New changes in arrangement as they go:

[New Zealand Promoter]

Anyone notice any changes from the standard 2007 compositions lately?

In reference to Dallas, June 26 - some observations:

'Don't Stand' - what's going on here? Seems Sting is singing in higher vocal register, but kind of forgot where he was a few times. Bit of a mess.... but a different take on the vocals, anyway.

'Truth Hits' - some higher notes being hit in the choruses, but it's still quite slow.

'Every Little Thing' - they've thankfully dropped the calypso vibe in the chorus, going for the full snare on 2 and 4 again. Phew. Some struggles from Sting with the vocals, though.

Anyone who needs to know where to get these shows, one word: Dime. Please don't turn this thread into a 'where can I get these shows?' discussion... it's been covered elsewhere.....

[phaty]

How about a "Oh for fuck sake" discussion ... ?

You really take the fun out of being a Police fan ... go and tape a boar fucking in the woods and see if he hits some higher notes sometimes ... !

Could someone please turn off the Internet for five month?

[New Zealand Promoter]

er.... by bothering to click into, read and reply to my post, you've left your complaint devoid of any credibility. or is somone holding a gun to your head, demanding that you participate in these discussions which you say you dislike so much? You sound like a total fool. Stick to your guns, walk your talk and stop letting your mouth write cheques your body can't cash. if you don't like the topic, don't follow it and don't participate in it, you silly hypocrite! Further bitchy comments from you will simply help reinforce the notion that you are hanging for an argument and are incapable of behaving in a sensible, logical, community-oriented manner. You got more beef? Feed it to your dog, Linus.

Ahem. Let's start all over again, before we have yet another ignorance and recalcitrant stupidity-based argument stinking up this thread:

Anyone notice any changes from the standard 2007 compositions lately?

In reference to Dallas, June 26 - some observations:

'Don't Stand' - what's going on here? Seems Sting is singing in higher vocal register, but kind of forgot where he was a few times. Bit of a mess.... but a different take on the vocals, anyway.

'Truth Hits' - some higher notes being hit in the choruses, but it's still quite slow.

'Every Little Thing' - they've thankfully dropped the calypso vibe in the chorus, going for the full snare on 2 and 4 again. Phew. Some struggles from Sting with the vocals, though.

Anyone who needs to know where to get these shows, one word: Dime. Please don't turn this thread into a 'where can I get these shows?' discussion... it's been covered elsewhere.....

[Divemistress of the Dark]

My absolute favorite rearrangement is Truth Hits. Just dunno why folks have trouble with that one.

I will grant you that I'm not crazy about the key change for the last chorus of Don't Stand, tho. I don't think it ruins the song, it just doesn't work so well for me.

[DirtyMartini]

[quote="phaty"]How about a "Oh for fuck sake" discussion ... ?[/quote]

Down, phaty. They don't all have to be "oh for fuck sake" discussions.


I honestly miss the calypso thing in "Magic." I thought it worked great. I thought it had a brightness that was perfect for the song.

As "Don't Stand" goes, there are three options that I can think of:

* They're trying to rework it, and Sting got confused. (Too many changes too quickly can be hard to sort out.)

* Sting had a moment where he couldn't decide if he should go with what he wants or what the audience wants.

* Sting fucked up.

I'm guessing a bit from each somehow. "Don't Stand" is the one song that people consistently bitch about -- the question remains how much will be compromised for the audience and how much will be stuck to for personal preference/cred/integrity/principle/whatever. Judging from the performances, up until now Sting seemed to be sticking to the changes come hell or high water; but that hold seems to be loosening up a bit.

(Am I the only one who thinks it's really cool to be able to "watch" the struggle/evolution as it unfolds?)

[New Zealand Promoter]

oh, that aspect is great. i am enjoying how 'roxanne' evolves (despite my sadness that they slow right down again for the click / samples at the end).

i hope there is more evolution, change etc. it's good to see that more is unfolding.

[Kalypso]

One hopes that these new arrangements give way to new ideas and new...songs? Is that too much to hope?
I know - no expectations. I don't want SC and AS having to kiss GS's ass permanently (Stewart, Rolling Stone article).

[Divemistress of the Dark]

I think Sting just got lost. He's really getting into looking out into the crowd, and doing a terrific job mostly, but it's a big job trying to entertain all those people, sing and play the bass.

I hope they don't screw with "Bed's". It's really working, I think.

I've been enjoying ELTSDIM, mostly because I keep picturing Stewart dancing on the mixing board and the guys playing in the back of the truck....man. It just gives me the Big Stupid Grin every time.

[New Zealand Promoter]

maybe some other classics will enter the set after the mtv unplugged gig...?

[elayblooze]

I hope more will follow, cuz Stewart, Sting and Andy get together and for whatever the reason- leave us screamin and clamoring for more- If they played 3 hours with all original arrangements- we wouldn't be Sated!

All I gotta say is my theory is the trio goes in with a plan- and to some degree they follow it, but at some points on this upward curve I think the emotions and feelings and energy and love from the throngs of masses of fan-atics just alters the state of the incredible experiences these concerts have become.
People like Stewart, who've jammed in Oysterhead, or maybe Andy's jazz experiences, allow them to facilely respond and more than anything they're performance just lifts up
(Touring is hard, but if you got enough support, and the Fans really show up- it feeds the artist 2)

Of course, this is not to downgrade Sting, which Stew has said he would never allow, and I would never do, only to say that being the composer of the bulk of these songs Sting comes at it with a slightly different angle- his own personal take on the piece. However, he has been fabulous and I notice that he is really playin' hard, has jazz experience himself, and is just as incredibly talented as the other two- I'm glad to see him loosening the reins a bit on arrangements, which get driven by the beats(Stewart Baby!)

In sum, what I've realized and I hope all 3 of these gents are seeing too from their side of the lens, is that it is INCREDIBLE on any level to see such diverse great musicians and artists come together and be able to harmonize and create such indelible material. It's the thing that most of us loved most about the Police the first time, when hearing their stuff on the radio and amongst all the other 'modern' rock of the day was truly an experience to remember.

But most importantly now, we all missed you because we loved and respected your music soooo much, like I'm sure you did 2- so I hope you can feel the love from old friends-

and thanks again!

[NoOneYouKnow]

Sting isn't lost at all in that song.

[Divemistress of the Dark]

You don't think? I was in the 12th or so row and had a pretty good view of his Sting's face at the time. I'd be interested to hear what gives you a different opinion about it.

I gotta say, I've got "Bed's" on the brain tonight. Damn, Sting's hitting those notes. He's been doing a great job on that tune.

[New Zealand Promoter]

[quote="NoOneYouKnow"]Sting isn't lost at all in that song.[/quote]

have a quick read of my post again - i referred to the performance on June 26. he did mess up a bit during that performance, and some suggested reasons for this have been suggested above.... but my point was not really about that. there are bound to be screw ups here and there. i was really just commenting on the latest changes to the way they are playing certain tracks.

[BinaryXtreme]

[quote="Divemistress of the Dark"]My absolute favorite rearrangement is Truth Hits. Just dunno why folks have trouble with that one.

I will grant you that I'm not crazy about the key change for the last chorus of Don't Stand, tho. I don't think it ruins the song, it just doesn't work so well for me.[/quote]

I love Truth Hits too and Invisible Sun was just amazing to me.