put. I’ll admit the last section about the ending is simply my opinion and take but I feel objectively everything else I said is pretty universal it’s a masterpiece of a song the best they ever did it's up there with the greatest rock songs and story telling songs of all time.

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

Syed I think we can safely say you are out of the hiphop closet and into the rock n roll street!

[@grunthostheflatulent9649]

The whole band has incredible "feel". Really magical

[@julienmarquet8612]

A pure ALCHEMY, the perfection, when some human beings, are playing together! Unreal performance!

[@grimreaper-qh2zn]

Mark is definitely from Newcastle. Newcastle United Football Club play his Theme from the film Local Hero at the start of all home games. Don't forget Mark has, to date 9 solo studio albums plus lots of film music (Local Hero, Cal, Princess Bride, Comfort and Joy, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Wag the Dog, Metroland, A Shot at Glory and Altamira)

[@devilsadvocate2548]

Terry Williams killed it on Sultans, Alan Clark killed it on this track! Mark again doing what he does best. Such a brilliant concert with everyone in the zone and feeling the music. All were at the top of their game.

[@bydavidmitchell]

Great reaction to and appreciation for an incredible song. Telegraph Road is a work of art. The entire band pulled off the performance of a lifetime - the likes of which, sadly, none of us will likely ever get to see again. Keep up the good work.

[@sneakyfox4651]

Try Camel's "Lady Fantasy" From their 2014 "In From The Cold Tour" DVD. Lots of guitar, lots of keyboards, just as long, just as good.

[@racinnut77]

I was fortunate to see Dire Straits live twice. They are my favorite band. Mark Knopfler rightfully gets credit as an all time great guitarist, however the other members of the band are excellent musicians in their own right. Watch any live performance and point out which member wasn't awesome at what he was doing. I think Kopfler is underrated because he's not flamboyant and in your face. Notice when he solos he doesn't step forward to bring all the attention to himself and do all kinds of crazy thing. He typically steps back to be at the same level as the other guitarists and just plays without the gyrations or anything else that bring attention to him. The pianist Alan Clark joined the band circa 1980. The Straits needed a keyboardist so they asked around for recommendations. Clark was referred and the rest was history. That's how it worked back in the day if you were a player with a great reputation.

[@patrick3926]

Masterpiece and my favorite version of this song 🔥 thank you for reacting and enjoying

[@jelenitad1496]

That's LIVE... Immaculate! Can't hear it today anywhere, cause they all use some sort of "help".

[@RogerM9]

Great musicians who were at the top of their game just killing it, and they knew it. It's magic when that happens.

[@DavidTateVA]

That distinctive acoustic guitar sound at the opening is from the metal-front acoustic guitar made by National. Paul Simon refers to it in his classic song Graceland: "The Mississippi delta was shining like a National guitar...."

[@orionrodi]

I just love that chrisp sound, of the National!

[@georgesheffield1580]

A resonator style guitar

[@georgesheffield1580]

Interesting fact : Mark was a lecture on writing at University and holds three honorarium PhD's in Music .

[@madsandreassen5441]

I like that you refer to Sultans Of Swing as another highlight from the tour - it is, but mate it’s all one concert. Alchemy the album was recorded on one night, what I wouldn’t give to have been there, although I would have been 12 years old at the time… Great reaction video, and some very great observations about both the playing and mood end sentiment of the song, nice work. Also I like the fact that you look just like I feel every time I hear this song: A big smile and a big “wow”!

[@Orbitalmercury]

This song in this concert is one of the best performances of all time. A slice of heaven . In other live performances of this song they actually do use a flute instead of the keyboard.

[@coversbyshubham2556]

Indeed, this instrumentation is perfect. Also about the voice of Knopfler, it is actually inspired from Bob Dylan. You can actually hear the influence, where he’s not exactly singing, but still is managing to catch notes. Pianist was Alan Clarke, one of the best pianist of all time! Terry Williams on drums is just amazing to see. Also Hal Lindes and John Illsley on rhythm and bas is actually makes this song stand out!

