What Mark Knopfler Teaches Us About True Talent | Vocal Coach | Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing

[@BethRoars]

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[@michaelxz1305]

Mark sounds really clear to me, I understand almost every word.. sure I've heard the song before but I never remember having problems understanding the words.. actually I thought it should be easier to understand because he's almost speaking.. actually I find Beth more difficult to understand due to her thick accent, I'm not sure what it is - maybe some kind of soft Irish accent or something?

[@theemaygoogleme151]

At their heart every Dire Straits song is a duet between Mark and his guitar. Just grateful to have lived contemporaneously with such a musical genius.

[@korkoo1]

I have not listened a ton to dire straits, this song singing is to me very Dylan, I don’t think this would have existed without Dylan’s popularity in the 60s.

[@mattiasjohansson7231]

@@korkoo1 Mark Knopfler is Bob Dylan but also a guitargod. 😅

[@bossdog1480]

Ditto.

[@Pomdownuder]

Don't forget this is a concert, for the fans, we already know the lyrics, it's perfectly clear when you know the music & his style. He is a great exponent of using the "crowd" instrument,a great performance will always utilise the fans to include them in the experience.

[@AWguitar2006]

Exactly

[@orangeandblackattack]

Terry Williams is killing it on the drums!

[@pauls478]

Story goes that Terry's father was in the crowd at that concert (first time Terry's father had come along to a concert he was playing at, reportedly). Mark found out, and gave Terry permission to "go nuts".

[@jrgdrumsandwatches]

I was gonna say that. He's so on point during this whole concert and it's a joy to watch him play.

[@TheGonzalus]

Terry Williams is a great inspiration to guys like El Estepario Siberiano.

[@shena6656]

not sure who said it first, but they say "Mark Knopfler tells the story and he lets his guitar sing the song"

[@TheNotedHero]

💯

[@carlosandreblatt]

Perfectly said 😊

[@duane8829]

Yeah well George knows all the chords. But he’s strictly rhythm, doesn’t make it cry or sing

[@The_Stranger1986]

Very few people can make a guitar sing like Mark.

[@leonardlinden8527]

The great blues musician fred Mcdowell said this about 45 years ago

[@MrHws5mp]

Mark Knopfler's guitar superpower is TONE. His fingerstyle technique makes his playing incredibly expressive. People talk about guitars "talking" entirely too glibly, but in Mark's case it's a simple statement of fact: he can make it cry, sing, talk, whisper, shout, the whole nine yards. I've been listening to him for about 45 years now: it NEVER gets old, and it never will.

[@dongubelman3013]

Expressed perfectly.

[@N0stalgicLeaf]

Anyone can make it wail. A few can make it sing. Mark can make it speak. Legend.

[@SilverHolland]

Even more so, I think it's his melody. Even when someone else plays his notes, it sounds like Knopfler straight away. It's a like a poet who has a very specific style of phrasing. Can say anything he likes to express, but the phrasing on paper is immediately recognised while also totally making sense at all times. Knopfler has this to me. All notes are where they divinely fit. Same for his vocals, just a different and much more limited instrument, especially his. But it works so well with the guitar being centrally tuned up.

[@8044868]

This is one of the best live performances ever recorded. Mark Knopfler sings about and pays homage to jazz musicians. I found out that after I read the lyrics the words were easier to understand.

[@mlong1958]

Terry Williams, the drummer, was on fire. He is now 76 and retired in Swansea Wales.

[@davidstevenson6817]

This was a brilliant performance from him … I heard his dad was in the crowd.

[@carolmartin4413]

@davidstevenson6817 oh..I was wrong...thought it was withers?

[@francoistissandier8507]

​@@carolmartin4413no he replaced him. He even commented on another video on KZbin not too long ago.

[@Pomdownuder]

Bloody Nora, now I feel fekn old😢

[@MikaTarkela]

I will never get bored of those guitar licks he throws in after every vocal line. It's always a different one! Such a cool "conversation" between the singing parts and the guitar licks.

[@chrisholland6052]

You need to note the drums, they are just incredible in this song.

[@johnbeans2000]

Vocals.

[@denveradams4909]

This is one of the best live performances ever recorded. All of the musicians were in the groove and spot on. They just don't make music like this anymore. Thank you, Beth for reacting to this. I am a gospel music recording artist. I toured, regionally, with a Gospel group for many years; then released a solo album a couple of years ago. I can't say that I am the most talented singer out there, but I sing for the Lord. I'm a baritone and most people prefer a higher tone of voice as a soloist. I enjoy singing so much. And I am also a descent church drummer, which I started clear back when I was in high school. I'm 67 years old now and still going.

