Dire Straits "Sultans Of Swing Alchemy Live" REACTION Video 

This performance is widely considered one of the best live rock performances of all time. This drummer is amazing. Mark Knopfler is probably one of the top 10 guitarists in the world.

As brilliant as Mark in on the guitar here, one cannot be anything but blown away by the drummer, absolute perfection there.

Terry Williams playing his heart out for his Dad seeing him perform. The extra embellishments are so good

This has got to be one of the most iconic rock performances in history

As a drummer I have a lot of respect for these guys. The drummer is phenomenal, and you can see every band member is just really in the fun "jam zone", when you're so engrossed in the music it feels amazing, things are clicking exactly as they should, and you get into it so much it feels like you're on autopilot. Mark's guitar playing is without a pick, what my guitar buds call finger-picking. His playing abilitity is off the charts, and reminds me of the old banjo duels with Roy Clark. Veteran rockers, worthy of much respect!

Best drumming I've ever heard.

After hearing this version you will never be able to hear any other version. You will feel robbed like when they played this on the radio and cut off the ending...👹

Mark Knopfler is criminally underrated. A number of years ago, Rolling Stone Mag did a "Top 100 Guitarists of All Time". Mark Knopfler only played 44th. I couldn't believe he only made top 50. No way.

The drummer decided he was going to town on this one. That is why they were smiling to each other near the start. He was responsible for driving up the performance to that level.

Mark Knopfler is one of the most prolific songwriters alive today. He's done film and TV soundtracks, big stadium shows, and once Dire Straits wound up, he went on to a massively successful solo career. He's such a great story teller with his songs, this one is about a real experience of walking into a pub in London and seeing a band in the corner trying to make a living from performing a few songs. Telegraph Road live is another good one, or Tunnel of Love.

"I could watch this over and over again ..." I watch the video or any reaction video at least 5 times a week. Never get sick of it, it's just purely epic.

Sultans of Swing is my favorite Dire Straits song. This is a real treat because I've never seen it performed in concert live. They really did a terrific job. I'm glad this was suggested.

This is the quintessential performance of this song and one of the best performances of any song captured on video.

I would like to say that the drummer was amazing the level of talent in this group is stunning, this is the best version of this song, and musical genius, thank you for your reaction 🌹🌹🇬🇧

The Drummer is a different level!!!

hi ,the tall chap on the left is marks brother playing bass.on one comment, it said it is like a drug listening to mark and the boys,and that is how it affects me.i play it every day,anyway, glad you liked that verson,stay safe

I have never seen this Alchemy version before. They are really jamming! It's so awesome! Terry on the drums was rockin' it!! They're great anyway but they're putting on their A+++++ performance here. Thanks for listening to everyone. I really enjoyed this!

He is rated as one of the best guitarists of all time. fact

Mark Knopfler wrote the words, music, arranged it, sang it and played his guitar as only he can. All this masterpiece came from his genius alone. TELEGRAPH ROAD from this concert next please, again all from Mr Knopfler. You won't regret it. Well done ❤️

"Telegraph Road" from this same show is IMO one of the best live performances of a song ever, and the album "Love Over Gold" is great - It takes me to another place ever since 1982.

Mark sounds like he's playing a banjo...amazing...

Fantastic performance! Mark Knopfler just looks so effortless when he plays. To make it even better, I've read that he's one of the kindest, most genuine people you'll ever meet.

Hey ladies if you want to see another song from this concert, Telegraph Road will blow your mind like Sultans if not more. It also has an incredible instrumental ending of biblical proportions. Loving your channel. Cheers from Oz 😊🎸🎸

That was phenomenal!!! Wow! I had never heard this version! These are incredible musicians. Guitar playing off the charts. Drummer inserting beats in between beats. Keyboardist reaching for multiple keyboards like Yanni! Thank you for reacting to this!

Two stunned faces! I saw Mark Knopfler twice in 2019. Like many of us he's put on some weight and lost some hair, but Mark's hands are still mesmerizing. The only sad part of those concerts is that he didn't play this song. I can watch this concert every day and never get bored.

So cool that at 5:59 the keys play a foreshadowing of the new theme added soon after in the guitar solo

One cannot underestimate the superhuman fitness of these top bands. This is just one song. They played for a couple of hours in this concert which would have us mere mortals reaching for the oxygen tank!

