Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing [Cover by Mary Spender and Josh Turner] 

Thanks for having me Mary! I never thought I’d do another video of this, but I’m so glad I did.

I know you two have received thousands of comments on this video. This comment will probably be lost in the crowd. I am 60. I heard this song when it came out. Before you were born probably. Since the I have been a Mark Knopfler fan. I have to say, you blew this one away. Mark would be proud. Thank you both. You’ve given me much joy from this cover. God Bless you both, you are in my prayers.

This is the best video I’ve seen thus far on RU-vid. Mary’s low, sustained voice adds such a nuanced touch to the song while josh’s is reminiscent of Mark. Truly a great performance.

You both were GREAT ! Being 73 years old..... I have been playing guitar for 60 years. I've played that tune a TON of times......but NEVER came close to that sound. Yours was a great performance, production, feeling and groove. Both of you folks are big time standouts. Best of luck to you all down the road.

The gold cat's timing was a little dodgy, but the humans sound fantastic together!

It is a rare cover of "Sultans of Swing" that captures not just the music, but the artful mood............good show........

I get a shiver when Mary's voice enters low over the single coils

There are two ways to do an excellent cover: (#1)to nail the original note-for-note and deliver a perfectly faithful homage, or (#2)to transform the original sound so completely that you make the song your own. One of the most amazing things about this cover is that it gives me both of these at once. Mary's vocals are so beautiful, so melodic, so rich in their tone & phrasing (and beautifully captured by that condenser mic too!) that it absolutely transforms the song. Josh, in contrast, leans so perfectly into the original track, channeling Mark Knopfler directly, and perfectly duplicating not just the famous "twiddly bit" at the end, but catching some of the best filler licks all the way through the tone and wringing Mark's early Strat sound out of a Telecaster with real skill. This cover absolutely satisfied me in both ways at once. It manages somehow to be both completely faithful to the Dire Straits album, and completely original at the same time. Most performers struggle to achieve one or the other of these, and you've nailed both.

This is the first cover that I have heard of Sultan's that displays such originality while still honoring the original.Very real. Very brave, Now this will become a classic!

Josh just keeps getting better and better and Mary... that voice... the range! Amazing.

Playing the song beautifully = Outstanding. Having the lyrics tapped to the videographer = Priceless. 👏

This take is not on Spotify. This kills me. This take is flawless.

I must echo the comments about Mary’s low register singing in the first lines. It took my breath away. As always Josh’s guitar work was immaculate. A really enjoyable cover.

Absolutely phenomenal, guys. Jazzy, funky...that female voice and the male's solo work was sublime. The best cover of this song I've ever heard.

What a duet... You nailed it guys. The touch, the feel, the double voicing, the whispering end... Love it. Loved every bit of it. Thanks for spreading love... 🥳✨

I love how Mary goes from deep and sultry to a high falsetto. And Josh - great finger picking.

Besides the spot on guitar playing, the vocals are great. Mary does a sultry Sultans vocal and Josh is perfect laid back vocal. Excellent trade offs vocally and spot on guitar licks. Great rendition.

Mary has one of my all-time favorite low registers on a woman singer. So much tone and feeling. Amazing!

I have watched this about a dozen times and it just keeps getting better. So well done. Mark Knopfler needs to see this.

Witnessing this level of brilliance leaves you speechless

Your cover of this song with Leo at Frog Leap Studios has to be one of my most rewatched videos. Can see myself rewatching this one over and over too. Definitely one of my favourite songs. Thanks!

Wow! Mary's video "RU-vid Musicians Can't Play Live", in which she talks about how much work it took to get this one near-perfect take, helped me really appreciate this video and every little detail of the performance. Seeing Mary's fingers shaking a couple of times, hearing Josh's breathing between guitar licks as though he was singing them, seeing their nervous glances at each other as they approached the end, etc. It was all so natural and human, yet they both performed relatively flawlessly. The result was SO MUCH BETTER than an assembled edited video made up of perfect segments from multiple takes, which is what we're used to seeing in RU-vid performances.

One of the best Sultans cover I have ever heard... The guy plays it twiddly bits as Mark says in one of videos, fantastic. And that girl with the dark voice, goosebumps here

There is no sound more beautiful than the sound of one guitar, except two guitars❤

What a throwback...Josh's telecaster sounds like heaven here, just like it did all those years ago.

When Mary sings that first line.... shivers down my spine!

It's nice to see these young people having fun with a great old song.

I keep listening to this over and over. 😊

This is hella impressive and to have to audacity to play a perfect fade out without any technical trickery. The utmost respect to you two. Holy cow. More please

Gosh, this is one if the best covers I have ever seen. Mary's voice is simply bliss. And woah this guy Josh killed it

I was around when this first hit our local radio station in the late 70's. Before MTV or the internet. And by a band we had never heard of. We were stunned and wanted more. Got that feeling again listening to this. Thanks for posting.

