Tunnel Of Love ALCHEMY - Rock Drummer's Reaction and Rating

[@MiguelGomez-u1m]

desde que escuché el álbum alchymia me convertí en fanático de Mark Knopfler, un fenómeno, fabuloso guitarrista, el nro 1 del mundo. hace todo tipo de trucos con los dedos sin puas.extraordinario fenomenal Mark y su banda dire straist. un as, como el Diego Armando Maradonaáaaaaaaaaa.. saludos desde caseros argentina

[@llarose]

Qué lindo comentario! Mark Knopfler es un verdadero fenómeno, y su técnica sin púa es simplemente mágica. Compararlo con Maradona es un gran halago, ¡ambos son leyendas en lo suyo! Saludos desde Rio de Janeiro y gracias por ver el video.

[@weirdscix]

I love Dire Straits, and this song in particular hits me right in the feels. We used to go to the Spanish City he's singing about on the weekend as teens, had my first kiss there. Sadly, it doesn't exist anymore.

[@llarose]

That's such a powerful connection to the song. Amazing how music can bring back places and moments like that. Thanks for sharing and for watching!

[@jjc5407]

The Spanish City was an amusement arcade and funfair complex in Whitley Bay near where Mark Knopfler grew up in Newcastle, hence the many references in the song. It was closed down around 25 years ago but subsequently renovated and reopened a few years back. I believe it's now a hotel and restaurant. You might like to check out a series called Brian Johnson's Life on the Road in which the AC/DC singer meets up with fellow music legends to talk about their careers and particularly their formative years touring. There's an episode with Mark Knopfler where the two of them visit the old haunts from their youth, Brian having grown up in the same area, and they go to the Spanish City. Embedded in the paving outside the entrance there are now the lyrics "Girl it looks so pretty to me, like it always did. Like the Spanish City to me, when we were kids." You might also want to check out "Johnson's and Knopfler's Music Legends" which was just shown on Sky Arts. In each episode the two meet up for an informal chat with another music legend with the occasional impromptu song thrown in. The 'legends' include Tom Jones, Sam Fender, Nile Rodgers, Carlos Santana, Cyndi Lauper and Emmylou Harris.

[@llarose]

Wow, thanks for all the fascinating info! The Spanish City sounds like a must-visit for Dire Straits fans. I’ll definitely check out "Life on the Road" and "Music Legends" - they sound awesome! Thanks for sharing and for the support! 🎸 - 2 things: AC/DC's music prod. co. blocks their videos/songs from being reproduced here on the channel, and secondly, you can find my reaction/rating to MK and Emmylou Harris here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipa1cnqFg7eSodk - Thanks for the intel and watching.

[@jjc5407]

@@llarose you should consider doing a reaction to "If This Is Goodbye" from either the All The Roadrunning or Real Live Roadrunning albums for upload on September 11th. It's about the farewell messages left by those caught up in the dreadful events of that day and as Emmylou says to Mark on "Music Legends" he somehow made something beautiful out of something horrific. You might also like to check "Going Home", the main them from the movie Local Hero which was the first of 9 movie soundtracks Mark's composed. The track was often used to close Dire Straits' shows and is the last on the Alchemy Live album. There's also a live version from a couple of years later where Dire Straits are joined on stage by Hank Marvin of The Shadows. The Shadows had covered the track not long after it's release and Hank was the reason Mark coveted a red Fender Stratocaster as a boy. Hank was the very first person in the UK to own a Fender Strat, bought for him by Cliff Richard. Earlier this year a new extended version of Going Home was put together and released to raise money for teenage cancer charities in the UK and USA. It features 60 musicians with something like 47 of them being guitarists with Mark, Hank, Dave Gilmour, Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton, Ronnie Wood, Brian May, Keith Urban, Bruce Springsteen, Slash, Tony Iommi, and the recently departed Duane Eddy among them and it starts with the very last notes recorded by Jeff Beck. Ringo Starr and his son Zach Starkey are on drums. Fortunately they released a video with the names of each musician as they play! It was produced by Guy Fletcher who was a keyboard player with Dire Straits (he joined after the Alchemy tour) and is the one musician who has remained with Mark ever since. In addition to playing various instruments he often produces or sound engineers records. He's another extremely talented man!