[@chriseasterling5506]

The pianist & YOU both need a raise 👊🏻

[@davidfeltz8697]

This song and this version is just one of my favorites. This transcends music. This is a composition. My favorite tune ever. Often overlooked.

[@pcard10]

Saw them at a small club in Atlanta in 1978. They had so few songs in their portfolio, they played Sultans of Swing twice. Great show!

[@davidjames3080]

Probably was 1979? Their first US tour opened at the Paradise Club, Boston on 23/2/79.

[@pcard10]

you are correct. I looked up their tour dates and the show I was at was 9/21/1979. It was listed as being at the Fox Theater, but it was actually across the street at the Electric Ballroom.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

I love rock and roll. Concerts in those days really took you on a journey.

[@chrisbanks5925]

Awesome live performance . . . I saw them several times when I was living in London.

[@carinvanhummel8621]

Best of the Best. An eargasm!!! Such a masterpiece, this is crazy🎸🔥🎸🔥❤️

[@tamifaulkner4103]

It is so much fun to watch your enjoyment of this absolute masterpiece! Just an amazing performance!

[@TrianglesAndCircles]

Best live Telegraph Road performance in my opinion. Thanks Syed - great reaction.

[@johnpbh]

I was lucky enough to be an audience member in the UK on that tour.... Just so amazing as you can imagine... and what a way to end a concert before the encores. It's hard to single out a track from that tour but Romeo & Juliet was amazing, the tracks starts with the same steel guitar that is used at the beginning of this track but all the lights were down and a single spotlight shone on the guitar and as Mark moved it sent flashes of light around the concert hall... Just a fabulous way to start the song. Keep on Rocking.

[@mamaflush9945]

I've always loved this band and I don't mind admitting, I had a tiny crush on Mark Knopfler when I was a teenager. I never thought about comparing him to Bruce Springsteen, but I can totally see it after you explained more. And when you mentioned a Symphony, I thought it would be the perfect time to introduce to another iconic group. This Jeff Lynne and his orchestra (Electric Light Orchestra) are hugely popular. This was another band that had spectacular concerts. They had massive stadiums filled with fans. Here's a live performance, in case you're interested "Standin' In The Rain - Jeff Lynne's ELO Alone In The Universe 2017 UK TOUR" That was a very nice reaction, thanks for the memories👍

[@imgoodatmoaning9561]

I had a crush on mark too. Mine wasn’t tiny. It was big.

[@orthodoxblue7252]

Brother, your take on this track is so unique. You surely have musical insight beyond most people. I’m loving it 👍

[@citizenghosttown]

Wonderful! Usually, a studio recording is preferable for what you do - calling out the craft, musicianship and artistry of the song and the songwriting. But here the live track offers even more --- more of Knopfler's terrific guitar work and an even deeper emotional range because of the dynamics and energy of the live performance. Great choice!

[@corbe1970ify]

Performances like this is like haleys comet, you will only ever see it once every 75 years, I still wanna know what possessed knopfler to sit down and write a song that was 14 minutes long 😮 what an absolute masterpiece 🥺

[@MrJosedaluz]

Stars aligned in this alchemy. The first album I bought was Dire Straits. My first music love, still love it.

[@GuitarPlayersFun]

Also a beautiful version, especially for guitarist. Good view on his fingers. Basel Live ,92 - Telegraph Road: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGWqoah6btunmtU

[@christiantoth7959]

Love your Reactions. The whole Alchemy Album ist fantastic. And of course there is another gem - Private Investigations...

[@paalvk]

In their moment in time, all of these great musicians came together and made some amazing music. Classic!

[@georgesheffield1580]

Alen Clark ,keys , is one of the outstanding keyboard players and plays often with mark still ,same w/ john on the base

[@coxfire]

Alchemy is a musical delight from start to finish. The band is so tight, they have fun, the audience is fabulous, definitely one of the "must hear /must see" gig. Glad to see you enjoy. About Mark Knopfler: when Eric Clapton himself plays rhythm guitar for you, that speaks volumes about your talent. His tone and ability to tell a story with only guitar notes is simply amazing. Definitely try Brothers in arms Mandela tribute live, another banger.

