I’m 67. Played in many uk session bands ad does my son. We both agree that this is the most phenomenal live performance of a song ever. I’m a percussionist… Terry Williams is absolutely mind blowing.

ONE OF THE BEST LIVE PERFORMANCES OF ALL TIME!

The alchemy live performance is the greatest live performance humanity has ever seen.

Mark Knopfler always plays this song differently. That man is fantastic, even today

You probably should have been awake during the video!

Everthing perfect, perfect and super perfect ...

Well I guess it's very subjective. To me this is a great performance and a masterclass in musicianship.

I can't believe that you could have any doubts about this performance. No one - NO ONE comes anywhere near close to Dire Straits in the genre. The pure quality of musicianship, the quality of the song, written by Mark, and the sheer showmanship are outstanding. This was in the '80's and still survives as popular as ever nearly 40 years on. That doesn't happen to music which is doubtful. Maybe it isn't your kind of music ... yes, it must be that. you just do not understand it.

This must be the only guy on You Tube with this view! I’ve watched this performance more than any other clip and am amazed every time still. It is faultless and an example of musicianship at its finest. Special call out to MK and TW - a masterclass!

Sir, I apologize but your argument is weak... This 38 years old live performance is one of the legendary moments in rock decades, and a thousand times better than the studio version... Yes, the story is simple: a rock band is performing a song about a rock band, live. But it presents perfection in simplicity... with a lot of extras: awesome drumming (Terry Williams), very unique and rare guitar work, joy and sadness caused ordinary facts... I can't imagine that your rating to studio version is more than that live performance. If I'm right, maybe you shouldn't react to this, because your thoughts are fixed about it... Or better you may sleep first, cause you did not see anything and I'm not sure you've heard yet too... One or another, don't know.. (by the way, I am not a DS fan. But this one is not only a music piece, it's a complete artwork. I respect to your final thoughts about this song; but even though you have not listened exactly, they're meaningless..)

by far my favorite performance of this song

Alchemy is a freaking Masterpiece

Hahaha you're almost falling to the floor so tired and falling asleep. Try to react to a song when you're not this tired. Also seemed to me this is not your kind of music. Either way this is a masterpiece and one of the best live performances ever. Cheers.

6.5 !!!!?????? are you deaf? this was recorded in 1978!!! with the means of 1978, the arrangements of 1978. The solo was a bit long, but it was LIVE, and playing their best piece, which they lengthened to give more to the audience! 6.5 for Mark Knopfler!!!? hummmmm, you need to consult a doctor quickly!!!

Interesting take on what is widely regarded as one of the greatest live performances of all time. As for returning to the same licks, that is what makes any song what it is. You take those out and the musicians could just be playing anything. Any musician can play around with a musical scale in a given key with no plan. Completely 'free-forming' is just lazy and evidence of a lack of musical understanding and talent. At the same time, getting up on stage and just performing a song exactly the same way every time year after year can get boring for the musicians. Early Dire Straits live performances are almost note perfect renditions of the studio recordings, which is remarkable in itself, but by this point the band had been around a while and had expanded to include keyboards, piano and saxophone (and would later include other instruments, most notably pedal steel guitar) and the song arrangements were often changed up to incorporate these new elements during concert performances.

So different from studio version and, in particular, the drums take it to another level!

Dire Straits was always a ten out of ten but the Alchemy live concert took them to about 15/10 it's that much fun and better.

Love this classic! My youngest daughters name is “Sutton”, she’s six, so I’ve made her think this song is about her. I tell her it’s the “Sutton’s of swing” she loves it!

10 / 10 is not a high enough score. you must be mad.

Top 20 guitarist of all time! Love Mark ♥️

Baffled by your opinion... a great song reinterpreted as a unique live performance. Try Joan Baez's Brothers in Arms for another Mark Knopfler classic reimagined. She uses her voice to sell the song. Knopfler expresses as much with the guitar. Both great.

One of my favourite live performances 😂 Incredible musicianship, great energy, plays around with the song brilliantly imo. You're always honest though so I appreciate that 👌

What are you talking about. Live means live This was a classic Totally disagree Total class.

The problem with people who like American heavy metal is, they are not going to like chilled out rock.