[@ajschroetlin2196]

A lot of good music like this is being made today. You just have to look in different places for it. No longer is it the record store and the radio. Now it's places like KZbin. Here's some names for you. -Tedeschi Trucks Band -Sturgill Simpson -My Morning Jacket -Widespread Panic -Billy Strings -Khruangbin -King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

[@oldman0995]

Singing is not always about hitting the right note. It is about sending the message in the song. Thx for singing and using your gift for the highest purpose.

[@DavidTateVA]

Mark sings with feeling. His guitar sings with skill. Duets between the two of them are classic.

[@TollGateAB]

You’ll love Telegraph Road from the same concert (Alchemy Live). Dynamics, nuance, storytelling… there’s everything within this masterpiece.

[@aaronherbison7316]

100% agree

[@never2late_mtb349]

I was briefly working in the US about 10 years ago, and spent a week in Detroit. I took the time to pull off the highway that runs adjacent to drive along Telegraph Road to see what inspired the song. Literally just for that reason. You can see the song in the road and vice versa. Mark is a genius.

[@ChristopherStendeck]

It's pure heartland rock, genuine contender for the greatest song ever written, and that performance of it is the best version. Everyone on that stage was just extraordinary and once heard, the song will live in your head and your heart forever.

[@bradleyard4195]

@@never2late_mtb349 Having driven Telegraph Road in south Detroit numerous times, as well as quite a few other similar roads throughout the Midwest, this is too true. Fortunately, Detroit has been seeing a bit of a renaissance in the last few years.

[@gregleblanc9357]

That's the Best live performance EVER recorded. I was fortunate enough to catch that tour back in 85. Just amazing and beyond imagination.

[@mathewlucs6898]

It was 1983

[@viliko4308]

Mark was the coolest guy in 80's ❤ His talent, charisma and personality is one of a kind ❤

[@lesleywright8880]

@@viliko4308 still cool to me even at 75...

[@igorsvacic217]

brother left humanity on that second solo as often in Marks songs, voice is just a narrator, the guitar is singing, crying, and expressing the whole range of emotions and moods, sorrow, suffer, pain, happiness, regret, literally everything. Also, this wasnt a concert, people that had luck to witness this, were on the mass, this was religious experience.

[@darkpitcher5242]

Mark Knopfler is a storyteller his guitar does the singing. His voice is perfect for telling a tale

[@TheGonzalus]

Beth, this is the BEST live performace in rock of all time. Period.

[@rebeccarose7405]

I adore Dire Straights, and Mark Knopfler. I’ve heard many a songs opening guitar and known instantly it was Mark! ❤️🎶. His guitar playing is as distinctive as his voice.

[@deportedsouls3165]

I'm a Swede and hear the words he's singing, strange that a native doesn't!😊

[@j.kevvideoproductions.6463]

Depends on how many times you've heard it. I've been hearing it since it came out. Think I've got most the words now. Lol.

[@martinzissou11]

I’m a Turnip and I also can hear him well.

[@brucesmith7672]

I'm an Air Force brat. We were stationed in Germany 76'-79'. I went with some buddies in 78' (I was 17) to Amsterdam and lucked out and saw these guys in a small bar. Memory sticks with to this day.

[@davepayne164]

This is a band at the height of their power. They are so talented and so rehearsed that they can play things at 70% that most of us can’t do at 100%. Making incredibly difficult stuff look easy

[@torfinnfuglestad2003]

So true. Playing Sultans of Swing like he does in the studio is not an easy song by anymeans. What he does live here is just otherwordly. The entire band show a masterclass in their respective instruments. Good times compared to these days when most music is programmed on a computer and 45 people need credits for writing the song...

[@TheAyeAye1]

Really one of the best and most versatile musicians to ever live.

[@LordToddtastic666]

Knopfler is definitely one of the most formidable singer/songwriters of all time. He is absolute magic

[@bellies1000]

These guys and Mark Knopfler have made some of the best magic in music. Their Love over Gold album is one of the albums i played until it broke! Just sheer brilliance!

[@simonbarnard1861]

7:32 - never pause a MK solo!!!

[@QuicknStraight]

The great thing about Knopfler is that he always duets with his guitar. While he sings, he's just playing 'ordinary' riffs, then he stops singing and replies with his exceptional guitar work. And, personally, I like his hybrid singing-talking vocal style. And, as others noted, Terry Williams was superhuman on drums in this live version.