[@llarose]

@@jjc5407 Nice intel. Thank you. Here's one of the Emmylou Harris / MK songs I covered here. I will def. check out the rest soon:) kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipa1cnqFg7eSodk

[@jenscee7679]

Slight change to Newcastle, Mark grew up in the coastal town of Blyth, but went to school in Newcastle. Blyth is about 4 miles along the coast from the Spanish City (I’m from Blyth and used to cycle there as a kid). So evocative of that time and reminds me of my late dad taking us there in the summer holidays.

[@williamgritton6023]

Larry the rhythm guitarist is Hal Lindes Marks brother David left the band before this concert

[@llarose]

Hal Lindes. Great job by him. Thanks for sharing and for enjoying the channel! 🎸

[@deanpritchard8499]

Mark and that Strat are one. I was fortunate enough to be at one of the gigs on the Alchemy tour. Only went to the Spanish City once- it’s never left me. Always brings a tear to my eye, just before the outro. The guys on stage were nailing it, one of the tightest bands I’d ever seen, some performances were far better than the studio output. Many thanks for your review!

[@llarose]

Mark and his Strat are indeed inseparable! How amazing that you got to experience the Alchemy tour live. The live performances often outshine the studio versions. Thank you for watching! 🎸😊

[@jayman2011cbj]

@@llarose It is actually a Scheckter Dreammachine.

[@elenasancho6074]

The whole concert is magical and the first song of the concert Once Upon a Time in the West is not far behind.

[@llarose]

Absolutely, "Once Upon a Time in the West" would set the tone perfectly for the magical journey that is "Alchemy." Thanks for watching and sharing the love!

[@seanstevenson9891]

My favorite guitar solo of all time. Just evokes nostalgia. This is the reason that I subscribed to your channel. Great reaction.😊

[@llarose]

Thanks for subscribing! That guitar solo in "Tunnel of Love" is one of the best ever. Glad you enjoyed the reaction! 😊🎸

[@rxlxviii]

Alchemy quickly became one of my favorite albums when it came out. And this song, at least for me, is their best song. The range of emotions that the song takes you through and that beautiful outro. Dire Straits is one of the most underrated bands by the public because most of the public only know Money For Nothing and Walk Of Life. And before anyone disagrees, I've requested Dire Straits for about 5 years on reactor channels before any reactor did a song. And then it took about another 2 years after that of me constantly asking reactors to react to this song, someone finally did it. And each time I requested during those 7 years, I think I got a total of one like to my requests. 7 years of asking for Dire Straits and only 1 like. That's why I say the group is so underrated.

[@llarose]

Alchemy is truly a gem, and this song is a masterpiece. That emotional journey and the outro are unforgettable. Dire Straits deserves so much more recognition beyond "Money For Nothing" and "Walk Of Life." Thanks for your persistence and for tuning in! 🎸🎶

[@brianshickey]

Beautiful comment as I agree with everything you say. Telegraph Road is my favourite Alchemy song though this song is quickly becoming a favourite. And you’re right, the band deserves far more recognition than what they garnered solely from Brothers in Arms. Alchemy is pure perfection. Period.

[@brigittereimprecht8334]

The whole Alchemy concert was awesome, but I liked this song even better at the Wembley 85 concert, it blows me away every time, unfortunately Hal Lindes wasn't there anymore.

[@llarose]

The whole "Alchemy" concert is indeed amazing. Thanks for sharing and for watching! 🎸🔥

[@davidpyorkshire]

The whole song is brilliantly evocative of a fairground and area where Mark obviously spent some of his younger years in the north east of England. And you're right that he conveys so much emotion through his gutar. Not many can do it but he does. Thank you.

