Dire Straits Sultans Of Swing Alchemy Live

[@bsvenss2]

Best version ever!! The drummer Terry Williams lifts it to another level.

[@MaddyReactions]

Definitely

[@tomlaw17]

Puts the studio version to shame.

[@Isleofskye]

@@MaddyReactions His Dad was watching him for the first time so he made it that little bit extra special in his performance. The encore from that same gig "Telegraph Road" is epic and The Keys really come into that finale. ENJOY:)

[@Isleofskye]

@@tomlaw17 To the extent that I bypass it on my CD when driving,like today in London.

[@sf0tacticalguy]

Love this version!

[@mikelundquist4596]

Mark Knopfler plays the coolest licks with ease and a smile, you know he's not even working hard. Brilliant.

[@TheLifesentence2278]

money for nothin

[@surfwriter8461]

He's working hard at hardly working. The boy can play. Never took a lesson, unbelievably.

[@deirdre108]

My favorite moment here is around 03:25 when Terry Williams plays those incredible fills and Mark and the bass player look back at Terry, then at each other and know "we're riding in the pocket now".

[@SeaJayAudit]

Yep, that is indeed a fantastic reaction. Not that ever would, but no way were they mailing this one in the rest of the way. The whole band knew that perfection was on the line - and they truly nailed it.

[@Hambie76]

Indeed!

[@johnbordach4195]

This song was and still is, a monster.

[@MaddyReactions]

Definitely

[@michaelchialastri1088]

Right on!

[@scottnokes]

Maddy, Mark Knopfler is one of the all-time greatest guitar players. I have been playing guitar for almost 50 years, and I can tell you that Mark is a grandmaster of the guitar. He plays without a pick, and has such a clean, pure, and soulful sound. Very impressive. I agree with you that John Illsley on bass, and Terry Williams on Drums really add a lot to the underlying driving groove of the song. Really enjoyed your reaction. You have a new sub.

[@coreywickramasekera9968]

The studio recording is great too, but LIVE just makes you see what great musicians they all are

[@Vic-l3l]

Terrence William the Welsh Drummer carried the song and made it his own. He was mental and I would have bought tickets just to see him all night

[@thekingcobra63]

This whole Alchemy album is incredible. Was fortunate enough to actually catch Dire Straits in concert once, definitely was a check off of my bucket list!

[@MaddyReactions]

🤗🤗🤗

[@bobbys4327]

No one plays like Mark Knopfler....he is his own style and is fantastic! This is the best of his work, right here at this performance. The whole band was ON, REALLY ON!

[@jorgeelijahrodriguez9132]

The Drummer is the Star of this song; even the band members are amazed.

[@bazkeen]

Mark Knopfler's finger picking is second to none. And his story telling is just soooo good 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻 The Sultans Of Swing was a jaz band that he stumbled upon in a bar on a wet London day. They were very mediocre 😂😂😂 Thus the song was born 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@MaddyReactions]

So good!!

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

And he’s a REAL man, like Clapton, Roger Waters, etc….not bowing down to these leftist commie lunatics, good sh*t

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

I know dude, 9ve been p,along for yrs and to be able to make a strat sound that good clean…especially fingerpicked…usually I’m not a fan of a Strats “ice pick” like shrill sound, but in his hands anything sounds awesome…people always mention Eric Johnson’s “Cliffs of Dover “ about a great clean strat tone, but on the actual record Eric plays a 335

[@laurentogorman5957]

jeff beck !

[@ronmullard5718]

drummer is brilliant....great live performance....

[@littleredridinghood5622]

I love it when a guitar is picked like a banjo ..

[@bobmiller9313]

3 finger pickin is Awsome

[@denveradams4909]

I have listened to this song, many times. A few comments. First, Mark's style of playing the guitar, with just his fingers instead of using a pick, makes the lead guitar sound more subdued. He is a fantastic guitar player and has some great licks, but other instruments have to step up and carry the song. The drums and bass do exactly that. Not enough is said about the keyboards. I believe there are actually two keyboard players in this performance. The organ at the end is just the icing on the cake. Overall, you will never see a better live band performance than this. just fantastic. The perfect balance between talent and showmanship.

[@ikluso9773]

Spot on regarding the bassist and drummer's setting the landscape for Mark's masterful guitar work. You are the first reaction in the dozens of reactions that I have watched to this song that has commented on this.

[@mancebo7]

TERRY WILLIAMS on drums - superb!

[@joesimonetti]

This is one of the best live performances recorded...wish I had been there to witness and enjoy it live.

[@grizzlynad]

I was there, awesome night 👍🏻

[@stonemansteveiii3135]

One of the greatest performances of all-time!!