Well I'm sorry that you had any doubts about this live performance, got to be one of the best ever...6.5 you don't know what you're talking about...😮

Had the pleasure of seeing them a few times in the early 80's. Great concerts when you got the feeling they were enjoying it as well instead of filling in time before the after gig party as some bands seemed to be. Excellent band helped of course by the genius of Knopfler

You are the comic book guy from the Simpsons and I'd say that's endearing

Finding it hard stopping myself from having a rant here!!! Review of this review, didn’t do any for me, 0.5/10. 👍🇬🇧 dire straits performance 10/10

This was the style back in those days of live performances by rock bands. Drawn out songs and long solos. Most of the big name bands did it. I personally loved it and think that Telegraph road is even better. But as I have aged have grown to really enjoy his more laid back music since .

Every reviewer has an off night. It appears that you were nodding off at the end.

As a long-time fan of Dire Straits (and Quen, Pink Floyd, Genesis, R.E.M., Rammstein) and also classical music, I cannot share your judgement. It's not my favourite song, but my favourite version of it. I can't listen to the studio version. I hate it on principle when pieces are faded out. A good example is Hotel California by the Eagles.

This is one of the GoaT, Mark is insane and Terry made the impossible

Absolute classic 👌

i love the energy they have live and the drummer on this is out of this world, the studio version is my morning drive song

I'm not a big fan of Dire Straits, but this performance is just outstanding. I always respected your opinion, and I still do but I can't believe your score 😂

Lol That performance is from "Alchemy". A double LP with... 11 songs. 5 of them more than 13 minutes long. That's the usual Dire Straits or Mark Knopfler alone performance. If he was runnning and sweating on the stage in underwear probably your score was 8.5 XDDDDDD. Dire Straits was my first musical love, and Alchemy was my first favourite album and resumes what I use to like in music: live albums, great guitar and long songs. Then I discovered Pink Floyd. Curiosity: Dire Straits made their last ever concert in my hometown, Zaragoza, Spain. Obviously I was there :)

Essa apresentação me fez ser fã do Dire Straits

U have a point if this wasn't one of the bests songs ever. Pure genius and a super classic. For other artists, you could be right.

Always nice to see a dissenting opinion. (Even when it's clearly wrong.) ;)

Get some sleep man.

I love this song and its one of my all time favourite jam to songs. And I totally agree with David on this one.

Such a good song

Ähm sorry??? Too long??? Bored from great music??? How is that possible??? 😳🙄

😮😮😮

Couple of minutes in, bravely committed to watching despite clear reservations... We'll keep watching, he said like a man facing tedium beyond the limits of human endurance. But, no, the soporific effect of this repetitive passionless performance sent David into a deep sleep right there on camera... Actually nodding off, literally falling asleep, visibly struggling, so so bored. Someone please get this man a coffee!

If you’re going into the 80s, I‘d love to see your take on some live songs by The Clash or The Jam.

you serious, wtf

Just goes to show not everyone has the same opinion. I thought it was a 10. Respect for your opinion though.

The studio version of this is one of the best songs for cruising. Too bad you didn't enjoy it so much. What I love about this clip is how much fun they're having. Making a living like that wouldn't suck.

For me this is the most wonderful live performance of all time. The studioo-version is the boring one after watching/hearing this one

What a TUNE, Dude! Love it! Love that pa para paaaaa pa para paaaaa riff, but I agree with you, even the best and tasteful dish can be cloying if it’s too much

Well , just to prove we're all different. The first , and up to now last reaction I've seen with ANY negativity involved. That doesn't make you wrong , just different

oh well .

Isn't it amazing. Armchair expertise is a fabulous thing. Anybody can be somebody and throw a wannabe tantrum.

The best performance of this song is on “the old grey whistle test”.

6.5 score. You're nuts! It's at least an 8.5. IMHO it's a 9.5.

You my friend have the distinction of the first ever thumbs down I have given a music reaction. Even when there has been a difference of opinion, I have given a thumbs up nonetheless or not rated it. This reaction just annoyed and frustrated me. Will give you the point on the drummer though...

The drummer absolutely murders this performance compared to the studio version

Holly freaking crap I was thinking of this song, for some reason, when I was posting my comment on an earlier video. Anyway yeah, thanks for curing a niggling ear worm. That and I don't use a pick either. P.S. Won't see Dave at a Phish concert?

React to (Nirvana - negative creep live (fantastic))

Did you really sleep?