[@llarose]

His voice & guitar work truly captures the emotion and atmosphere of those moments. Thanks for appreciating the magic of Dire Straits with us! 🎸🎡

[@dopiaza2006]

Like the spanish city to me when we were kids :)

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

He still spends time up here.

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

Brilliant analysis. This song is a masterpiece. Not only is it played beautifully obviously guitars and voice but the rhythm section was one of the best ever. Just enough .not too much and Isley supports Mark superbly with his bass. Pick is a genius in the kitchenware department. The composition however is simply brilliant. D minor but with F major chords.. gives a sense of bittersweet that makes you think of amazing memories which youve almost forgotten. Memories slipping through your fingers like sand. It's quite awesome

[@llarose]

Thank you for your kind words! I completely agree-Tunnel of Love is truly a masterpiece. The way the guitars and vocals blend is mesmerizing, and you’re right about the rhythm section. Isley’s bass work really complements Mark's style perfectly. I love how you highlighted the composition; that bittersweet quality in D minor with F major chords really does evoke those fleeting memories. It’s amazing how music can capture such complex emotions. I appreciate your insights!

[@brianshickey]

I can’t agree with you more in that the Alchemy show exposed me to a side of Dire Straits and more so exposed me to an extremely deep and spiritual side of Mark Knopfler. I’ve always admired him however this particular show is THE EPITOME of rock at its very best. It’s a shame that music isn’t this incredible anymore which is why I treasure these live versions so very much. Mark (and the boys) have brought me to tears on a few occasions.. this song in particular. I’m so blown away that they have become my favourite band, period. This is absolute perfection and I’ve never seen a band so in sync with each other with Mark leading the charge the entire show. Sorry for the rant but this caliber of music has to be highlighted and celebrated. I love your transparent and heartfelt reactions to everything you’ve covered (especially the Alchemy songs). Your facial expressions don’t need words at times which is a true gift. The hallmark of a phenomenal musician is how they emit emotion and I too share your teary reactions to these gems. Though Mark is considered to be a great guitarist, I still feel that he is an underrated musician as he isn’t just an incredible guitarist, his songwriting is absolutely brilliant. To answer your question about the rhythm guitarist being Mark’s brother, he most certainly is. David Knopfler was a band member up until the Love Over Gold if memory serves me well. . His joy while playing is infectious. Great reaction once again. I love that you rate these performances. It adds an interesting depth. Keep it up!!

[@llarose]

Me too, I was completely in shock watching this concert. Having had listened to 'studio DS' most of my life, I looked at MK as talented but sterile. I was dead wrong! Dude is full of soul.

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

I don't think that's David. Hal Lindes was the guitarist for the Alchemy Live tour..1983 was peak David vs Mark squabble David left in 1980.

[@peter9910]

Intro to this version is great (missed here)

[@llarose]

Oh, I didn't know. Took this from their official channel, and it started like this. I'll go back and check out the intro. Thanks for watching.

[@MinistryOfDarkness11]

This concert and Dire Straits - Live "On The Night" 1993 are brilliant. Calling Elvis, Brothers In Arms and Private Investigations are my highlights from this one. But the whole concert is fab also. Loving your channel. Cheers from Australia 👍🎸

[@llarose]

Nice intel. I'll def. check it out. Cheers from across the pond, and thanks for rocking with the channel! 🤘🎸

[@deanpritchard8499]

And “ On Every Street”

[@deanpritchard8499]

Have a look at “Telegraph Road” from Wembley 1985

[@MinistryOfDarkness11]

@@deanpritchard8499 I didn't know Telegraph Road was on the Wembly set list. 😮

[@nurofen3940]

Love watching your reactions to Dire Straits, please check out Once Upon a Time in the West from the same concert. Never get bored with their genius. Thankyou!

