This concert review is way off the mark.........

[Three over Four]

I've known for some time that the press is unbelievably lame, but the last few months have me convinced that most of them are also on crack.

[Rusty James]

[quote="Three over Four"]I've known for some time that the press is unbelievably lame, but the last few months have me convinced that most of them are also on crack.[/quote]

Is there such a term as "Media-Crack-Whores"?:x

[Three over Four]

[quote]Is there such a term as "Media-Crack-Whores"?[/quote]

Well, there sure is now!

[policefan]

Let's get those "Media-Crack-Whores"

[Grant]

I'm the only one here who agrees with him. If you want adult contemporary then the Police 2007 are for you! Low tempo versions of old rockers! Silly grins and the same jokes night after night! Arbitrary key changes! It's a different band with the same members. I can't think of anything that improved from 25 years ago, anything I liked better. not a thing. It was great to see the guys again, but Harrington is right on.

[jeffdaweasel]

I think the second review (the Chronicle/SFGate one) is a little more on target than the first review in this thread. Not that I agree with him; I think he's not factoring that the Police have NEVER been a, "Wheee, we're having a great time, golly gee this is so much fun!" type of band onstage. I mean, look at nearly any video when they toured large venues for "Zenyatta" through "Synchronicity". If anything, the band seems more relaxed and at ease with each other now than then.

Again, it's knowing the history, and not painting the past with rose coloring, that allows one to really dig this tour. I enjoyed the hell out seeing them again. Sorry to say some of the critics just aren't getting it.

[Wait and See]

I chose my screen name primarily because of the issues raised in the second review. It's not about Stewart or Andy, it's all about Sting. It's probably not overly cynical to suspect that his initial motivation in getting the Police back together had more than a little to do with his solo career experiencing an ebb. He has almost said as much himself in some of the interviews--"I thought, what could I do that would surprise everybody?".

Sting has made himself into a pop artist over the years, in the mold of Madonna or Michael Jackson--meaning that his music has been directly related to the sale of an image, if not subordinate to it. He basically carved himself out a niche as a New Age Julio Iglesias, mining the worshipful adoration, and pocketbooks, of a mostly female fan base. In the process he raked in a bunch of cash, and he now lives in Italy in the style of some kind of medieval Lord. He may not have had the same widespread popularity he had with the Police, but he had a reliable fan base and cash flow that he knew would follow him down whatever narrow path he decided to try--and that became part of his schtick--the self-absorbed, high-minded artist "seeking his muse".

So for all of us who didn't find much of interest in Sting™ as a solo artist, the question is...will he cut the crap and get back to being a rock musician, or will he just use this as another opportunity to fuel his personal marketing machine?

To be fair, I think there has been more of the former than expected. I think the response they got forced him to think, "hey, maybe this Police thing wasn't so shabby after all". Even so, I think there is still a question of whether he's willing to accept a situation where it's not all about him. Musically, he's obviously forgotten how to play for an audience that isn't "enthralled by his personal magnetism". What causes some women to swoon over his "sensitivity" or "sensuality", causes a guy like myself to roll my eyes and yawn.

I think there has been some progress, but it's been slow and painful. I think he has trouble accepting Andy and Stewart's sense of direction, and I think he's been hanging on to the "mellow sensitive crooner" act in ways that don't work in a rock band. What argues in favor of him being unwilling to adjust is the fact that he's filthy rich and doesn't really need to sell another record or concert ticket for the rest of his life. That part of the motivation to please an audience is gone. The only thing that argues on the opposite side is to get out there and live a little. Get your head out of your own navel, let go of some of your egotism and have some fun, while making some good music. Sitting around in seclusion being waited on hand and foot and occasionally going out to some A-list party with a bunch of elite snobs is not living...and you only live once...and your time is limited.

[Philip]

you have to admit the guy is right in many points. Going to the Police to see the police, is not interesting. It's morbid rather.

I hope Stewart gives his best. He has enrgy.

Sting must stop relaxation for a while : Sting has to get stressed a bit.

Andy is very good for his role in the police (doing nice sounds once a while in each song) especially for his age (he is as old as my grand father).

Police has to go to next gear... show what you have under your motor hood.

PS - The Porsche is still a very good car... even after more than 50 years.

_

[Philip]

The author is writing :
“Copeland -- a vocal critic of this reunion tour -- produced some powerful moments on his mega-percussion kit, but seemed a bit lost in his own world.”

