Great to see all three play together again! Stewart's rhythmic accuracy and stamina to play at 110% energy level for the entire performance was amazing. Loved the new arrangements. All around great evening....we had a blast!
Well done!
Well Done in Oakland!
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Well Done in Oakland!
by shpion on 15 Jun 2007 17:07
- shpion
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 14 Jun 2007 21:06
- Location: Sonoma County, CA
by DirtyMartini on 20 Jun 2007 20:48
[Long post with critiques alert. All those not interested, look away!]
Welcome, shpion!
There are way too many Oakland threads out there, so rather than start a new one, I hope you don't mind if I piggyback on yours.
I'm afraid I don't have an extensive song-by-song for you like our lovely SuperCat -- I didn't bring the camera or a notebook because I wanted to just hang with an old friend for the night -- but I'll give you what I can remember:
My trip to California last week was very nice. (Thanks to the many well wishers.) I was visiting old friends and their 16-month-old. (Shout out to the coolest baby with the biggest vocabulary (and ASL signs) in the world. I only wish I had had the thought to teach him how to say "Stewart.") Most of my week centered around the baby's schedule, so it was a lot of swimming and playing and eating and cleaning up after the eating and swimming some more and changing diapers and cleaning up more food and creepy kids shows (*shiver*) and yet more swimming . . . .
BUT I did hijack Mom for a trip to the Oakland show. We were already running late, but thanks to traffic and the crowds in the stadium, we pretty much missed all but 10 minutes of The Fratellis. Took over an hour to get off the highway ramp and into the stadium lot (a distance of perhaps three blocks). But thanks to my friend's handicap tag, at least we did get to park in a close spot in the main lot (even though the handicap spots were already full).
[begin Coliseum-hating]
Gina, I sent your love to the stratoseats, but I can officially say that I despise Oakland Coliseum. The hallways are WAY too small for the crowds of people, and the sound system (at least from first-tier, stage right) was really pretty sucky. I had forgotten earplugs at the house, so I spent those 10 minutes of The Fratellis with my fingers in my ears to clear up the sound.
Luckily the sound improved for The Police, but it still wasn't wonderful. We could hear the guitar and the drums well and somewhat of the bass, but the vocals were kind of hashed. Of the various times that Sting spoke directly to the audience, the only words that I was able to understand all night were "Bay Area." Otherwise, it was just too garbled.
[/end hating]
Like any show, I was at the mercy of the crowd around me. I'm glad to be hearing the band in a variety of venues, but this reminded me that I do prefer arenas. Not only because the sound is more direct and the space more intimate but because of the tenor of the crowd. I'm not a big fan of people to begin with, but the beer-spilling stadium crowds are just not my style. My area was a mix of dancers and sitters, so I guess it could have been worse, and there were quite a few singers in my area, so that was cool.
After being close in YVR, I guess I'm just spoiled.
My friend had gone on a mission for cotton candy during The Fratellis, but because of the ridiculous crowds, she didn't actually return until halfway through "Get Up, Stand Up." (I was worried she'd miss the opening!)
When "MIAB" kicked in (ROAR), I noticed that it had definitely picked up speed from Vancouver. Most of the tempos throughout the night were faster, especially toward the ends of songs. You could definitely feel that Stewart was pushing the tempos.
[begin Stepford wife-hating]
After "MIAB" my friend and I (and the rest of the crowd) screamed. At which point the uptight Stepford wife next to us covered her ear and rolled her eyes at us. I laughed. Welcome to a concert, honey.
From then on, for the rest of the evening, I was sure to direct every blood-curdling banshee cry in her direction. Anyone who has heard me scream can verify that, well, I sure do know how to project and sustain. (Voice lessons aren't just good for toking.)
Happily, the long-haired, bearded dancing fool in front of us (who spent a good amount of the night making out with his girlfriend) had a falsetto scream that was perfectly pitched to ours. Hilarious.
[/end hating]
The audience went pretty ballistic for "Synch II" and rightly so. The verses for "Don't Stand" more closely resembled the original, which I liked, but the chorus is still rather 86-ish, which does bring the excitement down a bit. "When the World" rocked, and I was tickled at how crazy the audience went for "Walking on the Moon." Throughout the night, Sting's vocals were clear, Andy's work was good although hit or miss at times, and Stewart was his usual amazing self.