[@KNOPFLERSGOD]

This is simply one of the greatest performances ever from anyone, unique singing, great writing, stunning guitar playing and a tight band. All round perfection. Interestingly Beth, Mark's singing voice gets better with age, a lot of his solo songs has him singing beautifully, for example check out Wherever I Go, a duet he did with Ruth Moody, who also has a beautiful voice.

[@primalengland]

The drummer is the great Terry Williams. People may talk about why his performance was epic. Over the years I’ve heard so many contrasting views. He played in Man, my favourite band of my distant youth.

[@lwrncschmchr]

I love that you heard the keyboards add that little theme early on. It becomes so much more important as the song goes on and makes this live version so much more important, musically, than the recorded version.

[@christian-van-e]

The guitar work of Knopfler on the Alchemy album is on his heights. So so so good and tasteful!

[@albineriksson1641]

You have to react to "romeo and juliet " by dire straits! in my opinion it's one of the most beautiful songs ever made

[@SuperKevin57]

Best exponent of finger style on a strat.😊

[@orangeandblackattack]

So glad you did this one! You don't see this in today's music because there are only a few bands and too many cheat with autotune and AI. You actually had to have mad talent to pull it off.

[@Mind-your-own-beeswax]

Of course you see it in today’s music but you need to venture outside of the pop charts. Dozens of very talented bands and singers out there.

[@rientsdijkstra4266]

If have always thought that a mark of the really talented musician is effortless timing. Mark Knopfler (and the rest of this band) is one of the best examples of that...

[@mst3ktemple421]

I remember when this first came out in 1978. I was in high school and most of my friends and I were musicians so we were always looking for someone with a new sound. We loved this album and played it over and over, BUT it hardly got any air play on the radio when it came out. We started calling in and requesting it just to hear it once in a while. It was almost a year later in 1979 that it finally started to take off.

[@MrJdsenior]

He has the weirdest style, almost conversational, and so recognizable. They did some great music, too, this song being one of them.

[@FredrikHaugan]

Thank you Beth. You have a good ear and and some great understanding of music. Unfortunately, way too many people doesn’t understand that this song is a duet, with Knopfler and his guitar 💯

[@pauloamw]

Mark Knopfler is one of the most talented musicians/songwriters to grace rock and roll.

[@robertbartelmes7623]

Beth: I LOVE this video of Yours Sooo Much!! ,,, Your Unvarnished Enthusiasm ... Your Sheer Honest Joy in listening to, AND analyzing, Mark Knopfler's Epic Performance of "Sultan's of Swing" was both Infectious & Exhilarating ... you had me 'Chair' Dancing & Bouncing along with You - Bart

[@ricktreat]

I remember when this song came out. Loved it so much that I went right out and bought the album, which was very unusual for me. I liked every song on it. His enunciation is better on his albums than live, by the way, so I had no trouble making out the words. I was impressed with his lyrics, and my god, that guitar was just great. Very different from what I was hearing at the time, even from other guys who were finger pickers. One of my all time favorites both as a songwriter and a guitarist.

[@tankosaurus]

Thanks for reacting to this. I heard this years ago, back when I was just learning guitar and I've forgotten just how good an arrangement this is. I have a few of his/their concerts on DVD... I now need to go track them down and rewatch them

[@TheNotedHero]

wow, you really need to read the lyrics! And definitely have them up when you react to "Telegraph Road" from the same concert. It's beautiful, the balance between guitar and piano and with all the dynamics they use.

[@davidpyorkshire]

Interesting that Charlie Gillett was involved with identifying the band's talent. Charlie is no longer with us but along with John Peel they had a lot of influence on the development of music back then. Love your reaction❤

[@JurgenStrauss-ow2ge]

First time I saw them was in a 1000-person-hall near Würzburg in May 1979 !

[@kellyk5946]

1977 Music Machine Camden Town London.

[@colin_actually]

Mark provides backing vocals for his guitar.

[@AWguitar2006]

Truee

[@IvarMeijer]

And please note, especially you youngsters... This is all LIVE!!!

[@lesleywright8880]

Yeah, live live. Live as in no editing or overdubs after the fact!

[@andrefmartin]

I loved this video. I was atonished realizing you said "I have no idea of the words of this song are", coming from a native English speaker that sounds a relief to me, as a foreigner speaker. Thank you for you very happy way to enjoy the music and song you are reacting. Doing so, you invite us to feel the same or similar feeling. And excellent technics teaching. Very much appreciated.

