Not to mention almost invariably reacting to his own vocal ("he knows all the chords", "he doesn't want to make it cry or sing"; each followed by the appropriate lick).
@@jaycorby I agree! Even in the lyrics they say, "The Sultans, they play Creole." And they also say the "band is playing Dixie, double four time." I think it's a hodge podge but I def feel that southern flavor!
I like that you noticed all the licks and fills between the verse lines are all different. That is what makes it my favorite song of all time. It really is like the vocals and guitar are having a conversation, it’s beautiful. Mark Knopfler is a criminally underrated guitarist. Not just technically good, but real feeling goes into the whole song
No, he is NOT. Any expert worth their salt rates him damn near the top of their list. Mark is criminally UNDERAPPRECIATED by the masses whose list of best or worst is as worthless as a $3 bill...
Something so inevitable about his guitar playing, it's perfect and nothing can change it, no tornado or tsunami.... It's guitar security..... Perfection, or as close as we can get in this "system of things"!
You people here pushing the live version just don't get it. You have to hear the original studio track first then the live one. The demo of this is also worth a listen.
I agree. I fell in love with the clean crispness of the studio version and I think it is best to watch it before the live version. But the live version is something else.
The "Guitar George" and "Harry" who are mentioned in the Dire Straits hit song "Sultans of Swing" are George Young and Harry Vanda from the band The Easy Beats George is Angus Youngs from AC/DC older brother who taught him how to play the guitar. Peace out.
The Alchemy Live version is the only one to review. A longer & heavier version with Terry Williams on drums after Pick Withers went to play with Bob Dylan. Features Marks amazing guitar solo.
When this came out, we were all like 🤩 at the guitar virtuosity combined with Bob Dylan-sounding vocals…it was a stunner. They owe their career to this song.
This is my "getting ready for work song" in the mornings. It's the exact length I need to brush my teeth, slick back what's left of my hair, throw on some clothes, and head out with a funky bounce in my step, lol.
Mark's guitar is one of the most unique iconic sounding in the business. Speaking of wild west, "Upon a Time in the West" by them is a killer. ohhh that twang.
Agree Agree Agree!!! Everything about the Alchemy version is awesome, of course, but that DRUMMER!! OMG!!😮 (It was not their regular drummer, but a fill-in, because the regular drummer was recovering from an injury and had to sit out part of the tour (or so I've heard).
@sherylstone8804 Hi there-just saw your comment and saw Chet Atkins!! It’s been a long while since I heard his name!! My dad and 2 brothers loved Chet. 🎵✌️
I was a senior in high school when this came out and as a musician I knew several pretty good local guitarists. Without exception, every one of them upon hearing this was like, "Who the hell is this guy?" In the States this really did just come out of nowhere, kind of like hearing SRV on David Bowie's album a few years later.
1978 - Dire Strait’s first album with Mark Knopfler’s unique guitar playing and Van Halen’s first album with Eddie VH’s new and unique guitar style were both huge and welcome breathes of air. Quite the year in rock!
Nostalgia maybe? I love this song, and Nick I love how you described the back and forth conversation of the guitar. You're right. It's an appreciation of the roots of music. Well said.
It’s a story of music from past that is pure magic, almost like time travel, I was 16 in the 1970s, with friends when I heard this amazing song and I was forever struck, and today when I hear it makes me so happy ❤❤❤
I love how much effort Nick puts into the reactions with metaphors and such and Ryan sits there nonplussed lol. Finally it gets too much for Nick and he says: "Ryan, do you know anything?" 🤣 Unfortunately, they never topped this song, but Donald Fagen and Walter Becker were impressed enough to invite Mark to play on Steely Dan's 1980 album Gaucho!
This made quite an impact on guitar world back then as it appeared amidst the British Punk scene which was not much about playing but saying, until later.
This song was such a relief when it first came out in early '79. Disco was at its peak, and it manage to hit the top 10 anyway. The outro is the best part and is why you will listen throughout. Sultans of Swing was a hit but would get overwhelmed by their biggest hit "Money for Nothing". Opening song "Down to the Waterline" is one of the all time album openers.
Ryan hit the nail on the head concerning the outro. It is iconic. It was an unwritten rule for jocks not to talk over it like they did with almost everything thing else.