I remember that the transition into/beginning of "Magic" totally fell apart. The guitar was funky, Sting screwed up the opening melody -- even I didn't recognize what song it was until the chorus. Once we had all gotten caught up in the chorus, the audience really got into it -- I heard many folks in my section digging the calypso thing -- but the opening was a bit of a mess.
One thing I did notice was that Sting seemed to get less patient as the night went along. He seemed pretty happy at the beginning but at times got a bit pissy. Like he tried to start a clap-along for the beginning of "Bed's Too Big" -- which totally failed. But it failed for good reason: #1, the average audience cannot follow a "Bed's" tempo, and #2, there was just too much sound bounce in the space. At times the echo was kind of maddening. More often than not, I could see Stewart make a hit before I could actually hear it. I had decent seats, but even for a small stadium, it's a pretty big space.
(Even though I wouldn't have been able to understand the words at the time anyway, I do wish Stewart, Andy, and Sting would talk to each other a bit more. Some banter would really set up a looser, more playful vibe, and Sting seemed to need some loosening up that night.)
I had been looking forward to "Footsteps" all night and had just turned to my friend and said, "You're going to love this," when a beer-soaked moron came pushing through the row. Nothing extreme like GSC's Vancouver incident, but enough to screw up the beginning of the song. Worse (and frustratingly) the sound from the percussion rack where I was just didn't come through very well. It kicked in great when Stewart was back at the kit and sounded great, but I couldn't hear a lot of the super fab perc stuff that I love. (Grr.)
There were some rocking moments throughout, such as "CSLY" (with two fun go-rounds of "RdB") and "So Lonely" -- which was noticeably faster at the end than at the beginning. (Assuming my memory isn't conflating songs) That was the song where I found Stewart's pushing the tempo was most evident -- you could feel the song moving faster and faster, as if SC were hell-bent on forcing everyone else to catch up. Loved it.
Drum-wise, Stewart delivered, and the crowd acknowledged it. Throughout the night, there were some single snare shots that cracked through so hard that it made people in my section jump. Fucking awesome. My friend -- who had not really known much about Stewart and was regaled with the whole Flag story -- after the show very excitedly mentioned how she kept finding herself drawn to watching the drummer. She was amazed.
Also quite a few interesting Andy solo moments. His noodlings were of varying success, but I do remember him hitting on some beautiful moments.
Although Oakland's "Roxanne" wasn't quite the jammy excitement of the Seattle rendition, the band was definitely experimenting and at times it really hit. I think the one problem, though, is that the free-floating of the "Roxanne" bridge gets constrained because the band then has to slow down to get back into the click of the chorus. After the lovely flights of fancy -- in which the tempo varies and picks up -- the song suddenly feels heavy when forced to slow back down again.
It's cool that the "it's my soul up there"s were sung at Roo. I couldn't hear them at all in Oakland, but I could SEE Stewart singing them and thought it was really cool that he was singing them to himself.
"EBYT" was, of course, a crowd-pleaser. My friend was in awe at it, in fact -- absolutely loved it. But Sting must not have been pleased by the end of the night. He gave a "Thank you. Good night" and was taking off his guitar and walking offstage before the last chord had been struck. Uncool. So it wasn't much of a surprise that "Next to You" was good, but not great. They didn't do the reprise thing at the end (ending, then doing the speed-metal version) but instead just ramped up the speed at the end and finished. Bows, and Sting booked it.
No telling what bug was up Stingo's ass, but Stewart did try to save it. He lingered onstage being goofy and greeting the various parts of the crowd (point over here -- shout, point over there -- shout) for a minute or so.
All in all, I'm very happy that I went. I wouldn't call it their best performance -- things didn't quite gel all the way through -- but they were working hard, and it was a very good performance. I definitely prefer being up close and personal in an arena for the sound and the vibe, but it was still a great evening. My friend had a wonderful time, and considering Oakland will be her only Police show, I'm happy that she got a good show.