[@Old_gamer1292]

This is definitely the best version and with that final solo it was epic.

[@IanDarley]

Terry Williams, often overlooked and taken for granted, tight AF drummer.

[@MaddyReactions]

👍 agreed 👍

[@olaflangness2907]

Coffee shops in Japan always had a theme to distinguish them from all the other shops ( no Starbucks back in the 1980s). One that my wife and I frequented barely had room for us and our toddler because of the giant stack of speakers. Dire Straits had just released their Brothers in Arms album, and the shop owner played it over and over, day after day. He never got tired of Dire Straits and neither did we. Good memories of sharing life with my spouse who recently passed away.

[@MaddyReactions]

Sending hugs 🩷

[@seanstevenson9891]

One of the best concerts ever. Tunnel of Love, Telegraph Road, Romeo and Juliet are can't misses. Love the new shirt. Best one yet. 🤟😁

[@MaddyReactions]

Yesss

[@michaelsmith5021]

Mark always lays down such melodic solos.

[@MaddyReactions]

Sooo good

[@loveloochay]

🌬🌬🧡🧡🧡🔥🧡🧡🧡🌬🌬 .. this is a ""Wowwwzer" song. The studio version was played all the time on the radio stations in the 80s .. It had the vibe of going out in a Saturday night .. told from some London boys. But .... this live version is a total ripper. The bass is flowing .. the drums are just incredible and then Mr. Mark Knophler just shredding the lead guitar and lead vocals. He is loved by all the great guitarists because of his unique style and the ease he has all the time. Just an incredible band , and I hope you more of their songs. ... like Brothers In Arms - Your Latest Trick - Walk Of Life - Romeo & Juliet 🎼🎼🎼🔶️🔶️🔶️🔥🔶️🔶️🔶️🎼🎼🎼

[@MaddyReactions]

So true

[@chris6770]

Everybody bought their album in 1985, just huge. But for me, Mark's theme for the film Local Hero is what lives with me still. Such a good band 😊

[@MaddyReactions]

🩷🩷🩷

[@jjc5407]

@@MaddyReactions as @chris6770 alludes to, Mark Knopfler is also a highly accomplished film composer. If you've ever seen the much-loved movie The Princess Bride then you'll have heard an example. The whole soundtrack was written by Mark and performed by himself and keyboard player Guy Fletcher (who joined Dire Straits shortly after the Alchemy Tour and is still part of Mark's band to this day). The only exception is the song that plays over the end credits which was written and performed by Willy DeVille and arranged by Mark. Mark was friends with Willy and realised the song would be perfect for the film. He was right; it was nominated for an Academy Award but lost out to (I've Had) The Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing.

[@stevenpryce7808]

Mark is a huge Newcastle United fan,just like me,the theme he wrote for the film local hero is played every home game when the players come out onto the pitch 👍"Howay the lads"

[@jeffwhitehead7990]

He composed the score for a movie titled “Cal” which is quite good as well. From that score, “The Long Road” is a favorite instrumental of mine and unmistakably, Knopfler.

[@jjc5407]

I really like the title track to his most recent film score Altamira, which he composed with world-renowned percussionist Evelyn Glennie (who's happens to be deaf). I haven't seen the film yet though.

[@tiagopinto365]

the guitarrists are brothers.. Mark is a master and he composed and demanded the best of his musicians while also letting them shine.. marvelous!!

[@tonytroiani6599]

I have love over gold and brothers in Arms in Vinal in perfect condition. I recorded them on tape to preserve the albums and continually listed in my car were ever I went. Their are many amazing bands of my day. Dire Straits is one of those exceptional bands headed by an exceptional Guitarist. My only regret is not going a live concert, as this performance is amazing. You are a beautiful lady with a little bit of a Whitney look about you! Your analysis of mark being carried on a sea of musical brilliance is spot on. I know those aren't your exact words but Hey 🥂🥂👍👍

[@jeffstevens4262]

Lead guitarist, lead vocalist and songwriter Mark Knopfler is actually left handed and he doesn't use a pick, it's all fingers and thumbs. Maddy, you mentioned Mark's vocals. I think he likes the music he writes to take centre stage so maybe doesn't concentrate too much on his vocal delivery as many other's might do...but I still think he has a unique style, kind of Dylan like. I think he's a genius in what he does and the band made so many wonderful songs down the years. I hope you react to some more of their work for all of us real soon. 🙋‍♂ ❤ 🙋‍♂ ❤ That's me subscribed!

[@daviddodge782]

"Brothers in Arms" but be prepared to have your heart broken.