The guy looks like even the chords are words, poetry in what he seems to be living like real language. Great job, real emotion.

I'm not a fan of fade outs but when you do it physically with your fingers and expressions, it is hysterical. Good job!

I like how Josh is breathing with the guitar, makes the song so much more lifelike.

Both of you play guitar with great passion and deep emotion and wondrous chemistry. But what stands out Mary is your astounding make it your own vocals. Dire straits mark knopler brought to unimagined realms. Josh I have seen you many times accompany Allison young, you are always humble and amazing.

Great Job Mary. I met Mark knopfler when I was 16 at Key sound rehearsal studious at Greenwich London in 1978. He played telegraph road as he waited for the gang to arrive and encouraged me to push on. I've loved music and played since I was 10. Great stuff. lots of love Lee Mitchell. X 🙂

Josh killed that solo

That is such an utterly clean sound and josh hit the solo. Well done both and thank you for letting me listen!

WOW, that must have been the best ever cover of Sultans of swing .Both guitars sound awesome with impeccable tone , and impressive voices too, Very well used dynamics. This girl has got a killer voice , spot on .

Mary's alto voice is directly crawling down my spine. Brillant!

Josh Turner is stellar! He really "gets" the feel of the song. Loved hearing him!

He's clearly an exceptional guitarist, but I find his voice the most remarkable. She is a dream come true.

Magic how your voices Blends perfectly. Hes voice is so pure! No effort, No extra and great!!

Mary, if you ever are having a down day, just read these comments. Hearing (and watching) beautiful performances like this one truly makes life worth living. Thank you both so very much.💕💕

I saw Dire Straits, a band I had never heard of, perform this in a tiny club in Washington DC on their first tour in 1978. They tore the roof down. It was amazing. This somehow honors that performance and sound so beautifully. Mark K. had to build his guitars to get that sound -- I don't know what electronic wizardry you used, but you nailed it.

Josh's deep inhale at 5:29 adds so much intensity to the entire solo! I caught myself making the same expression during that part without even thinking about it🤣

Seriously, am I the only one who sees these two as brother and sister? The way they each interpret the song flawlessly in their own way is just mythic. Almost supernatural. Awestruck, I bow!!

Mary, I've been a professional musician for well over 55+ years (retired now). Be aware that here in very small Sierra Vista, Arizona (pop: about 40K), we listen to YOU! I thoroughly enjoyed your cover of Sultans...young Josh has some nice licks also. I found your use of lower register voice in the beginning to be VERY compelling, which drew me in from the start. I would like to hear more of that attribute, perhaps in a slow number. But then again, I'm old and slowed down a bit! I also enjoyed your video tutorial about state of the music industry. Quite informative. Looking forward to more of YOU! Take care. Have a nice day. John

The level of clarity in the vocals and the tone of the guitars is insane, just so detailed and crisp. Props to your amazing performance but also huge respect for your engineer.

I fell in in love with my wife with this song. I was dancing holding my first-born son with this song. I am 62 and I've never before heard a better version of SoS. Like two angels singing! Thank you Mary and Josh :)

Now that was worth every second of watching,a purely classic cover, well 👍👍

So proud of our new generation with so much talent. I am Mark’s age and grew up in England with his music. Never thought two young and beautiful people can perform so amazingly well. Keep the great work going.

When they started harmonising on the “way on down south London town” bit, I literally got full body shivers

Josh could have gone on and on - would have blown my brains out. Mary really had to be on form there and she really smashes it.

The best rendition of this song since the Dire Straits did it. Kudos to you both,

Mary Spender, your voice is absolutely unbelievable. I mean I love your playing, Josh's playing and singing, and the arrangement, but your voice is the true standout of this piece. Magnificent!

Wow, wow, wow. That was flawless. Mark Knopfler will be very proud. Absolutely loved this arrangement!!

Phenomenal guitar-playing. And a really authentic new version with that great female voice. Just terrific.

My Dad passed away in February, and this song is my closest link to him. Every time I hear it in whatever pure form it is performed in, it makes me cry. I don't know why, but the line "He can play the honky-tonk like anything" reduces me to tears immediately. Thank you for this cover, not many cover versions do justice, but this absolutely does.

There was magic happening when they did this. Mary's voice, Josh's guitar and vice versa. Just very special.

I don't know how you did it but you've found a brand-new and exciting and fresh way to do this classic!!! I'm sure Mark would be proud! LOVE IT!!!!!!!