BTW, thanks to bret (elsewhere) for the youtube links!
Welcome, shpion!
There are way too many Oakland threads out there, so rather than start a new one, I hope you don't mind if I piggyback on yours.
I'm afraid I don't have an extensive song-by-song for you like our lovely SuperCat -- I didn't bring the camera or a notebook because I wanted to just hang with an old friend for the night -- but I'll give you what I can remember:
My trip to California last week was very nice. (Thanks to the many well wishers.) I was visiting old friends and their 16-month-old. (Shout out to the coolest baby with the biggest vocabulary (and ASL signs) in the world. I only wish I had had the thought to teach him how to say "Stewart.") Most of my week centered around the baby's schedule, so it was a lot of swimming and playing and eating and cleaning up after the eating and swimming some more and changing diapers and cleaning up more food and creepy kids shows (*shiver*) and yet more swimming . . . .
BUT I did hijack Mom for a trip to the Oakland show. We were already running late, but thanks to traffic and the crowds in the stadium, we pretty much missed all but 10 minutes of The Fratellis. Took over an hour to get off the highway ramp and into the stadium lot (a distance of perhaps three blocks). But thanks to my friend's handicap tag, at least we did get to park in a close spot in the main lot (even though the handicap spots were already full).
[begin Coliseum-hating]
Gina, I sent your love to the stratoseats, but I can officially say that I despise Oakland Coliseum. The hallways are WAY too small for the crowds of people, and the sound system (at least from first-tier, stage right) was really pretty sucky. I had forgotten earplugs at the house, so I spent those 10 minutes of The Fratellis with my fingers in my ears to clear up the sound.
Luckily the sound improved for The Police, but it still wasn't wonderful. We could hear the guitar and the drums well and somewhat of the bass, but the vocals were kind of hashed. Of the various times that Sting spoke directly to the audience, the only words that I was able to understand all night were "Bay Area." Otherwise, it was just too garbled.
[/end hating]
Like any show, I was at the mercy of the crowd around me. I'm glad to be hearing the band in a variety of venues, but this reminded me that I do prefer arenas. Not only because the sound is more direct and the space more intimate but because of the tenor of the crowd. I'm not a big fan of people to begin with, but the beer-spilling stadium crowds are just not my style. My area was a mix of dancers and sitters, so I guess it could have been worse, and there were quite a few singers in my area, so that was cool.
After being close in YVR, I guess I'm just spoiled.
My friend had gone on a mission for cotton candy during The Fratellis, but because of the ridiculous crowds, she didn't actually return until halfway through "Get Up, Stand Up." (I was worried she'd miss the opening!)
When "MIAB" kicked in (ROAR), I noticed that it had definitely picked up speed from Vancouver. Most of the tempos throughout the night were faster, especially toward the ends of songs. You could definitely feel that Stewart was pushing the tempos.
[begin Stepford wife-hating]
After "MIAB" my friend and I (and the rest of the crowd) screamed. At which point the uptight Stepford wife next to us covered her ear and rolled her eyes at us. I laughed. Welcome to a concert, honey.
From then on, for the rest of the evening, I was sure to direct every blood-curdling banshee cry in her direction. Anyone who has heard me scream can verify that, well, I sure do know how to project and sustain. (Voice lessons aren't just good for toking.)
Happily, the long-haired, bearded dancing fool in front of us (who spent a good amount of the night making out with his girlfriend) had a falsetto scream that was perfectly pitched to ours. Hilarious.
[/end hating]
The audience went pretty ballistic for "Synch II" and rightly so. The verses for "Don't Stand" more closely resembled the original, which I liked, but the chorus is still rather 86-ish, which does bring the excitement down a bit. "When the World" rocked, and I was tickled at how crazy the audience went for "Walking on the Moon." Throughout the night, Sting's vocals were clear, Andy's work was good although hit or miss at times, and Stewart was his usual amazing self.
I remember that the transition into/beginning of "Magic" totally fell apart. The guitar was funky, Sting screwed up the opening melody -- even I didn't recognize what song it was until the chorus. Once we had all gotten caught up in the chorus, the audience really got into it -- I heard many folks in my section digging the calypso thing -- but the opening was a bit of a mess.