I love this version so much I'm almost disappointed when I hear the studio version. Awesome talent on display.

The drummer is Terry Williams. I heard his parents were backstage and that this was the first time they'd watched him play in front of a live audience.

Around 05:15 when Terry Williams lays down those fills and Mark and John look at each other and say....this is going to be next level.

One of the best guitar solos of all time and just as good no matter how often you hear it, absolutely love it.

One word….PHENOMENAL 👏👏👏👏👏 Now to check out more songs from the same Alchemy Live tour. Tunnel of Love is brilliant 😊

The drums on this live performance are just epic ❤ this

Best version EVER!! Mark's end solo is amazing & the drummer is amazing!

I listen and watch it twice a day. at least-talent is eternal.

Loved your reaction to the greatest live performance of all time. I was there that night. The crowd was awed!

Thanks for this....Mark Knopfler one of the best guitar players ever.....Dire Straits were great 😘

Transcendental playing.

This was the first time the drummer's father ever came to one of his concerts. The best description i've heard of this concert was flawless! And I agree. 18:57 I had the pleasure seeing them live back in 1978. Once again, it's fun to watch you guys to react. And bring back great memories for me.

Nothing beats this!!!!

This song isn't the best vocal performance, but the instrumental performance more than makes up for it. The drummer's groove is on point, and Knopfler's guitar playing is perfection.

Mark Knofler does not use a guitar pick...just fingers and thumbs...Terry Williams is the drummer

Glad you took the time to watch this undoubtedly incredible performance. It must be amazing to reach the level as a musician to stand on stage and be so comfortable, experienced and skilled that your can just jam almost without limit. I bet that feeling is like a drug.

One of the greatest live performances ever recorded. Seeing them in 1985 was a concert highlight!

I only heard about this version of Sultans of Swing about 2 or 3 weeks ago. Since then I've watched this at least a hundred times, including about fifty different reactions to it. I can't imagine a better live performance by anyone.

I saw Dire Straits at the Birmingham Exhibition Centre September 1991. Sultans of Swing was one of my favourite tracks and I pretty much only wanted to hear that live….(I can’t believe I’m writing this). When they played it I was SCANDALISED that it wasn’t note for note as the single…..oh dear…. Well, you live and learn.

And Terry Williams (drummer) is killing it live as it was the first time his dad went to see him.

no one plays guitar like mark, genius.

What about the drummer what a bloody legend 👏 fantastic

So cool to see you appreciating the skill of these musicians!

I ALWAYS smile on stage because drumming is the time of my life! I've never understood the guitarists "painful" face!

That drummer is living his best life! Some rapid drumming to keep pace with Knopflers fast note playing!

Great reaction, girls! They play Sultans faster live, its much better! I was there at Hammersmith Odeon , London in July 1983. I was there, just turned 18 and 39 years later this is still the best. I thought this was normal! The musician who stood out was Terry Williams on the drums, I've seen good drummers in my time (Phil Collins, Chester Thompson, Charlie Watts, Mark Brzezicki and more) and Terry's performance was the best. They were ll on top of it. The whole place was rocking, I was on the balcony and it was shacking, we thought it was coming down! As you say, all of the band Mark Knopfler - guitar, vocals, Alan Clark - keyboards, John Illsley - bass guitar, backing vocals, Hal Lindes - guitar, backing vocals, Terry Williams - drums were world class. We knew they were good, it was amazing. Now, ladies, its compulsory, you have to watch the Alchemy version of Telegraph Road, it was the encore

the secret to play drums like this is to never cramp and keep your body loose.

so many dynamics in this version, light and shade

Terry Williams could sure handle a drum set!

Yes I do love this version, seen it but never get tired of it! ❤️❤️🌺🌺

This performance came after they had performed their hit hundreds of times, and polished it perfectly.

Seen dire straights live in 85 deeside north wales,awsome concert and the reason why i bought a guitar and learnt ❤

As a bass player myself, I’ll accept the ‘bookends’ moniker. If the shoe fits, wear it.

Terry Williams the drummers performance is outstanding, not only on this track but on the whole concert, interestingly his father was in the audience and it was the first time he had seen him play live.