[@michaelsmith2723]

He is also an incredible songwriter. Read the lyrics to his songs. Romeo and Juliet. Telegragh Road, Brothers in Arms, Tunnel of Love, etc.

[@markdeloria20]

This song is perfection.

[@mmmvendico]

One of the most chilling performances ever reocrded. Thank you Beth for the reaction.

[@utilityaccount1954]

TYVM. Most fans really only focus on the unique guitar, compistion, stories and lyrics of Knoplfer's work.

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

The challenge is to watch this performance and decide who is having the most fun on that stage. Pro Tip: You can't.

[@nondesuwu]

fun fact, he wrote the score for the princess bride

[@SlingerOfNoGuns]

True...and also for Local Hero, Cal, Last Exit To Brooklyn, Wag The Dog, Metroland, A Shot At Glory, Altamira...

[@understandingnothing2445]

And Cal and Local Hero

[@nondesuwu]

ah yeah i saw after the premiere timer was up that she noted that in the video lol

[@jbuggy21]

Mark is an incredible storyteller, and his guitar does most of the singing.

[@Cashcrop54]

Singer and dancing. Love watching your energy during your videos. You don't just think it. You experience it fully!

[@lloyderc]

So much talent it’s like kids playing in the sand. It’s effortless for them.

[@pauls478]

It's been said that Mark is the narrator; his guitar does the singing. Urban Legend has it that when Mark refers to a "crowd of young boys foolin' around in the corner", he's referring to the lads that will eventually become Dire Straits.

[@martynjones8073]

Thought have to react to 'Telegraph Road' from the same concert, then you will be totally blown away, masterpiece.

[@LinusHuttner]

Hi Beth, if you like this, listen to "Telegraph Road" from the same concert. I can imagine, that Mark's voice is not the "premium choice" for a great singer and vocalist as you are, but: All of Mark's music is full of emotion. He can tell a story second to none. It touched my heart all life long. You described his ability to transport emotion very well in this reaction. And you are a beautiful person expressing yourself. Thank you for that honest reaction to a great musician, a great man. Linus from Switzerland

[@davewilson4493]

Thank you - hearing people with deep knowledge talk about a song I love adds so much to the experience.

[@briancornish2427]

You are probably the best reaction channel to music with your critique of vocals and music. It’s a joy to watch and BTW YOUR HAIR IS BEAUTIFUL AND YES, I’M A BIG DEBBIE HARRY FAN ❤xx

[@rubroken]

Mark does a very emotional version of "Knocking on Heaven's Door" where he changed some of Dylans lyrics(with permission)to honor the victims of a mass school shooting in Scotland. The choir in the song is a group of kids that survived the shooting. It's worth a listen

[@bobfoale3000]

Incidentally, the tennis player, Andy Murray, was a pupil at Dunblane School at the time of the shooting

[@jamiemacdonald436]

Beth, it's very interesting what you said about instrumentalists singing through their instruments. I just recently connected the dots thanks to a reaction of Blues Traveler, and if you listen to how John Popper plays his harmonica solos and compare it to his singing you can hear a lot of the same inflections, phrasings, and cadences between his voice and the instrument. I've been listening to the song for 20 years and never picked up on that.

[@benfoxworth9826]

She also showed a picture of Tori Amos when she said that. Appropriately so. I hope Beth will analyze Tori's great song, Winter. I don't think she has, from my searches. I know she has done other songs of hers. I'd also love to see some coverage of Gerry Rafferty.

[@richardvitullo3990]

The way Mark tells a story with his guitar is one reason Rob Reiner hired him to write the soundtrack for The Princess Bride, one of the most beautiful soundtracks for a movie.

[@mywaveinwoodswoodperfumes]

Beth, you are the first you-tuber i come across in my suggested videos, reacting to music i love , thank you for the educating and entertaining content.

[@smithpauld1501]

The record was a part of the soundtrack of my life. Everybody in that theater could have sung Sultans off without a pause. In this performance, he got to play with it.

[@andersonaraujoluz8978]

Uma das bandas mais amadas do povo que aprecia boa música 🎶 no Brasil.

[@MarkBtvd]

I Really enjoyed your commentary on the entire song, as long as it was. Interesting info on Mark and the band in the popups. This was one of the songs that prompted me to get several of their early albums, which I listened to a lot.