[@llarose]

Thanks for the recommendation! Once Upon a Time in the West from the same concert? Count me in! Dire Straits' genius never disappoints. Appreciate the support and your passion for great music! 🎸👍

[@brianshickey]

Mark tears up during this performance as well (when it slows down “girl you look so pretty to me..”)

[@llarose]

Yes, I saw that. He pours his emotion into this song, and we all feel it.

[@brianshickey]

Hey Larry, I know there’s been a plethora of Dire Straits reactions to Alchemy but I was hoping you could do one last one for Once Upon a Time In The West from the same show. I’m curious to see how you’d rate this one.

[@llarose]

Hey, thanks for the suggestion! 'Once Upon a Time In The West' is an absolute gem, and I'd be happy to dive into it.

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

The rythumn guitarist here isnt David Knopfler, David left in 1980.. its the American guitarist Hal Lindes who was with the band from 80 till 84 and especially on the Alchemy tour.

[@llarose]

Thanks for the correction! You're absolutely right; Hal Lindes stepped in as the rhythm guitarist after David Knopfler left in 1980.

[@brunacamara2844]

The best ❤

[@llarose]

You think I'm the best? Well, I won't argue with that!

[@mattiasjohansson7231]

Alchemy might be the greatest live album ever recorded through and through

[@llarose]

Alchemy is definitely a contender for one of the greatest live albums ever! The performances are so tight and the energy is off the charts. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for listening!

[@rodbrown8934]

That rhythm guitarist is Hal Lindes from the US. David Knopfler left the band (sibling rivalry) during the making of the Making Movies album. David went on to make a successful solo career and is still making fantastic albums to date.

[@nancyholm2160]

Ironically, one of the writer/musicians David has collaborated with is none other than… Hal Lindes. Hal, btw, has gone on to be an award-winning TV and film composer as well as a songwriter.

[@llarose]

Thanks for the info! Hal Lindes brought a great dynamic to the band. Appreciate you sharing and thanks for watching! 🎸

[@DavidG-u2k]

Great reaction. The band line-up changed throughout the years and Mark's brother left after they had an argument during recording of the third album, therefore it is Hal Lindes playing here.

[@llarose]

Thank you for the kind words and answering the question. I couldn't play with my brother either:)) Cheers!

[@Thescottishguyreacts]

Romeo and Juliet live 1986 or 1993 is a masterpiece

[@llarose]

I'll def. check those out. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@MichaelODoherty-wx6zd]

watch the 85 live at wembley version

[@llarose]

You're one of dozens who have said this. I'm on it. Thanks for watching.

[@JohnTaylor-cc6tm]

Your calling this peak rock is spot on, but if you haven't yet, please see Telegraph Road, the encore from this concert

[@llarose]

Ask, and you shall receive: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpu4ln1rZ61rrposi=EKk2kZbFTwctiCwc

[@take727]

All songs in this epic concert are master pieces, but some outsands more than others, besides those 3 you put on the top, there's also "once upon a time in the west" and "private investigations". I'de like to see your reaction to those 2 songs cos i love your videos. Thank you

[@llarose]

You’re absolutely right-I’ll consider reacting to "Once Upon a Time in the West" and "Private Investigations" soon. Thank you for your support and for watching!

[@florodrigues8715]

AMAZING!!!!!!!

[@malingor7042]

This whole album is magnificent! I also highly recommend Talking Heads 'stop making sense', if you do it please make sure you have the live video not just sound, and also it REALLY has to be done in track order ( you'll understand why as you goon!)

