A blast from the past this morning. Here’s a much younger Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits in a live performance of their breakout hit “Sultans of Swing“, filmed in Basel, Switzerland in 1992. It’s noteworthy for a very long, extended guitar solo by Mark Knopfler, which showcases his genius on that instrument like no other Dire Straits track I’ve heard. Note, too, how the group follows his musical lead as he “departs” from the by-then-traditional tune, improvising and flowing naturally with his variations. It’s a virtuoso performance by all concerned.
They make it look so effortless, don’t they?
Peter
Amazing performance, variations on a theme done so well. Not a piece of sheet music in sight, they just play and know where the tune is going by what they are doing. Brilliant performance.
Yep, he went way of the the reservation with that one.
There's a reason Eric Clapton added him to his tours
Some years ago I was visiting my dad when he got out a VHS tape and said, "Take a look at this Chet Atkins performance. There's some English guy playing with him and he's pretty good too." It was Mark Knopfler of course.
That sounds like the same 'improvisation' he's been doing since the Alchemy album in 1984 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-yRuFcd2dw
Probably the most pleasant 12 minutes I'll have today. Masters of their craft! Thank you, Peter.
Thanks for that!
Nice! Never saw that version before!
Nice!
Always enjoyed this cover version: https://youtu.be/x0RV0kgdqJU
Leo Moracchioli does a lot of metal covers of songs you wouldn't expect and, well… Mary Spender who, if you're not familiar already, you're welcome!
Makes me wet my pants every time I hear it. The only other time is when I hear "Tunnel of Love" in Officer and A Gentleman.
I certainly can't disagree with Tunnel of Love.
For Sultans, I will admit I prefer the Alchemy version (referenced upthread), or the Wembley 1985 version ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-yRuFcd2dw starting at 4:46).
Tunnel of Love, for that concert, starts at 39:30.
Also notable, the lack of rapes and other violence — the era before immigration ….
Very nice. And refreshing to hear the sax more in this version. The Alchemy performance is more fun to watch, imho, in large part because the musicians all look like THEY are having fun, too. In the Basel one, Knopfler looks pretty bored.
Did someone mention Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler? It's on YT!