The Police "can't crack" their *own song*?

[New Zealand Promoter]

let's go back the first point, then:
stewart has suggested the Police can't 'crack' this one. ie they can't work out how to play it and have it sound great.
i think the boys are more than capable of getting it right.
they are doing 'so lonely', right? how high were the vox in that one originally?

so indulge me - do you think stewart is wrong, or do you concede that three musicians as skilled as S, A and S, just can't cut it with one of their own songs? eg come up with *a* way to play it that works? which is still true to the nature of the song....?

[Kalypso]

The most likely explanation is that they don't want, or like to, do it the same old way. They just disagree. They have done much better songs anyway.
They should drop it off, like most bands do. The only songs they cannot drop off are Roxanne and MIAB or they will cause a riot and a request for refunds.

[thedaner]

I think that Sting takes keys lower these days just because he has to sing them repeatedly, night after night, and The Police are doing two and three night stretches. I don't think DSSCTM is out of Sting's range if he did it as a one-off, but over the course of several nights, it might be taxing.

The fact that he can still do "Roxanne" after 30 years proves that he still has a high range. In the middle jam section when he's doing the "Roxanne-oh's" for the crowd sing-along he's getting up there for sure. But, take a song like "Don't Stand" and singing every verse in the upper register night after night is a different story.

I find it interesting that when he takes a song down people instantly think he's lost his vocal range. When The Police were in the Ghost heyday they immediately took "Spirits" down, and I'm sure it was because a) he didn't have the vocal double like on the recording and b) that would be hard to do night after night in that key. But, 4 years later he does "Set Them Free" and nails very high notes in the bridge, then tours with that song. I noticed some rough edges in Dallas, but that could've been phlegm or just light wear from the many gigs beforehand. Overall, he was singing his ass off. Granted, he probably can't do "Fall Out" like the original recording or sing "I Shall Be Released" like he used to, but I wouldn't point the finger at Loss of Vocal Range everytime.

[Omaha_Perez]

My problem with the new version is Sting's vocal on the chorus. The song sounded more or less like the original in the verse and then he sang the chorus like the '86 version - boring!

I must admit though... over the 3 shows I've seen the two songs I had problems with, DSCTM and Truth Hits Everybody, seemed improved each time. (The 2nd show, Staples Center, Stewart seemed to try to kick it into gear during the chorus - I was expecting Sting to glare at him, but no.)

[jeffdaweasel]

Maybe they just weren't digging it.

I hate playing shit that's not fun to play, or isn't sounding right for whatever reason. They really should be enjoying themselves. I think we all (concert goers, I mean) benefit when they do.

[jedsoon]

I agree that some songs don't work that well live, and might still prove difficult to tinker with and yet still nail it. Secret Journey, IMO, is another such tune and is among my favorite mood pieces, but the live rendition i heard of it just simply didn't work and i'm not surprised it was rarely performed. If the band think Don't Stand falls into the same category, well, i'm hardly in a space to disagree!

On Sting's voice, performing in that high register has been difficult for him since the 70s. There was a show around 79 or 80 where they pulled the plug before they played Roxanne, simply to save Sting's voice.

[sockii]

As far as replacement songs go, count me in as still hoping for "One World" one of these nights...

[thedaner]

[quote="jedsoon"]On Sting's voice, performing in that high register has been difficult for him since the 70s. There was a show around 79 or 80 where they pulled the plug before they played Roxanne, simply to save Sting's voice.[/quote]

Yeah, I remember that--he mentioned it in the Melbourne broadcast (the radio show that's been voted to be re-aired).

I think Sting blew his voice out a lot back then but has since improved his technique.

[Divemistress of the Dark]

For my money, whatever they're doing with "Bed's" they should do with "DSSCTM". Bed's is groovy as hell and just as edgy as the original.

I think they're overthinking "DSSCTM" because it's one of The Hits and they think the audience expects to hear a version approximating the song on the radio. Or one of them does, anyway.

I'd love to hear S & A do a bunch of Police songs in some dive in a back alley, and play everything all ass-backwards and not care much about the arrangement. I'm really loving the live show, but even I have to admit it does lack spontaneity in a certain sense (although it's there in another sense, namely that the solos from Andy and Stewart vary every night).

[New Zealand Promoter]

thedaner, jeff, i dig your last comments here. good food for thought.

[animal]

How about a medley!

[New Zealand Promoter]

[quote="animal"]How about a medley!

[/quote]

hahahaahha! not sure if yr 'aving a laugh (is he 'aving a laugh?) ....
gawwwd, how vegas would that be? even a band as daggy as genesis comes off bad with medleys. they don't satisfy anyone....

[animal]

[Jennythenipper]

[quote="sockii"]I wonder if it's a vocal-range issue?

I mean, one of the key selling points to me of the original version was Sting's high pitched opening ("Young teacher...") over that dark, brooding undercurrent. If he can't hit those notes any longer, maybe he thinks the whole thing needs to be changed up?

I don't know, just random lunch-hour pondering. And I agree 100% that they should be doing Stewart's Deranged version of the song if they have to revamp it, because that version kicks major ass.[/quote]

Yes, the derangements! Is there somewhere you can get the derrangements on a CD?

[BongoBoy]

I think it was mentioned in the Rolling Stone interview.

If Sting is not happy...the band cannot be happy.

If you have ever played in a band...whether you like it or not it is usually true. If the singer is good...then for the good of the band you kinda HAVE to entertain they're idea's to a point. The boys are older now and when Sting needs to change a key or groove to get "comfy" with the song then they will probably try it. It's the kinda thing that breaks a lot of bands up because of the "my idea", kinda vibe.

Could you imagine Sting trying to play along with a format he doesn't like? Nope. He has earned a certain place in the world and he uses it. He has to like it or else it will suck. That doesn't mean they all work...it just means Stingo is at the very least into it.

...ever tried to sing another dudes song in his arrangement? It drives you nuts because you just naturally do things...then it's whoops...back on track.

I don't always like it but I understand what they are trying to do.

I am very glad I get to see them in July and then again in November...I have a feeling at the end of the tour...it's a gonna be sweet !

I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. The way they do "Message" right now really works for me.

SpecA! - do you agree that that in Message it's awesome? - the way Copeland comes into the first verse full out and solid. I think it freakin rocks!!!

Cheers.