[@llarose]

Thanks for the recommendation! "Alchemy" is indeed magnificent. I'll make sure to check out "Stop Making Sense" with the live video and in track order-sounds like a fun ride! Appreciate your support! 🎸🎥

[@craigdawson7564]

Dire straits always take me back to being a teen in the 80s. I was lucky enough to have a brother who was into the same music as me and together we would air guitar to this in our bedrooms. They were (still are!) masters of of great rock... and every time i listen to them...i am a 13yr old again! Ps: Here is mark (and ac/dcs Brian Johnson!) revisiting the spanish city. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5DTkqlrqL6ma9Usi=zaRzMY9UhI8QAWIA

[@colingoode3702]

Great reaction. Long time DS fan here right from their very early days. I saw them a few times at London based gigs back in the '80's & have all their vinyl albums. It still amazes me that not only does Mark K produce such a clean sound without using a pick, he is a Lefty but plays right handed. Also, there's video about Terry Williams entitled "Just the drummer in the band" kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4i1fq1pl7GAhK8

[@bananlok]

A few other songs to check out from the same concert (alchemy) are "Once upon a time in the west", "Private Investigation" and "Going home". I think you will really enjoy those 😊🤙

[@llarose]

Thanks for the recommendations! "Once Upon a Time in the West," "Private Investigations," and "Going Home" are on my list now. I'm sure I'll enjoy them! 😊🤙 Thank you for watching!

[@riocorrespondant7797]

This concert is the best!! Try Wembley too:)

[@martinezq1]

i am interesting your comment to Uriah heep drummers , Alex Napier, Lee Kerslake or this new one Gillbrook

[@llarose]

I’m not too familiar with all the Uriah Heep drummers, but I appreciate the suggestion! I’ll definitely check them out. Thanks for listening!

[@ksoman953]

Great song, great guitar, great encore, better than this song in other concerts. For me the highlight of the song is actually Alan Clarks take on the original keyboards by Roy Bittan in the studio version. Anyway, I personally prefer the studio version with Pick Withers on drums.

[@llarose]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Alan Clark's keyboard work is indeed a highlight. The studio version with Pick Withers has its own charm too. Appreciate your insights and for watching! 🎹🥁 - I cover the studio version here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6irpXlsmrp_nNksi=i5288eVCzh3UfbCi

[@青山譲二-k7z]

マークは私のヒーローです。アコースティックも素晴らしいです。 ドラマー格好良いですね。 いつか、日本のロックも聴いてくれると嬉しいです。(例えば、バンドメイドのカナミの、作曲とアイデア、音選びが私は好きです。)

[@llarose]

Mark and Terry really shine bright here on Alchemy. I'll def. check out some Japanese Rock too. Great idea. Thanks for watching.

[@青山譲二-k7z]

@@llarose さん。 日本語ですみません。 コメントありがとうございます。 世界には素晴らしい音楽がたくさんあって、わざわざ日本のバンドを、聴く必要はないかもしれません。 日本の自動車も音楽も色々ありますが、他より絶対良いとは、私は思いませんし、おすすめする訳では、ありません。 それでも、何か楽しめる事があるかもしれないと思って書かせて頂きました。 これからの良い音楽の配信を楽しみにしています。 失礼いたしました。

[@deanpritchard8499]

Love the song, but the 1985 version is a lot cleaner- have a look at that version!

[@llarose]

Thanks for watching, I'll def. check it out!

[@williamgritton6023]

Hi Larry I don’t know if you know this fact but Mark is left handed 18:10

[@llarose]

I didn't, and I guess it's true what 'they' say about the extra talent of left handed musicians. Thanks for watching.

[@aaronherbison7316]

If you want soft and soulful and romantic check out ( if you haven't already) Romeo and Juliet

[@llarose]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll definitely check out 'Romeo and Juliet'-I’m always open to exploring all songs. Appreciate the tip and thanks for listening!

[@williamgritton6023]

Spanish city was a fun fair in Whitley bay Northeast England

[@llarose]

Thanks for the info! I had no idea the Spanish City was a 'fun fair' in Whitley Bay, Northeast England. That makes the song even more special. Appreciate the insight and thanks for tuning in! 🎡🎸

[@StevenQ74]

@@llarose It's close to Newcastle where Mark grew up kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5DTkqlrqL6ma9U