Dylan Knopfler: Unearthing a Live Collaboration

The history of Bob Dylan’s live performances is vast and full of surprises. Sometimes, rediscovering a past setlist can reveal unexpected gems. Such was the case when revisiting Dylan’s November 8, 2012 show at Milwaukee’s Bradley Center. While looking for a performance predating his more recent static-setlist era, a note appeared next to four songs early in the show: “(with Mark Knopfler on guitar).” This casual mention hinted at a deeper Dylan Knopfler connection during that period than commonly remembered. It wasn’t just a finale guest spot; Knopfler joined for a significant portion of the concert, tackling diverse tracks like “Girl Of The North Country,” “Things Have Changed,” “Tangled Up in Blue,” and “Million Miles.”

Bob Dylan and Mark Knopfler sharing the stage during a live performance, highlighting their musical collaboration

The Surprising Extent of the Dylan Knopfler Live Partnership

Further investigation into Dylan’s setlists from the fall 2012 tour revealed that Mark Knopfler’s appearances were not isolated incidents. The Dire Straits frontman frequently joined Dylan on stage during the North American leg of the tour, where Knopfler was the opening act. This pattern extended back to their joint European tour in 2011 as well. Over these two tours, the Dylan Knopfler live collaboration spanned 21 different songs. Some were performed numerous times, others only once. Interestingly, despite Knopfler’s significant contribution to Dylan’s 1983 album Infidels (and the follow-up Empire Burlesque), only one song from those sessions, the Infidels outtake “Blind Willie McTell,” made it into their live repertoire together during this period. These were not vocal duets – Knopfler sang lead on only one occasion – but rather Dylan performances enhanced by Knopfler’s distinctive guitar work.

Knopfler’s Subtle Mastery: More Than Just “Sultans of Swing”

Fans familiar with Mark Knopfler primarily through Dire Straits might expect fiery, extended solos reminiscent of “Sultans of Swing.” However, his approach when accompanying Bob Dylan was markedly different, reflecting his more restrained style in recent years even with his own material. Knopfler focused on adding tasteful, melodic licks and fills, often responding to Dylan’s vocal lines. He rarely took the spotlight for long, preferring intricate embellishments over flashy pyrotechnics. This subtlety, combined with the presence of other skilled guitarists like Charlie Sexton and Stu Kimball (and sometimes Dylan himself on guitar), occasionally made it challenging to pinpoint Knopfler’s contributions solely through audio recordings. Early listens might even mistake a particularly adept Dylan solo for Knopfler’s work, a testament perhaps to the inspiration Knopfler provided.

Inspiring Dylan’s Own Guitar Work

While Mark Knopfler is undoubtedly one of the premier guitarists of his generation, his presence alongside Dylan seemed to elevate Dylan’s own playing. In an era where Dylan primarily played keyboards on stage, he picked up his guitar more frequently when Knopfler shared the stage. Some observers noted Dylan’s solos seemed more focused and inventive during these collaborations. It might seem audacious for Dylan to take solos with Knopfler and Sexton flanking him, but the Dire Straits leader’s presence appeared to act as a positive catalyst, pushing Dylan’s performance level. The dynamic suggested a mutual respect and musical understanding, potentially echoing past considerations, however speculative, of Dire Straits possibly serving as Dylan’s backing band in the early ’80s.

The Art of the Knopfler Lick

Even without lengthy solos, Knopfler’s signature style shone through. His genius lies in crafting unique, memorable guitar lines that perfectly complement the song. Much like the intricate fills between verses in “Sultans of Swing,” Knopfler consistently delivered inventive melodic phrases after Dylan’s vocal lines during these 2011 and 2012 shows. For instance, during a performance of “Things Have Changed” in Washington D.C. on November 20, 2012, his brief lick following the line “falling in love with the first woman I meet” exemplifies this perfectly – a short, tasteful phrase adding colour and depth, seemingly effortless yet intricate. These moments, scattered throughout the performances, were classic Knopfler, adding significant texture to the arrangements.

Memorable Moments and Rare Occurrences

Specific performances highlight the unique flavour Knopfler brought. The introduction to “Man in the Long Black Coat” (Hamburg, October 31, 2011) showcases his ability to paint melodic shades within the band’s existing framework. Even his shorter solos were impactful, always prioritizing melody. Examples include the brief, tasteful solos in “John Brown” (Mannheim, October 25, 2011) and a poignant solo in “Tryin’ to Get to Heaven” (London, November 20, 2011), which managed to shine despite competing with Dylan’s sometimes quirky organ sounds.

Across the two years and dozens of shared performances, Knopfler stepped up to the microphone only once. This occurred during the final song on the last night of their 2011 European tour in London. The song choice was “Forever Young,” a standard perhaps, but the execution was heartfelt. Dylan sang the first verse, Knopfler took the second (adding a solo), and they joined together for the third. Complemented by guitar and harmonica interplay, it stands as a unique and moving moment in the Dylan Knopfler live history, a fitting capstone to their European run together.

The full list of distinct songs Mark Knopfler performed live with Bob Dylan across the 2011 and 2012 tours includes:

• “Beyond Here Lies Nothin'”
• “Blind Willie McTell”
• “Boots of Spanish Leather”
• “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright”
• “Forever Young”
• “Girl From the North Country”
• “It Ain’t Me, Babe”
• “It’s All Over Now Baby Blue”
• “John Brown”
• “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat”
• “The Levee’s Gonna Break”
• “Man in the Long Black Coat”
• “Million Miles”
• “Mississippi”
• “Rollin’ and Tumblin'”
• “Shooting Star”
• “Summer Days”
• “Tangled Up in Blue”
• “Things Have Changed”
• “To Ramona”
• “Tryin’ to Get to Heaven”

Conclusion

The live collaboration between Bob Dylan and Mark Knopfler in 2011 and 2012 represents a fascinating, if sometimes overlooked, chapter in both artists’ careers. While not defined by the stadium-rock solos some might associate with Knopfler, his contributions were significant, characterized by subtle, melodic guitar work that enriched Dylan’s performances. Playing a diverse range of 21 songs together, the Dylan Knopfler partnership showcased a unique musical synergy, pushing Dylan on his own instrument and resulting in numerous memorable moments for fans fortunate enough to witness these joint appearances. These concerts remain a testament to the compelling chemistry between two legendary musicians.