SOS from studio to live versions

[ybot]

From studio version to 1979 most gigs were similar.
By 1980 he added more phrases and changed it a lot.
By 1982 to Alchemy you can listen to a total different song from the begining gigs. I believe, Alan Clark arrangements did matter.
BIA versions differ a little bit from Alchemy.
By 1988 with the mk1 and another swing , it sounds as a different song compared with Bia.
At OES Mark modified it again and had it unique seal.
At Mark's solo carreer he started playing another way .
Now, playing the red fender he played different notes with his magic.
How do the band(alan, guy, phil , jack) influenced to  these variety of versions?

[Justme]

Sometimes I wish he'd go back to the roots of Dire Straits. Just a four-piece-band.
The stage seems to be overcrowded these days to be honest.

[straitsway75]

Sometimes I wish he'd go back to the roots of Dire Straits. Just a four-piece-band.
The stage seems to be overcrowded these days to be honest.

I agree with you much, too persons now on stage, too brasses on every song 

[JF]

it's in french, but I have compiled all that I have learned through 30 years about this song in this article :

https://www.facebook.com/notes/textes-blog-and-rocknroll/une-chanson-%C3%A0-la-loupe-sultans-of-swing-de-dire-straits/470623356771437/

[ybot]

JF, very nice article!

[ybot]

Sometimes I wish he'd go back to the roots of Dire Straits. Just a four-piece-band.
The stage seems to be overcrowded these days to be honest.

I agree with you much, too persons now on stage, too brasses on every song 

There many songs which would lose a lot without AC keyboards or a saxo

[Terry01]

For me the best version ever is Wembley  ´85. Simply magig for me..

[dmg]

For me the best version ever is Wembley  ´85. Simply magig for me..

Couple of minor greenies.  There are many better versions from later in the tour for me such as Seattle 20.09.85 or both Boston shows and just about every other version too.  It's merely that this is the best known and filmed version that has elevated the performance to the heights it has.  It was still early in the tour and performances and arrangements generally improved as the tour progressed.

[ybot]

1985 had many brilliant versions.  You can determine which one was the best but it helps the way the were recorded

[dmg]

1985 had many brilliant versions.  You can determine which one was the best but it helps the way the were recorded

Yes.  The one from 10.07.85 is listened to most often because it was professionally filmed, but there are much better versions in bad sound.  The ones I mentioned though are in excellent sound.  The Austin 16.08.85 version is also better IMO, and a soundboard.

[dannr1]

I have always preferred SOS closer to the original, 4-piece set up. I like the genuine, small pub rock and roll feel and not the massive stadium set-up

[ybot]

Dmg, where can I find Austin version?
I can only find San Antonio and Houston

[herlock]

For me the best version ever is Wembley  ´85. Simply magig for me..

Couple of minor greenies.  There are many better versions from later in the tour for me such as Seattle 20.09.85 or both Boston shows and just about every other version too.  It's merely that this is the best known and filmed version that has elevated the performance to the heights it has.  It was still early in the tour and performances and arrangements generally improved as the tour progressed.

There's something magicial about this version though. Maybe it's the video, the energy, the 80s cheap visual effects, Mark turning towards Terry alsmost aggressively to signal him to up the tempo... I love it. Sydney 86 at the end of the tour sounds tired in comparison...

[ybot]

Yes, Wembley 1985 was widely broadcasted
Many of SOS version were recorded with vhs or other 80s devices.
The way they were recorded matters in Live gigs

[dmg]

Dmg, where can I find Austin version?
I can only find San Antonio and Houston

Sorry, I meant San Antonio.  Apologies if you thought I had an uncirculated bootleg. 

@Herlock: It is an excellent version - no doubt.  I also don't like the Sydney broadcast in general; very tired performance.