[@AretaicGames]

Truth. I wouldn't care to know anyone who didn't at least get a lump in the throat listening to "Brothers in Arms".

[@jamesdalton8539]

Mark Knopfler (singer, lead guitar) a true living legend! This video from mid 80s, a full decade after the release of this song, and the band kept it fresh after probably playing it over a thousand times live by this point!!

[@MaddyReactions]

So epic!!

[@strato9223]

SOS original record is from 1978. Alchemy live version is 1983.

[@balthazartrumpi6808]

Mark Knopfler and David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) are my two favorite guitarists. Check out Dire Straits' performance of Brothers In Arms live (On The Night tour) and Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb live (Pulse concert). You won't be disappointed.

[@MaddyReactions]

Oooh

[@ronphelps9138]

Yup totally agree but I prefer the full screen versions without the stupid interruptions

[@ronphelps9138]

I guess it's a cheap way to make a few bucks

[@SteveStone-r1d]

One of the greatest performances of any art form ever!!!

[@lewismaddox4132]

Apparently the drummer's father was in the audience. He was so amped that the tempo was stepped up a notch or two...or 10. What's great is the band adapted. They understood and threw dust to the wind and crushed it!

[@thomasdorsey6197]

that smooth guitar player is in the hall of fame with his band and is considered to be one of the greatest guitar players in history. and he did it with out a plck just his fingers. great reaction

[@kieranobrien7342]

This is one of the best pieces of music ever made ❤️

[@MaddyReactions]

So good

[@kieranobrien7342]

The Wembley version with the saxophone is ❤️

[@truckrboat]

Dire Straits was a band of great musicians led by the lead guitar legend Mark Knopfler. They basically played this version at double time from the album version. But the solo kills it!!!!

[@hermandadams8376]

the Atmospherics of this song are part of British culture and folklore in the UK and many other places around the world in the 70/80s, Lads and lasses across the nation come wind or rain, came together in bleak industrial areas pubs and social clubs colleges and unis after a hard working weeks slog, doing 9 till 5 in an office or on a factory floor at the end of the humdrum week put on their best rags get together in various half empty bars and pubs and halls across the nation, then live their dreams and just let it all hang out and blast away and forget their troubles and dream, true legends all of them lads n lasses the seeding grounds of the Amazing pop/rock culture from the last half of the 20th century, i thank them all for the pleasure we had and still do from growing up in that era and the legacy they leave today, most of the rock bands were born this way and not created on so called tv reality shows that bare no relation at all to actual reality god bless all of them heros and vilians from back in them days

[@natandotan9950]

This is probably one of the best pieces of art ever created by humen beings🎉

[@MaddyReactions]

Yesss

[@coxfire]

Great reaction. Mark Knopfler is one of the most tasteful guitarist there is, his tone is unique. Terry Williams on the drums was unreal on this live. How these guys flow together and have fun on stzge, that's a masterpiece in musicianship

[@Mcdapa]

A once in a century epic piece of pure magic.

[@SKaR64]

One of the greatest songs ever written and performed from my youth.

[@TheKeepermike]

❤ love this song one of my favorites of all time. It’s crazy cuz he makes it look way easier than it is!!

[@musashimiyamoto586]

You just witnessed what I consider one of the greatest performances not just from the 80s, but in the history of rock.

[@MaddyReactions]

❤️‍🔥

[@Isleofskye]

Including the encore from that London gig "Telegraph Road"..

[@seanbarker4610]

When I first started playing guitar, my guitar teacher said to me 'the drums and bass guitar are the song!', 'everything you and the other band members is the icing on the cake!' Very well observed!

[@MaddyReactions]

100% accurate 🤗

[@PjRjHj]

Just like a pizza base

[@bretthemminger6133]

you made an excellent point with how the bassist and drummer are creating the landscape for the rest of the band. they definitely set the pace but the guitarist is nothing short of amazing.

[@warriorpitbull1170]

Great reaction again, Maddy. I've heard this song many many times over the years and never thought about it being a mix of blues and surf music. That's a very unique perception.

[@MaddyReactions]

It's so good!

[@mikelundquist4596]

At the crescendo, build at about 11:24 or so, the spotlight as he hits the peak of the solo gives me goosebumps.

[@paulocarvalho6480]

6:55 Mark Knopfler turns and looks at the drummer as if asking how on earth did he keep up with him. Well, the answer is easy ( at least for me). He is Terry Williams, one of the greatest drummers ever to step on a stage. And yes, Mark Knopfler can make any guitar sound beautiful. He can make you smile from ear to ear or cry your eyes out. Take a leap of faith and listen to the rest of this concert, specially Telegraph Road. It's such a whirlwind of sounds that will leave you in awe.