[@KNOPFLERSGOD]

Great reaction, I love seeing people appreciate a band I have loved for decades. The whole Alchemy concert is amazing, try Tunnel of Love next, but listen to the studio version then the Alchemy live version.

[@stephentaylor8964]

And the search the internet for the Southern Star or Secrets in the Closet versions. These are two concert recordings from Texas in 1986, which blow the Alchemy Tunnel Love version away. Think they are both 18 mins long. One is slightly better than the other as it’s a soundboard recording, but interestingly Mark Knopfler always said he didn’t mind people recording them live, as it never hurt them.

[@seanstevenson9891]

So glad you revisited this Dire Straits live masterpiece. Thank you. Subscribed and Liked. 👍

[@OriginalLuffe]

I am so glad that this new ”reaction” youtube culture introduces our music to new generations ❤ I was born 1968 🎉

[@DavidWatkiss]

almost impossible to believe this was live, wow

[@davidlukey5189]

You should absolutely react to Tunnel Of Love from this show next.

[@aidiess]

Dire Straits Wembley - 1985 live Have a listen !!!!!

[@damonhines8187]

Epic! And it's called "dynamics"!!

[@jaynicholas523]

You need to see tunnel of love same concert

[@timjones9727]

My mum & dad bought me the VHS 😂 of this when I was seven. Mark Knopfler became my guitar hero and remains so. Seen him live multiple times on his solo tours and seen Telegraph Road live many times. This version remains the best though. He’s a genius song writer and guitarist and life is better for it.

[@timbrom]

Sultans of Swing will always be my favourite, but lyrically this is the most poetic track they ever did. Wonderful!

[@peter9910]

Thanks for the reaction! Tunnel of Love (Studio, Wembley or Alchemy Live), Once Upon a Time in the West (Alchemy Live) and Brothers in Arms (Mandela Live) are also definitely worth checking out :)

[@eduartkoruni9119]

Syed.. you should also check another Out Space Live performance.. the Crossroads, originally written by Robert Jonhson but played in something indescribable way by E Clapton and Mark Knopfler in 1988, with both them paying a tribute to one of the apostles of guitar Robert Johnson

[@phillipharrison7283]

The outro is brilliant - like an organised jam session. Mark and John Illsley the bassist are the only 2 constant members of the band.

[@anthonyblavos8713]

I bought the Lovem Over Gold album when it came out and loved this song on it but never heard the Live Alchemy version of it. Very impressive, everybody plays their asses off!

[@GuitarPlayersFun]

Great reaction. Yeah the piano part of Alan Clark is amazing!

[@karlfran0404]

John Ilsley excellent bass really is the glue that keeps this epic song together. Some of the major shifts in tone, and they’re many, are driven by this bass. All the instruments fuse brilliantly

[@Richard.Pompey]

I'm enjoying your reactions to songs. It brings back memories of when i first heard a good song. Hear is how Mark Knopfler got the idea for the song. The Telegraph Road is a major north-south 70 mile thoroughfare in Michigan. Mark Knopfler was inspired to write this song while riding in the front of the tour bus, which made the journey down Telegraph Road. At the time, Knopfler was reading the novel The Growth Of the Soil by the Nobel Prize winning Norwegian author Knut Hamsun and he was inspired to put the 2 together and write a song about the beginning of the development along Telegraph Road and the changes over the ensuing decades. This was a metaphor for the development of America and the ruining of one man's dreams in the wake of its decline, in particular focusing on unemployment. Amazing sound for the time.

[@andrewrose9707]

LOL! I'd never heard of Mark Knopfler being described as looking like John McEnroe but what a great observation! McEnroe also plays guitar btw - but I'm guessing not as well 😅 Glad you enjoyed this classic track

[@dmn23]

People frequently mention Dylan when they're trying to describe Mark's voice and delivery, but Mark also pulled a lot from J.J. Cale. He's worth a listen for sure.

