Reading John Illsley's autobiography, and just had to pause and find this gem. John's descriptive storytelling takes you right into this tiny, dingy recording studio (all on John's Grandmother's £500 inheritance). Wow, what a masterpiece of a Demo, no wonder the phones rang off the hook, not long after, with multiple record companies trying to make a deal. This book is a great read.
This was probably the tape that was submitted to Charlie Gillett (of BBC world of music) which started the whole Dire Straits phenomenon when he played it on his show.
This song is obviously the best Fender Commercial ever :-) It's slightly different from the Album recording. The solos are close, but the 6*4 guitar breaks that echoe each lead-singing phrase are quite different. Actually most of these chords differ from the album and that's fuckin awsome to hear the different guitar verses that lead to the album recording and then later to the Alchemy 1983 versions. This song is freaking awsome. About 2-3 years ago they released Mark's lead guitar master recording, the Album one. The sound is perfectly crystalin. The Stratocaster sound plus Mark's fingerpicking technique make the Fender clear sound come to the next level thing. So yes, this song is obviously the best Fender Commercial ever :-)
It's the second time I've listening to this (immediately after the first) and I feel mesmerized. Of course, it's raw, even raucous, but its strength comes from this. I feel more pulse and energy in it than the album version, that I love from the first time I had contact. But this is an unpolished gem whose valour is greater this way! I already loved this tune and now I've refreshed this love. Grateful for the opportunity of discovering this.
From the U.S. here. I heard this once on a rarities segment on WNEW -FM in New York City a long time ago and never heard it since (until here today). Anyway I went looking for the demo and never found it anywhere, however I did manage to find the alternate version on a Vertigo UK import 45 that ran 5 minutes and 48 seconds. I see that this was posted almost 10 years ago, don't know why I missed it all those years. Anyway thanks.
Reading John Illsley's autobiography, and just had to pause and find this gem. John's descriptive storytelling takes you right into this tiny, dingy recording studio (all on John's Grandmother's £500 inheritance). Wow, what a masterpiece of a Demo, no wonder the phones rang off the hook, not long after, with multiple record companies trying to make a deal. This book is a great read.
they got an amazing drummer. Just incredible feel and timing. To me he his tone is also quite incredible on this demo
This was probably the tape that was submitted to Charlie Gillett (of BBC world of music) which started the whole Dire Straits phenomenon when he played it on his show.
The 78 videotape is one of the most inspiring things I have seen it has youth, confidence, and perfection. Man that is a rare combo
this song sounds soooo natural, I get excited every time I hear it <3
I've never tired to listen this!!! Years and years listening this awesome theme, and every time I like it so much!!! IT'S AN SPECIAL THING!!
Let's not forget them drums! Flawless
This is the original version of Sultans of Swing.
It's good, but the 1978 recording for the UK singles market is far superior in every department.
how can there even be a dislike?!?!?
I've been a die hard dire straits fan since the 1980's so to hear the original demo of this classic iconic
When i first heard this song on the radio I was in Fresno, CA (1978) and I thought it was just great upbeat song by Bob Dylan.
Wow, can't believe this is a 'DEMO'. Absolutely flawless.
Early version of a masterpiece.
The song that has written history since that day in Deptford
This song is obviously the best Fender Commercial ever :-) It's slightly different from the Album recording. The solos are close, but the 6*4 guitar breaks that echoe each lead-singing phrase are quite different. Actually most of these chords differ from the album and that's fuckin awsome to hear the different guitar verses that lead to the album recording and then later to the Alchemy 1983 versions. This song is freaking awsome. About 2-3 years ago they released Mark's lead guitar master recording, the Album one. The sound is perfectly crystalin. The Stratocaster sound plus Mark's fingerpicking technique make the Fender clear sound come to the next level thing. So yes, this song is obviously the best Fender Commercial ever :-)
It's the second time I've listening to this (immediately after the first) and I feel mesmerized. Of course, it's raw, even raucous, but its strength comes from this. I feel more pulse and energy in it than the album version, that I love from the first time I had contact. But this is an unpolished gem whose valour is greater this way! I already loved this tune and now I've refreshed this love. Grateful for the opportunity of discovering this.
The first shot of one of the most legendary rock'n roll song ever written and composed...
From the U.S. here. I heard this once on a rarities segment on WNEW -FM in New York City a long time ago and never heard it since (until here today). Anyway I went looking for the demo and never found it anywhere, however I did manage to find the alternate version on a Vertigo UK import 45 that ran 5 minutes and 48 seconds. I see that this was posted almost 10 years ago, don't know why I missed it all those years. Anyway thanks.
when someone records sth like this as a demo you know he's one of the greatest ever :)