[@firstfreonwarrior]

The very best of British music.

[@dimitrimarichal1761]

It's obvious and a fact that Mark Knopfler is one of the greatest guitar player and this song is epic. but watching it again and again make appears that the drummer is also from an another world. Thanks Maddy to bring this live performance back in our memories.

[@alexanderhyams]

Thats Mark Nopfler on lead guitar----Pure Genius !!!

[@latheofheaven1017]

I like that the audience is clapping on the 2 and 4 in the breakdown. Nice upbeat feel!

[@primalengland]

Terry Williams was in my favourite band ‘Man’ before joining Dire Straits. He is amazing. His dad was there that night, and had never seen him play with DS. Ergo his ground breaking performance.

[@primalengland]

@@derklavierspieler7491 Rockpile were another of those ‘in the back of a Transit’ style bands that produced some great individual stars. Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds were in Rockpile. Those late 70s, early 80s bands were like a who’s who of influential musicians. I myself played in a band that morphed into one of the most influential bands of that early early punk era. If only I hadn’t dug my 70s rock heels in, I might be on a beach somewhere, rather than waiting for the Lancashire rain to stop so that I can take my dog out.

[@DoctorNerf]

I love so much music but I think the last 5 mins of this performance is the best live music has to offer.

[@wicasaokta]

Just another amazing reaction by such an amazing woman!!

[@MaddyReactions]

🩷🩷🩷

[@garymaclean6903]

All the comments about how the other performers were 'in sync with each other' and nothing about how Mark Knopfler gave one of his best performances ever? Mark is widely recognized as so very talented and one of the best guitarists ever...? They have a huge catalogue of great performances, and Mark has continued to do concerts into the 2020's.

[@gregleblanc9357]

I was fortunate enough to be able to see them Live in this era in the mid 80'3 when they came to Houston, TX. Best live performance I've EVER witnessed. All of these guy are just wreak with talent.

[@PjRjHj]

Cool seeing John Ilsley rocking the quintessentially 80s Wal Bass guitar. Like bringing a gun to a knife fight. Worth a pretty penny.

[@MaddyReactions]

Niceee

[@orangeandblackattack]

The drummer's dad was in the audience and Mark Knopfler (singer) told him to go of and he did! Absolute fire! 🔥

[@wesmartyn3829]

Saw this band live, twice.

[@Zentrix-24]

You picked the best live version of Sultans Of Swing by Dire Straits. Mark and the Drummer were OP imo

[@darylnelms1654]

I could just listen to that guitar riff near the end of this song all day every day and never get tired of it.

[@MaddyReactions]

So good

[@ianoo23]

Brothers in arms by dire straits is still one of my all time favourite songs- the lyrics, the meaning, the music, his vocals cannot be replicated as it would never feel anywhere near the same with anyone else singing it

[@jamesmathison6877]

New to your channel: thanks for playing this! This was a revelation to me in the 70’s!

[@pablomazzeo8540]

i was fan of Dire Straits till 12 years all never get tire of listen this music

[@MaddyReactions]

Love that!

[@raatroc]

You nailed it.. I saw them in 1978 in Amsterdam and the performance was completely different. They all look at Knopfler for what he's doing at the end of the song...

[@TBurd7950]

Terry Williams on drums gave it his all because his dad was in the audience and it was the first time he had heard his son play.

[@erikbarkefors2441]

I like Dire Straits, I like Sultans of Swing and I love this performance!

[@richardhargrave6082]

I was there, just 18, long hair. Gone! Terry Williams is so good on the drums, the best drummer no one has heard of? No, he was the best

[@esantirulo721]

I had the chance to see them in concert and the most astonishing thing was the speed of Mark's fingers.

[@johnhewett9483]

great great version, so different to the studio recording loved the improvisation, loved the bass and drums you are so right the drumming is exceptional. beautiful girl maddy too, what more could anyone want

[@hakannorlings2439]

Mark Knopfler in his band the Dire Straits is recognized as one of, if not the best guitarist in the, and have a unique style (finger picking)!

[@Jack-pu4rf]

This is just brilliant and a one off performance

[@huggybear1996]

Maddy, this is the Straits at their very best! It's from their eponymous first album, which is an all-time masterpiece, from start to finish.

[@kyotocoversjimanderson782]

Right up there with David Gilmour's Pulse solo on Comfortably Numb as my best ever live solo. Totally different styles, but love them both!

[@daveloboda1769]

Mark Knopfler is probably one of the most underrated guitarists, I can never understand why. Brilliant.