[@andrewtims9524]

J.j.cale is so underrated

[@castnoshadow82lr48]

I was brought up on this live album and to this day it is still my favourite piece of live music I’ve ever heard

[@BertSmithLondon]

Thisn't the best song you've listened to this month, this is the best song you've listened to EVER!

[@BertSmithLondon]

By the way, Tunnel of Love in Australia, is absolutely incredible.

[@colinstevens2691]

Now you have to do Tunnel of Love from Alchemy….this has my favourite outro of any song ever!

[@helenespaulding7562]

It is interesting that Mark Knopfler often is not included in “top 20” and such lists of guitar players. I’m thinking that, even though he had a unique and easily recognizable sound, his playing was very “clean” and understated. Not much distortion, whammy, wah-wah, dramatic bends. He was impressive for damn sure, a great player, but doesn’t ooze charisma. Those are some reasons I think he is underrated.

[@timwebber9277]

All good points. When you consider that a 'clean' sound like Mark's leaves you less places to 'hide' (in terms of inaccurate playing), Mark is actually a virtuoso of the instrument. And he'd rather let the music be the star of the show rather than himself, I feel. He's on a list of his own, really.

[@dalegallacher7074]

I think other guitarists rate him highly….they talk about the nerves when playing on stage with him

[@helenespaulding7562]

@@dalegallacher7074 yup. Those who know, know.

[@georgesheffield1580]

Most of those list are for rock guitar shredders ,nothing else , no classical, no blues , no country , no jazz , just rock shredders that play fast and furious .

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

@@georgesheffield1580 well…….I should have stated that he “often is not included in the “top 20” and such lists of ROCK guitar players”. That’s what I meant. So classical, jazz and country would not be a part of it. And on rock lists, I must say that no, it’s not all shredders. David Gilmore is almost always included. Often BB King. Chuck Berry or Buddy Guy. Clapton is not a shredder. Nor Jeff Beck are Satriani and Vai “shredders”?. I DO think that if younger people are making up a list, it tends more toward shredders, but if classic rock and blues rock lovers are doing the ranking, then shredding is not a guaranty of making the list. I defer allot to the lists that Rick Beato makes. I trust his knowledge and taste. If you have not checked out his channel, he’s a must.

[@georgeerhard1949]

Keep in mind, this was the encore. They'd already played a full set... and then came back out and played this long song for the fans.

[@richardhargrave6082]

I was there in 1983 and the standout musicians were Terry Williams on the drums and Alan Clark on the keys It was my second concert, and its still possibly the best

[@adamhall1615]

Mark was actually born in Glasgow Scotland..

[@questionableabsanity]

Private investigations is another stand-out!

[@krash66]

I saw Dire Straits on this tour for "Love Over Gold". "Alchemy" is my favor Dire Straits album, because it's like a live "Best Of" up that point in 1983 for Dire Straits. Really great versions of: "Once Upon a Time in the West", "Tunnel of Love", "Two Young Lovers", "Telegraph Road", and my favorite from this album, "Romeo and Juliet". Do others from this album and you are in for a treat.

[@thesonnytackettshow7949]

I think what you’re hearing that gives you the Springsteen vibe is the phrasing. For instance in Sultans of Swing I don’t think you’d make that comparison, the phrasing is totally different. But here I could almost hear Bruce singing this. It’s his style of phrasing. Mark has a distinct voice but can use it in so many ways. My personal favorite is Once Upon a Time in The West. Great video, Sonny T

[@aaronfledge]

I think Bob Dylan said it best when he said Dire Straits sound like one person. There's no band that blends the way they do - even more amazing when you consider they had a couple of lineup changes over the years.

[@georgesheffield1580]

Might be why Dylan used Mark to do some of his music , just might ,right !

[@olisipocity]

For me Telegraph Road is without a doubt the musical masterpiece of Dire Straits and probably one of the best songs ever written since forever. The only difficult thing to me is to decide which version is better, the studio version or the live one. How can you improve on perfection. It's like deciding between loving one son over another.