Mark’s touch, tone and note selection is immaculate… this may have been one of the best recordings every captured. It pulls you into some timeless atmosphere where emotion body and thoughts float seamlessly in pure clear awareness. He is right about Lindsey they are both finger pickers. ❤
As far as the relaxing guitar sounds you are talking about, it comes down to a few things. Number one is the tone. Clean, gentle tone automatically sets that calming mood! That im addition to Mark’s fínese is a recipe for success. The second thing is a little more technical. The chords being used in that section are suspended chords that resolve back to their natural sound. By changing at least one note in a chord you suspend it causing tension and dissonance in the sound of the chord. By resolving you return back to the natural sound creating this sort of sigh of relief moment. Suspended chords are EVERYWHERE in music and are an essential tool to create atmosphere.
I was a rocker in 1978 when this came out - and so where my friends and bandmates. This wasnt rock music but we all loved it and we all still do! Timelessly great!!! Just plain g r e a t.
Alchemy Live, as mentioned, is incredible and is a rare case of exceeding the studio version by a considerable amount. "Telegraph Road" from Alchemy Live is one of the most awesome live performances - a MUST EXPERIENCE. Album "Love Over Gold" is a masterpiece.
The line about "Guitar George" and "Harry" refers to Aussies George Young and Harry Vanda who were the mainstays of The Easybeats and together wrote a string of hits for other Australian artists through the 70s and into the 80s George Young's younger brothers Angus and Malcom founded AC/DC and, Vanda and Young produced their first albums
The lyrics are great too. He’s writing about a jazz combo he saw in an empty club. He’s very jazz influenced. Look into Django Reinhardt as a huge jazz guitar influencer.
Quite possibly the single greatest DEBUT single a band had ever put out! This was the first thing anyone heard from this band.... Its fucking RIDICULOUS! 💯😎 Its making starter guitar players think about a future in Insurance Sales to this day! 🤣
Mark Knopfler actualy played on 3 Dylan albums and he produced the album "Infedels". The unique sound Mark hets out of that guitar that reminds you of Lindsey Buckingham is because Mark fingerpicks. Other great songs you will love are "Tunnel of love", "Telegraph Road", "Private Investigations", "Brothers in arms" and "Calling Elvis".
This song was everything that represented the uniqueness of FM radio at the time when it came out in 1978..............you'd never hear it played on a AM station.
Shocked and disappointed they had no awareness of this song. I remember when it was released; it was played non-stop on the radio (does anyone remember radio?), and it sounded like no song song heard before (or since). It’s not my favorite song, but it is monumental. The association with Buckingham’s guitar work is interesting, as bit guitarists play finger style.
This is one of my favorite songs of the 70s. I do think that it’s one of those songs that might not grab you on first listen...but after you hear it two or three times, it’ll be in your head forever. (P.S. I think there are more jazz elements in this song than blues.)
This sounds like we have 1978/79 and cruising down the road in a convertible on a hot summer day in Texas. What fun we had blasting this song on the car radio. Good old days. I still can feel the sun on my skin and the smell of =You know what - 😉 Hello from an old lady in Germany 🙋♀️🇩🇪
The consensus in the comments section is that you three must react to the Alchemy Live version of this classic piece. I heartily concur. It takes up about 11 minutes of pure guitar magic, drumming excellence and keyboard skill that will have you going back to look at it over and over again. Mark Knopfler's fingers literally dance upon the strings effortlessly as he makes his stick almost speak during one of the best solos in rock concert history.
That entire album is one of my favorites. The majority of the songs are pretty mellow, but back when this came out we would pool together a pile of “one hitters” and play a ton of euchre.. Another great reaction!👏👏
Estas son las joyas de los años 70, exactoi se lanzó en 20 octubre de 1978 esta versión de Dire Straits llegó al # 4 a mediados de 1979 en Billboard; es un TEMA MAESTRO EXTRAORDINARIO, por su vocal, ritmo y guitarra en el solo uno de los mejores de todos los tiempo, década 70 siempre la mejor!!!
This is music for the calm mind, which is becoming rarer and rarer, modern music is designed for the chaotic mind which is why fewer people who are younger can’t get it although there still some who can👀🤷♀️👀🤷♀️
Had to edit, cuz I posted before I watched the whole reaction.... My God, that song is STILL frickin' amazing! I was so blown away by Mark's playing (and his singing!!, and I bought the album as soon as it came out, and it has been one of my absolute faves! The whole album is fire, but DAMN, this song is so good! I never get tired of hearing this tune! You guys are on fire today! You had me laughing out loud till I was in tears!!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that so much! I really NEEDED such a great reaction today, both one of my favorite songs/artists ever, and you guys' great senses of humor! Thanks for this 4th of July Treat!!!🧨🤗🤣😂 Also wanted to tell ya, please listen to their song "Romeo & Juliet". Based on your reactions to this, you will NOT be disappointed. If you do it, please read up on the song first, because, well.....context is everything.😋
I've heard this song almost my whole life, but until now didn't notice how Knofler's singing reminded by of Lou Reed. I mean just like an English Lou Reed! Great great song, glad you'll liked it!
