STEWART COPELAND

I know, everybody is crazy about this Police re-formation. Of course it would be great fun. But, beyond that, for me there is much more that is still possible. Regardless of if you call it ‘Police’ or ‘Sting’, I wanted to ask you a simple question I was always thinking about:

“ Don’t you think Andy S and Stewart C could have done a bit more of the excellent songs on the 2 first solo albums by sting? “

Thanks

[quote="Philip"]I know, everybody is crazy about this Police re-formation. Of course it would be great fun. But, beyond that, for me there is much more that is still possible. Regardless of if you call it ‘Police’ or ‘Sting’, I wanted to ask you a simple question I was always thinking about:

“ Don’t you think Andy S and Stewart C could have done a bit more of the excellent songs on the 2 first solo albums by sting? “

Thanks[/quote]

Hello Phillip, hi everybody. A very interesting question. On the Stewart Copeland special on ARTE, Stew said he regrets, that he didn't have the chance to add his part to the songs Sting did after the Police, or to "fuck em up", as he put it in his unique way.

I am sure the Sting songs would have been at least very different, with Stewart an Andy playing on them. And maybe some of them would not have happened at all. When I listen to songs like "shadows in the rain" in Sings jazz-version I'm very glad, that there is the Zenyatta version and when I listen to a song like "la belle dame sans regret"... pardon me for my hard judgement, but I guess the "music-universe" would not have lost a lot, if someone like Stewart had vetoed on that one. On the other hand I like the Sting versions of "I burn for you" or "low life" a lot, which are totally diferent from the (also great) Police versions. A matter of taste.

All in all I can well imagine that Stings (mostly excellent) songs would have been even more ecxellent with Stew and Andy playing on them. They'd probably have a more unstable (and faster) timing but they might be more interesting as well.
I think think the Police songs (even the ones on Stingchronicity) sound more organic, and you can "hear" the characters who play the songs. To me this is what really got lost when Sting went solo (and that's probably just what he wanted). I think the guys on Stings records are some of the finest PLAYERS in the world, but to me Stew and Andy are some of the finest MUSICIANS around and that they are both unique (listen to Peter Gabriels "Red Rain" and you instantly know, it's Stewart playing) When you compare Sting with the Police you have the best proof, that it's not the perfect execution of an idea, but the idea itself, what makes a song great. Stew might not be able to play what Vinnie does on for example "Seven Days" (and maybe he is) but he'd possibly have had a different approach to the song, which might have been even more exciting. Who knows. Don't get me wrong, I admire Omar, Manu and Vinnie as well, but my number one has always been (surprise, surprise) Stewart. After all this is just how I see it and it's absolutely OK if someone else totally disagrees with me.

Anyway IF the reunion really happens (knock on wood), maybe we get the chance to hear even some Sting Songs. Then we could get a better idea of how the songs could have been if the Police where involved in the writing process.

I'd also be interested about how "slow" the police would be in 2007, because Stewart said in a recent interview, that he has now a different attitude towards timing and speed. To me that sounds, like he moved a bit more into Stings direction, but that is OK for me: sacrifices must be made.
But do you remember that shift from studio-version to live version of "when the world is going down..." on the "Police around the world"-video. I always thought 'Wow, what an incredible drive they have now!'. Would be cool, if they still had some of this drive IF they really came back. But I'm sure they would.

I don't want to talk too much about the reunion thingy until we know where we are. But your post fits to a thought I had which might be interesting.

THE POLICE reform and don't play a single POLICE song!

a) they only do the songs from the 50s (remember they played with the idea of recording an oldies album back in 1982!)

b) they only play Sting songs, but police-ified (ok, Stewart and Andy songs, too)

Dietmar

"Fortress Around Your Heart" would be a great police-ified Sting song for example !

[quote]“ Don’t you think Andy S and Stewart C could have done a bit more of the excellent songs on the 2 first solo albums by sting? “[/quote]

Nahhhh, I think is not a good idea. Is like saying that how sounds 'Don't Box Me In in Sting's voice...For me at that time our lovely trio made music individually, it doesn't matter if their works sounds with a little bit Police's sounds, but each of it in his own style...

I've been thinking the same two things all week too Dietmar!




It's all good!

The important thing is to see them together once again,whatever they play.

maybe Poker ?

[quote]THE POLICE reform and don't play a single POLICE song!

a) they only do the songs from the 50s (remember they played with the idea of recording an oldies album back in 1982!) [/quote]
No no no, I have to see them play POLICE songs, otherwise it will ruin it!

And I don't know any 50's songs, would make it even weirder.

[quote]The important thing is to see them together once again,whatever they play.[/quote]
No one ever really means that.

I rather The Police have to play only The Police's music...

thanks for answering.

Olivier,
I had this song in particular (fortress...) in mind when I wrote this. Somehow, I feel like the songs are updated compared to the Police numbers, which are more out of date (my personal opinion). I know, in Europe and America, there is a different approach of what is in and what is out, but this is how I feel about it.

Dietmar,
You have a fantastic idea. I doubt they wouldn”t play Message and Roxanne, but basing the main part of the spectacle on Sting’s or 50’s songs, that would just be a fantastic:
“ A Comeback without being one ”. (the 3 of them, but not exactly what we used to call “police”). Good idea.

Mrs and Georgy,
It would be cool, but let me explain :
Each police song was better in the beginning, whet it was fresh. By playing it 200 times a year they have slightly lost something. It’s like Sting denied the compromises he had first done. The paroxysm of it was when Sting did the Brocken Music Tour (very smooth versions of the songs). It’s like the songs came out from the washing machine.
I sink Sting is clearly the leader and the head character of the complete story. But he is also responsible for what is happening.
How many time did Andy and Stewart played Roxanne? 1000? 1500? how many time did sting played Roxanne? 4000? 5000? I don’t thing at all there is a possible comparison of how Andy/Stewart have nostalgia of the Police material, and how Sting is suitable for it.

There is not a chance that the police early material sounds like in the 80’s. So if they play only the known police songs, it will ruin something. Whereas, if they work on different material, it will bring something.
_

I never got to see them perform, I missed out on it. They can't just blow off their songs, and do stuff I've never heard. That's just wrong.

I always thought Fortress Around Your Heart was kind of "The Police - Light" myself. My guess is and always has been that this was one song in particular written during the Police days and intended for a band recording. Even the drummer seems like "Copeland light". Almost as if someone took Stewart's intensity and personality away and then had him play the song. (No offense to the drummer, I just always thought it sounded like a bland Stewart impression.)

it would be nice to hear Sting's songs with a Police touch ... but the first albums were very good by themselves , and it was Sting carreer; Rverybody thought at the time he would come back with the band, even himself. But Stewart's injury and fate ... the rest is history.
So a tour will be nice, but imagine a new recording with all they can NOW bring musically !!
One can keep on dreaming !!
But i'll sign for a tour.

I would think they could take a cue from the Eagles' reunion and play a majority of Police material, but also throw in a few of Sting's solo pieces to placate his ego (like the Eagles did with Don Henley) . I dont think Stewart and Andy would have a need to play much of their solo material, with Andy's being primarily jazz and Stewart's being primarily soundtrack material, I dont think the audience would know much of it, nor would it fit in too well with the Jamboree of Hits that their Police material would be.

Just my $0.02