One thing I did notice was that Sting seemed to get less patient as the night went along. He seemed pretty happy at the beginning but at times got a bit pissy. Like he tried to start a clap-along for the beginning of "Bed's Too Big" -- which totally failed. But it failed for good reason: #1, the average audience cannot follow a "Bed's" tempo, and #2, there was just too much sound bounce in the space. At times the echo was kind of maddening. More often than not, I could see Stewart make a hit before I could actually hear it. I had decent seats, but even for a small stadium, it's a pretty big space.
(Even though I wouldn't have been able to understand the words at the time anyway, I do wish Stewart, Andy, and Sting would talk to each other a bit more. Some banter would really set up a looser, more playful vibe, and Sting seemed to need some loosening up that night.)
I had been looking forward to "Footsteps" all night and had just turned to my friend and said, "You're going to love this," when a beer-soaked moron came pushing through the row. Nothing extreme like GSC's Vancouver incident, but enough to screw up the beginning of the song. Worse (and frustratingly) the sound from the percussion rack where I was just didn't come through very well. It kicked in great when Stewart was back at the kit and sounded great, but I couldn't hear a lot of the super fab perc stuff that I love. (Grr.)
There were some rocking moments throughout, such as "CSLY" (with two fun go-rounds of "RdB") and "So Lonely" -- which was noticeably faster at the end than at the beginning. (Assuming my memory isn't conflating songs) That was the song where I found Stewart's pushing the tempo was most evident -- you could feel the song moving faster and faster, as if SC were hell-bent on forcing everyone else to catch up. Loved it.
Drum-wise, Stewart delivered, and the crowd acknowledged it. Throughout the night, there were some single snare shots that cracked through so hard that it made people in my section jump. Fucking awesome. My friend -- who had not really known much about Stewart and was regaled with the whole Flag story -- after the show very excitedly mentioned how she kept finding herself drawn to watching the drummer. She was amazed.
Also quite a few interesting Andy solo moments. His noodlings were of varying success, but I do remember him hitting on some beautiful moments.
Although Oakland's "Roxanne" wasn't quite the jammy excitement of the Seattle rendition, the band was definitely experimenting and at times it really hit. I think the one problem, though, is that the free-floating of the "Roxanne" bridge gets constrained because the band then has to slow down to get back into the click of the chorus. After the lovely flights of fancy -- in which the tempo varies and picks up -- the song suddenly feels heavy when forced to slow back down again.
It's cool that the "it's my soul up there"s were sung at Roo. I couldn't hear them at all in Oakland, but I could SEE Stewart singing them and thought it was really cool that he was singing them to himself.
"EBYT" was, of course, a crowd-pleaser. My friend was in awe at it, in fact -- absolutely loved it. But Sting must not have been pleased by the end of the night. He gave a "Thank you. Good night" and was taking off his guitar and walking offstage before the last chord had been struck. Uncool. So it wasn't much of a surprise that "Next to You" was good, but not great. They didn't do the reprise thing at the end (ending, then doing the speed-metal version) but instead just ramped up the speed at the end and finished. Bows, and Sting booked it.
No telling what bug was up Stingo's ass, but Stewart did try to save it. He lingered onstage being goofy and greeting the various parts of the crowd (point over here -- shout, point over there -- shout) for a minute or so.
All in all, I'm very happy that I went. I wouldn't call it their best performance -- things didn't quite gel all the way through -- but they were working hard, and it was a very good performance. I definitely prefer being up close and personal in an arena for the sound and the vibe, but it was still a great evening. My friend had a wonderful time, and considering Oakland will be her only Police show, I'm happy that she got a good show.
BTW, thanks to bret (elsewhere) for the youtube links!
Dramatic highlights & a unique musical cosmos. Guaranteed.