Anyway all in all....pure magic

Please have a look at the live version of "Tunnel of Love" from the "Alchemy" Tour- You will love it! Mark and the guys were on fire that night- I know, I was there!

look at his gitar playing so relaxt

As you loved this, you'll also love 'Telegraph Road from the same Alchemy Live - the keyboard playing is fantastic

I am amazed you saw he played with his fingers! He is self educated. I've been to a concert of them in Rotterdam and they were/are amazing! Thank you for your reaction!

Mesmerising. Watched this maybe 50 time or so I think lol. You can watch this again and again and so great watching them having such a blast. A set of musicians at the top of their game. Glad you've finally watched and enjoyed this

So hey G'day to U both from Australia!, I think that you ladies are setting a very strong message for mother and daughter LOVE & RESPECT witch admire very deeply!🤠👍

Great choice. Incredible live show. Mark is incredible as usual but the drummer Terry Williams put this one over the top.

Terry Williams (drums) was on FIRE! He almost stold the show. Allan Clark (keyboards) is his usual amazing self). John Illsley (bass) - pushing the song with Terry. Hal Lindes (rhythm guitar) still learning to keep up with Mark. And Mark Knopfler - one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Best live performance ever by a rock band. NOBODY wanted it to end.

Never fails to catapult me in feelgood mood! Perfect everything, guitar, drums, etc. Pure rock'n roll!!!🤘🤘🏻🤘🏻 Even watching you celebrating great music is beautiful!!! I am really curious if there is anybody who dislikes such music.

Couldn't on click on this reaction fast enough. If you play guitar every day for years your fingers build up callouses. That super strong drummer is the great Terry Williams. Now, do yourself a favor and listen to "Telegraph Road" from the same show, you won't be sorry.

So glad you were able to react to this. Great reaction.😊😊👍👍

Thank you for doing this version. Really enjoyed your reaction!

Imagine being part of the live audience!😵

You really should listen to "Friday On My Mind" by the Easybeats - Guitar George & Harry's names were inspired by Georige Young and Harry Vanda the guitarists from that band and they went on to produce music including the first 5 albums for George's younger brothers Angus & Malcolm whose band did pretty well (AC/DC). Friday On My Mind's guitar riffs sound simple but they are actually insanely hard progressions - Knopfler appreciated how good those guys were.

Wonderful performance and song. Some people joked that this tour was sponsored by a sweatband company. Speaking of the best live performance ever, Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb," Pulse Concert.

you can watch it over and over again?! I have since finding this version, so much so it goes through my head during sleep. Great reaction

So glad you finally got to see this version. Like many, I've watched it several times and I always get the same thrill seeing the guys giving it their all and having such fun performing together. Loved your reaction ❤

The drummers dad came to see him that night!

Interestingly, the drummer for this concert is Terry Williams, and he’s potentially the most famous drummer in Dire Straits since this concert is one of the all time most famous concert series ever (the album and video that came out with it were incredibly popular and also notable since they made a point of the fact that there were no overdubs or ‘fixes’, so the sound you hear on the concert media is only what was produced in the live recording, an unusual situation as most ‘live’ s albums include re-recordings to fix errors and sound issues like feedback or buzzes or whatever). However Terry didn’t really play on much of their studio material at all. Pick Withers was their original drummer and he played on the first four albums leading up to this concert. He was much more of a ‘finesse’ player, whereas Terry Williams was much more busy in his playing - less groove but more bombastic and obviously helped the band with a driving energy for this concert. He’s also the drummer that played the famous drum intro on their iconic Money For Nothing song, but he didn’t actually play on the rest of the song, and I think he pretty much got wiped from the rest of the Brothers In Arms album as Mark was a perfectionist and Terry wasn’t able to provide the feel that Mark wanted. So Terry played one concert and did the videos for the Alchemy live and Brothers In Arms studio album plus the drum intro for Money For Nothing, but he was one of the least contributing drummers over Dire Strait’s whole existence.

The studio version of this is one of the best songs for cruising. It's nice that you enjoyed it so much.🤗 What I love about this clip is how much fun they're having. A job like that wouldn't suck. Shout out to the production crew. The filmography during a LIVE concert is incredible. 🤩

If you notice, there are two keyboardists. One is surrounded by pianos and the other has organs. I read somewhere that the drummer's father was in the audience and that this was the first time he had seen his son play in concert.