[@cornellkirk8946]

You have the same reaction to this that I do when I hear it, can’t help but move my head and feet to the sound ❤

[@adenauerlemos7926]

Dire Straits' Alchemy and Pink Floyd's Pulse are the best live performances I've ever seen.

[@michaelsmith2723]

Watch Nightwish perform at Wacken 2013. The video is a classic with incredible audio and video production.

[@zoeherriot]

They are amazing. Highly recommend The Cure - Show

[@Bill123058]

was lucky enough to have seen them on this tour. they were fantastic.

[@bennettl23]

You might be interested in checking out a performance from Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris - Real Live Roadrunning. You can hear the evolution of Mark's singing style and the two compliment each other really well. His guitar has always been like a unique second voice in his music.

[@ScotsmanDougal]

One of the greatest songs of all time, by one of the greatest bands of all time.

[@carlosnatalino]

You need to hear Isabella Taviani, from Brazil, singing A Canção que Faltava. Her voice is very similar to Ana Carolina's.

[@doughaviland1729]

Two words TELEGRAPH ROAD...❤

[@timmygun795]

Haha! Great to watch this one back. Outrageous talent, sensational performance. Interesting observations from yourself as well.

[@bigham1jb]

Mark is and Jeff Beck was masters at letting the guitar speak.

[@johnirwing2571]

Perhaps it’s because I’m from the NE of England but I have no problem understanding Mark.

[@MatsGarage]

Dire Straits, where the lead singer is just a backup singer to his own guitar.

[@jonathanware4096]

Finally been waiting for this one from you for ages. Still waiting on Manchester Orchestra though

[@ChrisDidGood]

Mark is a pure genius, I really love his newer work as well. The songs "Baloney again" and "Why aye man" are just too good!

[@bikerwisdom805]

A good example of the connection to the principal instrument and how it effects the vocals Is Van Morrison. his instrument is Saxophone. His singing is also a sax line.

[@justsmashing4628]

Gotta react Dire Straits Telegraph Road live now…even more awesome

[@_eclipz_]

One of the best live performances i've ever witnessed :)

[@MelodyMan69]

No Schreeching, no moaning and no woo woo shit. JUST LIKE BOB DYLAN. Talent is in writing and Playing like nobody can. 👀

[@vvoof2601]

Walk of life enters the chat.

[@2-facedsob756]

Brilliant, refreshing, educational, inspirational reaction. Quite masterful you are in passing on your knowledge. If I would have had such instruction in school, I may have tapped into something creative.

[@silgen]

I can understand what he's singing, but then I'm a Geordie and understand his Geordie accent :)

[@lesleywright8880]

Well I'm an Aussie and I understand him perfectly!

[@silgen]

@@lesleywright8880 Newcastle, NSW, by any chance? :)

[@lesleywright8880]

@silgen lol no! West Coast - "down south" (not near London town though! ) About a kilometre from the beach in a small city called Bunbury.

[@oscararzate7956]

Fascinante me gustó mucho el vídeo la canción la reacción de la H. Coach ❤ bien Beth 👏👏🍀🍀

[@ivecamperbuild_thomas4084]

By your reaction to this video I can see you enjoy and just love music, I was one of the lucky ones to of been in the audience of the 23rd December when this was being played even now after all these years every time I watch this video it brings back so many happy memories even though I had to sleep in my car at the end of it after a short drive getting out of the city

[@MsClaret2010]

While I'm in no way a singer at all, I still attempt all the cool tips and tricks you speak about Beth, just to see if i can actually do them, I find it so much fun! Thank you for such interesting and educational content, not too mention great music! Mark Knofler is wayy underrated, great musician! 💜

[@uwefeldmann6939]

Wonderful, both, this song and You!

[@bikerwisdom805]

For a real taste masterful interplay of percussive sounds combined, Roy Bittans piano and Knopfler guitar on Tunnel of Love and Romeo and Juliet

[@frankswarbrick7562]

It's interesting how you have trouble understanding what he's singing. I find it very easy, and I often can't understand lyrics in most songs.

[@martinezq1]

Telegraph road from this live has great dynamic and story

[@matthewneufeld8854]

Great song wonderful reaction love to see you jamming to it. Thank you

[@MrRhelli]

Another good example of the use of vocal tone over diction is Van Morrison who uses sounds approximating words. Possibly because they both have strong regional accents / dialects that are inherently economic with words.

[@ommadawn8434]

Mark's guitar is his true voice.

[@unfilthy]

Love this analysis!

[@peters2614]

The drummer is Terry Williams, not Pick Withers.