No comment 🤦🏼‍♀️

Too much guitar? Really so you don't like Yngwie Malmsteen, Richie BlackMore, Steve Morse, Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Joe Santriani, Jimi Hendrex, Chuck Berry, Slash, Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bb King, Gary Moore, Tony Iommi, Doug Aldrich, Axel Rudi Pell, Steve Vai, Angus Young, Albert Collins, George Thorogood, Joe Bonamassa and anyone else I missed. Maybe Brian May but he doesn't improvise.

hard to believe that a guy like you never listened to Dire Straits man....after the edit....DUD, ARE YOU CRAZY? You didn't like it? Mannnnnnnnnnnn.......just how come?

I think its just not your type of guitar thing... because if you love it you dont mind repetition or duration

i dont know what grudge this man is holding on to from the past(maybe involving a guitarist?) but let it go man. nice reaction video tho, way to speak ur mind!

This guy seems to be talking about something else.

Your reaction is a complete DUD! Read the comments. Check out some other reactions by reactors who KNOW what they are talking about. Apparently you DON'T!

???? Not sure about the performance???? You carry on watching pop idol. NOT LONG ENOUGH!!!!!

What a shame! I almost unsubscribed but Whatever- you should check how Mark is one the best ever guitarist ever with his finger picking style!!🔥

Lots of extra bars...was this a third encore?! hehehe...make sure the crowd thinks twice about requesting another, content that it's over?! hohoho...a kind score, as usual. : )

If this song was too long for you, then don't even consider listening to any symphony. Maybe today's pop music is something you would enjoy ;) smh for that kinda argument...sry

Definitely not one of your best reviews. But hey: We're all having our 6.5 days.

Iron Maiden any day!

Although i really don't agree with you, i did gave a thumbs up. You were sincere in your opinion and i can respect it and also, very importantly, the way you exposed it. That is why there are so many different and extraordinary bands for all of us to appreciate in different manners. Thanks for the reaction.

you are off your nut, not liking this, one of the best live performances ive ever seen, faultless. And i dont even like Dire Straits.

6.5 is MUCH lower than Pearl Jam reacts... JUST sayin... Dijon and them will confirm this one.... That's the truth, hahahaha *Ducks*

The song is an A meanwhile performance is a C

Thank you for being honest. I find it extremely refreshing. I don't agree with you, but I am very satisfied with the way you do your reactions. You actually give some content to it not like a lot of other reaction channels.

I watched this review because I wanted to know what you thought about it, not what I thought about it, because I love it! Each to their own. I went to a Metallica concert, just once, at Donington Park Monsters of Rock and was totally bored, and who would think that would be possible?! Wish I had seen Dire Straits.

Sorry, but I'm disappointed. You shouldn't do reactions when you're completely tired. This is one of the best performances of the last century!

You don't get it......

Okay so you did this three years ago and will probably never read this. However, when you say you are familar with a song so you are going to judge it just on performance and showmanship and then proceed to have your eyes closed through most of the video I don't put any value in your opinion. This particular performance is overwhelming reguarded as an amazing live performance.

Studio version is more low key and more polished. Live version is more upbeat and stretched out. I liked it alot because I play guitar but I can understand how someone might feel it was too much guitar.

Yes. I love this version for the drums but skip most of the solo.

Are you mad

Today I was browsing your channel again and stumbled across this video. I like Dire Straits very, very much and this song too - it's great so I was very surprised to see how many minuses your reaction has. Still the pros are outweighed, but there are a lot of minuses. After watching, I already know. Many of your viewers have not tried to understand what you are saying well, even though you have emphasized it many times. This is clearly visible when - even superficially - you look at the comments. As I said - I really like this band and this song, but after watching this show I have to completely agree with what you said. If I was at this concert and they would play other songs with the same idea, I would probably be bored to death. I do not know why they decided to do it in such a way, certainly not about time - have so many great songs that the arrangement of the setlist for the concert is not for them no problem. So why? It is said that the better is the greatest enemy of the good - I totally agree, I think that's what happened here.

Dire Straight could take some performance lessons from The Warning for sure! LoL!!!

I'm Gonna get some shit for saying this but, damn when was this song gonna be over! To me, it dragged on WAY too long! Don't get me wrong, I'm a big admirer of Mark's mellow finger picking style but, they kept repeating the same theme over and over way passed when it should have been resolved. And although they did interact on stage, they looked mechanical, like a CG animation on Rock Band or some thing. And that end, they held the trash canning tooo long to where it got boring. In this case, I Much preferred the album version.