[@georgesheffield1580]

Musicians that feed off the audience and preform best live are tthe real musicians . Mark and D S are one .

[@RadCenter]

More great live performances: "In Your Eyes," by Peter Gabriel (Secret World Live tour, 1993) "Sunday Bloody Sunday," by U2 (live at Red Rocks, 1983) Queen's whole set from Live Aid (1983) "Folsom Prison Blues," by Johnny Cash (live at San Quentin Prison, 1969) "Sing, Sing, Sing (with a Swing)," by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra (live at Carnegie Hall, 1938)

[@blabla48076]

Ooh that In Your Eyes performance always sends shivers down my spine

[@ronjenkins7998]

Mark was smiling at you sitting in the front row ....Nobody has mentioned that in any of the clips i have watched...Will last forever ,,,?? Incredable all band members ...

[@devilsadvocate2548]

Another concert that is 'next level' and IMHO held on a similar plane to Alchemy and Pulse etc as something special is John Farnham playing with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. One of the most skilled (and down to earth) male vocalists of all time belting out his 3.5 octave range with a world renowned Symphony Orchestra. Live concerts don't get much better and Farnsey live is totally world class. His audience engagement is also almost without peer.

[@viviennerose6858]

I always hear shades of Bob Dylan in his vocals (of whom I'm also a fan btw)

[@stansharpley7200]

While he was performing this he was writing brothers in arms

[@davidfeltz8697]

Great reaction bro. Check out private investigations. This song just raises my fur.his guitar is always licking and plucking something!

[@danwood4171]

Jimmy H, Stevie Ray, and a couple of others can play the guitar into submission. However, for nuanced genius and total mastery I'll take David Gilmore and Mark Knopfler any day of the week.

[@professornuke7562]

As a kid in the 80's, I had red Fender bullet, tennis headband and wrist bands, an old suit jacket with the sleeves pushed up and a white T-shirt with the Brett Whitely arrows on it. What an insufferable wanker I must have looked. I wore the taped copy of this album out trying to play along with it. I succeeded so well that I became a bass player.

[@shard841]

Dire Straits Tunnel Of Love live Wembley is even better.

[@IwasInThe60s]

I think one has to read "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck before you can really appreciate this song.

[@lindachrisman915]

Born in Glasgow but he’s a Geordie Boy.

[@WilliamWalker-y2v]

Old Newcastle. George lad

[@sj49770]

The comparison to Springsteen is apt... Springsteen's band also had an ace pianist, Roy Bittan.

[@General_Cheeseburger]

And Roy Bittain played piano on the Makin Movies album which was the one before Love Over Gold. Listen to Expresso Love from Making Movies, and then the live version from Alchemy. They could be two different songs. The studio version is good but the Alchemy version is banging.

[@dannymoore6886]

The old adage the best note played is the note not played works just as well on the piano as the guitar.

[@corbe1970ify]

You mentioned you never see marks name come up when they talk about guitarists, well I'm here to tell you that someone has got it VERY VERY WRONG, he's top 5 without a shadow of a doubt, end of!!! 🥺

[@alainduvent4758]

cool

[@firstfreonwarrior]

They really don't make like that anymore!

[@davidfeltz8697]

Many consider Mark as in the Top rock guitarists of modern times. I put him higher. He is a genius. Brothers in Arms just makes me weep every time. This shit is pretty ridiculous.

[@JohnTaylor-cc6tm]

What you thought might be Japanese was, I think, intended to invoke the N American wilderness with its native American people and culture before the settlement by the new Americans.

[@orthodoxblue7252]

It doesn’t get much better than Terry Williams on drums.

[@bloodmoon1956]

Sometimes I think Mark sounds a bit like Lou Reed on some tracks.

[@derekdevenny122]

He's from Glasgow

[@georgesheffield1580]

But moved and grew up Geordie

[@castnoshadow82lr48]

The problem with musicians these days is they don’t wear headbands, sweatbands and vests

[@simply_psi]

Dire Straits one of the all time great live bands, up there with, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Lynyrd Skynyd and ELO