This was with a new drummer Terry Wiliams and his dad was watching him play for the first time. He let him show it!

That drummer is going ham! He's certainly feeling the live vibe!!

Great reaction to a fantastic performance.

Mark is probably the most versatile of all the great guitarists, everything from rock, blues, country, folk, to Spanish and everything in between. You don't have to react, but listen to 'Altamira' one of his Spanish tunes, it'll give you goose bumps.

That is definitely the best version of this song. I would say even better than the recorded version. It's just so ALIVE Thanks. I have to say if you like guitarists, you should react to Tommy Emmanuel's "Classical Gas". I really do think you'll like it. I have enjoyed quite few of your reactions and enjoyed them all. Thanks.

Talking aboutr nailing it! they sure disd that day !

Telegraph road from the same concert 10/10 even better than the studio version, It's the amalgamation of every dire straits style/songs combined into one beautiful story about the humble beginnings of Detroit to its desperate endings... The song talks about rise and fall of civilization. Not really fall, but rise of a civilization, industrialization and shatter of a man’s dream. How industrialization can cause a man’s dream to fall. In that track you'll see Alan Clarke (the piano/keyboardist) playing at his best 100/10

An epic live performance by an incredible band. Not a weak link in the bunch! Thanks for the reaction. Mark Knopfler (lead singer) is one of the best guitarist of all time.

Mark's solo stuff is good too. He always plays one of the characters in the stories he's telling. In Why Aye Man he's a brick layer finding work in Germany. In Marble Town he's a hobo who has to lay low in a cemetery to escape capture. In Baloney Again he's a black man trying to get his family cross country safely.

Drummers father had never seen him in concert until that night. He pushed that song and was so thrilled his dad was there.

A key note on Mark Knopfler: He was the composer for The Princess Bride. Just a fun note.

Sultans of Swing was their first hit. Mark told Brian Johnson from AC DC the story behind the song. They are noth Geordies from Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England. The band were living in London and went into a bar late one evening. A band were playing to a handful of customers. who weren't that interested. The barman rang the time bell to signal last chance berore the bar stopped serving drinks. The band played one last song and announced to the audience. Thanks for listening. Good night we are The Sultans of Swing. As Mark said they weren't the sultans of anything just a band starting out. And that have him the idea for the song. A music historian analysed the lyrics and thinks he identified the bar. He knew where the band lived. The Lyrics go You get a shiver in the dark It's raining in the park but meantime South of the river you stop and hold everything. You srep inside and don't see many faces. A band is playing dixie double four time. Greenwich is an area in London south of the River Thames associated with sailing and TIME Greenwich Meantime used for navigating at sea originated there. Looking for a bar near a park in Greenwich the historian identified 2 possible bars. A shiver in the dark It's raining in the park Walking home in the rain in the dark they spot a bar and decide to have a beer!

This is one of the greatest performances ever from anyone, Mark Knopfler is my favourite guitar player, he has a lifetime of great playing and songwriting. The whole Alchemy concert is great, every song is brilliant, I recommend Tunnel of Love next, I also recommend listening to the studio version then the live version from them. I would like to hear what you think of Mike Oldfield too, start with his most famous song, Moonlight Shadow.

If I didn't know that she is your mom, I would assume she is your older sister. Rockwell is a singer-songwriter from USA. KNIFE is a song from 1984. It was not released as a single, but the song is amazing. Othwr songs I would suggest: 1. REO Speedwagon - Can't Fight This Feeling 2. Boston - Amanda 3. ZZ Top - Rough Boy 4. Journey - Separate Ways 5. Europe - Carrie 6. Cinderella - You Don't Know What You've Got 7. Def Leppard - Love Bites 8. KISS - Beth 9. Dokken - Will The Sun Rise 10. Jennifer Rush - The Power of Love

the audience must never forget the show i watched kate bush final show at palladim you never forget ❤

This is, by all standards, an iconic song. A lot of liver versions of songs do sound "different". Many groups will add some riffs or verses to change things up. In this version "guitar George, he knows all the (fancy) chords" had the workd FANCY added. Imagine playing the same song the same way for years. I always prefer listening to the live versions especially if I have heard the song a lot in the past. Great reaction... take care.

Thanks for the reaction! Telegraph Road, Once Upon a Time in the West and Tunnel of Love are also great from this Alchemy Live concert