I was 20 when this album came out. Monumental, especially this song. What means most about the song is that two of my younger brothers could play this and very close to the recording. I'm so proud of them and also in awe because I know how hard they worked to have a repertoire of over 500 songs, in their bodies. It just blows my mind how these musicians can have the discipline and love to get to this god-like level of musicianship. It is music from the gods, literally, because it's timeless. Great reaction guys.
I'm hopeful this will hit me better now than it did back in the day. But either way, I will be happy to see my three fave guys!! Happy Independence Day, everyone!!🎉❤
@@brigitte9999 I tried, I really did! But nope. In fact, I've never heard one song of theirs that I have liked. But hey, thanks for some company here in the minority👍😁😊
Knopfer's guitar work is akin to listening to a great song sung in a language you do not speak - it 'talks' and conveys emotions without words. Reminds me of Carlos Santana. Do Tunnel of Love next.
Definitely an all-time classic. Hard to put this into a category with the finger-picking guitar style and the Lou Reed influenced vocals, but such a great pocket and groove. Thanks for the reaction.
I didn’t much like this as a little girl…but HOLY SHIT, when I heard it decades later, it hit me like nobody’s business…nothing like it! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 My other favourite is “So Far Away” ❤
There's a live version out there that blew my mind, never heard, in 76 years of listening anything quite so remarkable as that! It'll blow you away too, I guarantee it, no question about it. It nearly wiped me out and I don't know how they lived thru it....... Hunt it up, you'll thank me......
I feel like Nick is writing down some thoughts before the video and then reads some of the stuff. Cool! He's being professional and wants the public to know what he fully feels and thinks.
1)Marty Robbins, e.g. Devil Woman 2) Debussy, The gaps between notes are as important as the notes themselves (Also Mark Hollis). 3) The nuance of the guitar playing. Never forces anything but drifts in & out of notes, rather like a Frank Sinatra type singer. Absolute mastery & confidence.
Smooth as butter. It's crazy that 2 of you had never heard this song before. Well, you've heard it now. :) Better late than never. I enjoyed hearing about the origin of the song's title. Thanks, Boys.
"Ride Across the River" from "Brothers in Arms" is mesmerizing. I have had that album since it came out in the early eighties, but only recently have I discovered this particular song. Actually, the second half of the album starting with "Ride Across the River" is magnificent.
Great reaction, guys! I was 16 when this song hit the radio, and kinda blew my mind. I was always loved hard rock, and when bands like Van Halen came out it was just more of the same. But when Dire Straits, The Cars, Foreigner and The Police hit the airwaves, it was a completely different vibe. This song was huge! Loved it!
It is almost impossible to not have heard this song even seeing that you guys are young. That's incredible. Anyway, Mark Knopfler has a unique tone of guitar playing and in this classic song specifically I hear a hybrid of something like classical and steel guitar and banjo with hints of Spanish that is so smooth and soothing - a truly unique sound and instantly recognizable. Love the slight reverb on it as well. Your next Dire Straits song should be Industrial Disease, my favourite Dire Straits tune and one of my favourites ever. It is cheeky social commentary, funny and with great keyboards and guitar.
So many great songs to hit from them. Down to the Waterline, Industrial Disease, Solid Rock, Romeo and Juliet, Tunnel of Love, Skateaway, Expresso Love, Twisting By the Pool.
@@jethro1963 brilliant tunes, that virtuoso guitar and then those lyrics. “Romeo and. Juliet” , “Tunnel of love”, Skateaway,, are proper urban poetry. Up there with Dylan and Jackson Browne
BTW... Did you know that Mark and his brother David Knopfler are playing Fender Stratocasters here (and most songs) finger-style... Yeah, sans pick! 😁 Hence the amazing guitar dynamics. Interesting that you mentioned Lindsey Buckingham, you'll find him and Mark Knopfler on many a list of guitarist greatest of all time in the top 10. As a guitarist myself, Knopfler is by far my #1 followed by David Gilmour of Pink Floyd.