[@eh-i1841]

Mark has never been under-rated.Far from it.He’s respected,amongst the his peers,and adored by his fans.He’s got the fortune and the sales,and he does what he wants to do.

[@DavidCalvert-mh9sy]

Mark Knopfler and the band Dire Straits picked up from Led Zeppelin and became one of the truly great British rock troubadours. Must be something in the water there.

[@MaddyReactions]

Oooh epic

[@patricksutfin9374]

He is one of the top 5 guitar players of all time

[@Bill-yu1hc]

Best of all times. No pick!

[@quintondees4501]

Dire Straits is so underrated, they we're a great band, lots of good songs to choose from

[@Rackelhane]

This brings back memories from a greek island (Naxos) in 1978. Dire straits where everywhere ...on the beach...in pubs...in disco`s...Sultans of swing was Dire straits firs real big hit...worldwide. Later they became one of the greatest bands ever. Mark Knopflers finger picking on the guitar was something pretty new and amazing...and still is. Thank you Maddy for a great reaction.❤

[@MaddyReactions]

Oooh fun stuff

[@alltheoptions4youdutchandr271]

Drummer’s parents were in the audience this night. They were the best this night.

[@brucemonkjohnson6617]

Tks Jennifer and Kaley and Maddie

[@davidfeltz8697]

Dire straits is so amazing live. Just slaying it.

[@ericoconnell7581]

A combination of surf rock, blues, and Bob Dylan.

[@gordondafoe3516]

Happy you liked the lullaby Mark sang for you on guitar! He had many over the years.

[@robertstoner8244]

Amazing stuff. Yes Maddy. He has a soft relaxing sound to his guitar 🎸 playing so so good 👍. I hear every note he plays. And it has 0 mistakes. Unbelievable performance

[@jeromedavis1353]

Knopfler also wrote the soundtracks for an Irish film called Cal, The Princess Bride and (in my opinion) the greatest film soundtrack ever written, Local Hero by the Scots filmmaker Bill Forsyth.

[@artsilva]

Love your reaction Maddy, you pick up on the little things that makes live performances great and unique. Have a fantastic weekend our beautiful friend. 🤘🥰

[@MaddyReactions]

Thank you! You too!

[@gregsteele806]

There's a great video floating around KZbin somewhere where Mark Knopfler discusses how his finger picking style evolved. He's just sitting in his flat with a guitar in his lap. Having a conversation with the interviewer. All the while he just produces these amazing little riffs to illustrate his progression. It's amazing, and well worth the time.

[@MaddyReactions]

EPIC!

[@cristianovia]

This is by definition the epic solo!

[@earlellison7533]

its really a symphony ... forever classiv

[@bobs_sa8480]

Dire Straits are legends! You should also check out ‘Brothers in Arms’ from their On The Night concert. Hauntingly beautiful song, any version is impressive but that live performance is my stand out.

[@davidellis5141]

What a smooth guitarist 🎸 ! Talented.

[@MaddyReactions]

Indeed!

[@alancleveland7715]

The vocal being a little slower is the way we did it back in the the day ! TOKE a little and sing a little ! AND IT ALL CAME TOGETHER AND WORKED! LOL

[@petersmyth6739]

Great reaction and understanding of the band! To really appreciate these guys, especially the pianist and the songwriting, watch Telegraph Road from the same Alchemy concert. Keep the faith

[@MaddyReactions]

Oooh 🩷

[@TheEuroace]

"They do not make" these types of bands anymore... We miss them all.

[@rubroken]

Mark Knopfler did a cover of Dylan's "Knocking on Heavens Door" that really touched me.He used, as a chorus, the surviving children of a mass school shooting in Scotland(?). He got permission from Bob Dylan to change some of the lyrics.....very powerful

[@MaddyReactions]

Oh wow!!

[@thomasdorsey6197]

this is considered to be one of the greatest live albums ever recorded. they had to cut it back for radio play back in the day

[@redzone77p]

With Knopfler every note has a purpose...one of the greats.

[@horacehungry2696]

Moc pěkná reakce, skutečně jsem si užíval jak tu hudbu posloucháte! Je to podle mne jejich nejlepší skladba a tohle živé provedení je asi také nejlepší! Tohle je z jejich 1.alba, které žel nevlastním, ale 2. a 3. album mám na vinylu! Love over gold a Brothers in arms! Spousty super písní, ale Sultáni swingu jsou nej... 🥰 Very nice response, I really enjoyed listening to the music! It's their best song in my opinion and this live performance is probably the best too! This is from their 1st album, which unfortunately I don't own, but I have the 2nd and 3rd albums on vinyl! Love over gold and Brothers in arms! Lots of great songs, but Sultans of Swing is the best... 🥰