Not many people agree with you I feel. Your gonna be in the minority here I think

Sorry, mate, you are simply wrong.

You lose Dave.

Dire Straits fan here, I would have to agree with you when you said that this live version had a little too much guitar in it and kind of just dragged on. I never really liked/nor hated this Alchemy Live version due to that reason, although I would suggest you to give a listen to the later live versions of this song. The first version is from Wembley 1985 (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/opiGncmh2ZrNfXk.html) and the second version is from Sydney 1986 (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nsqKmcuktN67op8.html). Even though the two versions are more or less identical, I find them a lot more interesting than the Alchemy version. Firstly, the middle section where everything kind of feels like it paused. In the Alchemy version, it just kind of feels like it's just the guitar slowing down but then going fast again. However, in the Wembley and Sydney versions, a whole new piano solo and saxophone solo are added. For the former, I feel like it added something to the performance as you can also hear the bass kind of playing along (and at one point sliding up to the A which I as a bassist myself really love for some reason). The latter, also added something to the performance. Not only does it help the song start back up, there is also some sort of call and response between Chris White (the saxophonist) and Mark Knopfler in order to speed the song back up with the F-G-A-G-F-D-A by Knopfler and the G-F-D-A by White. Secondly, the addition of the saxophone really helped liven up the song (for me at least). It helped play some fills (instead of the guitar playing it) and as mentioned just above, helped bridge that small pause-like moment where the song winds down with the final solo. I would say that Mark Knopfler is more of a learned-performance guitar player (which is not saying that he doesn't know how to improvise). This makes his songs feel much longer but also feel more complete and organized in some instances. Let's take the Wembley 1985 (same concert as above) of Tunnel of Love as an example (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fbd3h5VktJOznas.html). It's even longer than Sultans of Swing's live performance, but I don't know whether it's because of the piano or the rather rhythmic playing by Knopfler towards the beginning parts of the song, the performance just felt much smoother. The guitar solo at the end really captured what Knopfler was trying to achieve in the Alchemy version of Sultans: put the song back in motion with the guitar. If you compare Dire Straits early albums vs late albums, you can notice that Knopfler turns from a more guitar driven style of music (Sultans of Swing, Tunnel of Love, Lady Writer, ...) to songs that are not only concentrated on the guitar (Why Worry with the piano, Walk of Life with the synthesizer, Your Latest Trick with the saxophone, ...). (Knopfler he himself has stated that he now doesn't really like his earlier works). So yes, I agree with you that this live version was kind of "repetitive" and had too much guitar in it, but it is as if Knopfler fixed this problem in later versions. I strongly recommend you to maybe compare the Alchemy version with either the Wembley or Sydney version. You could make a new reaction video on one of those and maybe compare it with this one or just reply to my comment your opinion on what I just said (which I would very much appreciate). Maybe check out the Sydney 1986 performance of Walk of Life (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/f62DrM6rz9C3aGQ.html; one of my all time favorite Dire Straits live performance) and/or Two Young Lovers (Alchemy version here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pcyWg9ppl5O8c4k.html and Sydney 1986 version here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fc6mqcVyqZ-loIE.html; [personally prefer the Sydney version due to the interaction between Jack Sonni, the rhythm guitarist and Knopfler at the start]). Anyways, love your videos and appreciate you trying your best to give a fair score with reasoning.

This is a chill tune, not a jam song. It felt like they were trying to tow a 16 foot trailer stacked with lumber with a motorcycle. Too much dynamism and energy in a tune better suited to wind down to.

I cannot believe your reaction!!! Nobody, in this present time can play guitar but you think it was not good enough???? so disappointed .....

Agreed David A little self indulgent for sure and such a simple structure that just didn't go anywhere

Well I suppose that’s as exciting as life was in the 80s, sure glad we’ve evolved entertainment

Why increase the tempo.... It cost the song is it's soul... more of the same is not always better and it needed to improvise more 🤞🇬🇧

I can agree with the performance aspect. It's lackluster at best; and simply was there for his ego. I love love love the song but the vocals seemed phoned in.

It's an overplayed song that Dire Straits had to play for so many years. You can feel it 'cause Mark Knopfler sang the song in a languid way. Making it faster didn't also help. It took away the cool vibe of the song.