I feel the same by now. Don’t you ?

[Wait and See]

I think some of the characterization of Andy was unfair. He's always been business-like, and his playing has been pretty "spirited"--although maybe a bit sloppy at times.

>>>The author is writing :
“Copeland -- a vocal critic of this reunion tour -- produced some powerful moments on his mega-percussion kit, but seemed a bit lost in his own world.”

I feel the same by now. Don’t you ?<<<

Calling Stewart a "vocal critic of this reunion tour" is absurd. He's been exuberant over it. He made one perfectionist, self-critical post on here, and it was distorted. And he hasn't posted since, which sucks.

[Philip]

Ouups.. I wanted to focus on the rest of the sentence:

"Stewart (...) seemed a bit lost in his own world.”

What you think wait and see ?

_

[jeffdaweasel]

Hey Wait and See... maybe this has been covered already, but have you "waited and seen" yet?

I wasn't sure if you'd actually been to one of the shows yet, or are basing your trepidation on other factors.

[Philip]

Wait and see, you did an excellent post. We were arguing on another thread, but this time I’m 100 % with you.

I would have add that another reason was the money. I’m sure Sting still needs some… but you are right, it’s not permitted to speak about $$$.

By the way. Who are you? We still don’t know your real name.

[Wait and See]

>>>Hey Wait and See... maybe this has been covered already, but have you "waited and seen" yet? Smile

I wasn't sure if you'd actually been to one of the shows yet, or are basing your trepidation on other factors.<<<

I haven't been to a show, but thanks to the wonders of the internets...I have heard several of them in their entirety, and seen numerous videos on YouTube.

My personal opinion is not as negative as some of the reviews have been. I think a lot of what they're doing is basically good, but I also recognize how it will come across to a wider audience, which is why I've made some constructive criticisms.

As I've said before...I think if they played "Don't Stand" essentially as it is on the album, ramped "Next to You" and "Truth Hits" up to their original speed, and ditched "Murder By Numbers" in favor of something faster (say "Omegaman"?), the audience reaction would be very different.

I also think they could do without "Walking in Your Footsteps", even though they've improved it dramatically. "Sychronicity I" would go over a lot better. "Invisible Sun" could be left out in favor of something faster, too.

Any of these songs would be a good substitute for Murder, Footsteps, and Invisible Sun:

"Bring on the Night"
"Deathwish"
"No Time This Time"
"Man in a Suitcase"
"Hungry for You"
"Too Much Information"
"Demolition Man"
"Omegaman"
"Synchronicity I"

>>>Wait and see, you did an excellent post. We were arguing on another thread, but this time I’m 100 % with you.

I would have add that another reason was the money. I’m sure Sting still needs some… but you are right, it’s not permitted to speak about $$$.

By the way. Who are you? We still don’t know your real name.<<<

I don't like to give out personal info on the internet...

As for money, I think that's the least of the factors.

[jeffdaweasel]

>>>I haven't been to a show, but thanks to the wonders of the internets...I have heard several of them in their entirety, and seen numerous videos on YouTube.<<<

If I only had what I'd seen on YouTube and so on, I might be quick to form a baseless opinion as well. The energy level in Seattle on 6/6/07 was astounding. Nothing that I'd seen previous to that did it justice. It was by far a better show than the 1983 Synchronicity concert, IMHO.

>>>My personal opinion is not as negative as some of the reviews have been. I think a lot of what they're doing is basically good, but I also recognize how it will come across to a wider audience, which is why I've made some constructive criticisms.<<<

Of course. Keep in mind that "constructive criticism" is meant to be constructive to the person or entity you're addressing with the comments. I have doubts that either a) Stewart rabidly looks at this forum to make sure that he's living up to everyone's expectations, or b) gives a crap.

That makes the comments a little less constructive, as I'm sure you understand. And of course, you can say anything you want... it's a free country, or at least a free Internet.

>>>As I've said before...I think if they played "Don't Stand" essentially as it is on the album, ramped "Next to You" and "Truth Hits" up to their original speed, and ditched "Murder By Numbers" in favor of something faster (say "Omegaman"?), the audience reaction would be very different.<<<

The audience reaction at the eshow I saw was 17,000 people on their feet the entire time, jumping around and very enthusiastically singing along with the band. I can't imagine it could get better than that.

Again, I respect everything you've said, and I believe I understand your reasons for being sceptical. What show are you planning on seeing? I'll be very interested in your response after you've been there in person.