Smoke’n!! . . . YOU ~ ROCK ! ! 🎸 👍 🤛

Mary and Josh are the heroes we need...but don't deserve. This is simply a masterclass of music on so many levels. Please listen to this with headphones on...do yourself a favor.

Wow, well done. I like Mary's lower register voice. It has a unique timbre. The soprano voice is like many others, but I think there is more character to be mined in the lower register. Excellent guitar work Josh, very well executed.

This is my favorite song for 43 years. You both performed it masterfully. I've heard both of your prior covers, which were also great. But together you nailed it. Thank you!

That was an awesome rendition - I forget how sweet and melancholy this song really is 🙂

I keep on coming back to this one. Very lovely.

I'm.....no words. I just discovered you Mary. I'm 56 and I thoroughly enjoy watching younger generations cover the classics and show that they were exposed to multitudes of different types of music! To be honest I would pay money to see these two perform right now. On RU-vid there's a lot of young talent too many names to mention, but I would definitely go to a coffee house or even the bigger venue to see these guys

If there was ever a version of this classic that comes close to bettering the original then this one is it! Mary - you have a golden voice.

Mary's voice. ❤

The first minute of this is so incredibly compelling, I can listen to it all day. The rest is awesome too, but Mary's intro and up through Josh's first verse is just magic.

I liked how Mary started smiling the moment Josh began playing and singing. It looked as though she was enjoying the prospect of them nailing this classic song.

Dire Straits first single, and arguably their best. Really enjoyed this cover.

It sounds like Josh has perfect pitch. Super talented, and an amazing ear for the tone. I'll be checking out his videos!

Oh Mary ... what an expressive voice you have ... and of course both of your playing was spot on ...

Someone sign this girl, she has more talent than the entire Spotify chart combined. Love you Mary 👌

This old guitar player says..."WOW, that was mighty impressive!" BRAVO! Loved it.

Still LOVING this cover.

Best cover I've heard of a classic song - think I like it better than the original!

Wow, just fantastic, love seeing these two together! Liked hearing Josh inhale on the bend at 5:30 and 5:34, glad they left it in.

First time I saw Josh's vid of this song in his room, I thought "hey, this kid's pretty good". Now I watch him and think "this young man has amazing talent!!"

Love the fact Mary is playing the chimey Strat, while Josh is playing the more twangy tele.

How does the Lord above gift a person with such musical talent…guitar virtuoso and a voice like an angel!?!?

WOW, where do I start. I thought I’d heard all the variations on this song. Mary, your voice in the lower register was so smooth. Sent shivers up my spine and Mary, play that guitar much? And Josh, well you nailed it. I really loved how you guys put your own flair to it. This is why I return again and again to see what you guys’r up to. Thanks so very much!

Mary and Josh, I am a 75 year old newbie to your videos, AWESOME cover, thank you Fran

I absolutely adore how Josh focuses on nailing that solo and eventually takes the deeeeep breath before the big bending :D Sooo genuine! Love it

The emotions that this cover has generated in me is inexplicable. Just perfect. They deserve the glory. Greetings from Argentina.

I have been a Dire Straits fan since the late eighties when I was a deeply unfashionable 13 year old(!) and I can honestly say that to my ear, that’s the best version of it kicking around the internet. By far. It's actually the only one that hasn't irritated me on some way and moreover I actually feel you’ve both added something to something that seemed untouchable. I don’t think I ever ever comment on these either! I can’t play an instrument but I know what I like and I hope someone has brought it to MK’s attention. I think he would like it. A deeply respectful new take on a classic by two deeply talented younger artistes. Bloody good effort. Superb, in fact. I hate people who are good at stuff - so annoying! 😉

that breathing tho during solo shows how clean the sound. So good!

Hey Mary and Josh, what a lot of talent to cram into one room. You are the Sultans, of a new generations.

Mary Spender is incredible and Josh is and excellent picker!

Well, dear Mary, I was 10 years old as I heard Sultans of swing for the first time. And it was magic. From that day I knew I would play guitar someday. Today I am 53 and I am playing guitar for 40 years. Thanks for this beautiful and dignified cover. My love and blessings to you 🙏

Leaving Josh's breaths in the production was a good decision. It really added an organic feel to this performance. Great job, y'all!

Those hammer downs with the pinky were so nasty Josh! You both absolutely reinvigorated this song in crisp HD, my gosh what a treat! And the soft closing was fantastic too!

Her voice is just sultry. Wow

My chair spun around 180° and I slammed the like button.

I could listen to Mary sing out all the names of people in a phone book....what a smooth, refined voice....

This was just simply incredible. The timing was spot on through the whole thing, and their voices blend so well together!

Love that live fade-out. That was awesome.

Two guitar players that suit each other; some kind of wonderful.