-
DirtyMartini - Posts: 9622
- Joined: 03 Mar 2007 18:38
- Location: Around.
by Laz on 20 Jun 2007 21:37
[quote:]
Although Oakland's "Roxanne" wasn't quite the jammy excitement of the Seattle rendition, the band was definitely experimenting and at times it really hit. I think the one problem, though, is that the free-floating of the "Roxanne" bridge gets constrained because the band then has to slow down to get back into the click of the chorus. After the lovely flights of fancy -- in which the tempo varies and picks up -- the song suddenly feels heavy when forced to slow back down again.[/quote]
You know, I've really been thinking about that!! I really think they should do something arrangement-wise and ditch the sampled backing vocals at the end of Roxanne... I've noticed in the past few shows (including in person at the Vegas show) that they're building up in the middle of Roxanne and it sounds better and better and then they have to slow down to the original tempo of the backing vocal sample for the chorus out... it's really like they're handcuffed at the end of Roxanne (OK, bad pun I guess)... but I say figure something out and lose that backing vocal sample at the end of Roxanne so the song continues through the middle section and ends more smoothly.
Laz
Although Oakland's "Roxanne" wasn't quite the jammy excitement of the Seattle rendition, the band was definitely experimenting and at times it really hit. I think the one problem, though, is that the free-floating of the "Roxanne" bridge gets constrained because the band then has to slow down to get back into the click of the chorus. After the lovely flights of fancy -- in which the tempo varies and picks up -- the song suddenly feels heavy when forced to slow back down again.[/quote]
You know, I've really been thinking about that!! I really think they should do something arrangement-wise and ditch the sampled backing vocals at the end of Roxanne... I've noticed in the past few shows (including in person at the Vegas show) that they're building up in the middle of Roxanne and it sounds better and better and then they have to slow down to the original tempo of the backing vocal sample for the chorus out... it's really like they're handcuffed at the end of Roxanne (OK, bad pun I guess)... but I say figure something out and lose that backing vocal sample at the end of Roxanne so the song continues through the middle section and ends more smoothly.
Laz
-
Laz - Posts: 682
- Joined: 10 Feb 2007 02:39
- Location: Right smack in L.A., too far from Tokyo :(
by DirtyMartini on 20 Jun 2007 23:02
That's similar to what I was thinking, Laz, but I can imagine the band not wanting to lose the backing vocals for the ending. Perhaps there's a way to speed up the backing vocals?
I'm afraid I don't know how to fix it, but I agree that they seem cuffed. Which really stinks to see them cutting loose and getting all wild and free and alive and then <choke> the leash gets yanked.
I'm afraid I don't know how to fix it, but I agree that they seem cuffed. Which really stinks to see them cutting loose and getting all wild and free and alive and then <choke> the leash gets yanked.
Dramatic highlights & a unique musical cosmos. Guaranteed.
-
DirtyMartini - Posts: 9622
- Joined: 03 Mar 2007 18:38
- Location: Around.
by Rusty James on 20 Jun 2007 23:05
[quote="DirtyMartini"][Long post with critiques alert. All those not interested, look away!]
[begin Stepford wife-hating]
After "MIAB" my friend and I (and the rest of the crowd) screamed. At which point the uptight Stepford wife next to us covered her ear and rolled her eyes at us. I laughed. Welcome to a concert, honey.
From then on, for the rest of the evening, I was sure to direct every blood-curdling banshee cry in her direction. Anyone who has heard me scream can verify that, well, I sure do know how to project and sustain. (Voice lessons aren't just good for toking.)
DM, you and my wife should meet. She has some "issues" about this Stepford-wife-complex thing too. Neither of us are shy about having a good time in public and sometimes this frightens people. Who you may ask? The very same Stepford-wife twits and their sometimes equally annoying male counterparts. We boogied down at both concerts to some dismay from onlookers which only made us yell even louder and dance in the aisles.
Thanks for your review. ALWAYS enjoy reading your versions of events.
Cheers....Chris.
[begin Stepford wife-hating]
After "MIAB" my friend and I (and the rest of the crowd) screamed. At which point the uptight Stepford wife next to us covered her ear and rolled her eyes at us. I laughed. Welcome to a concert, honey.
From then on, for the rest of the evening, I was sure to direct every blood-curdling banshee cry in her direction. Anyone who has heard me scream can verify that, well, I sure do know how to project and sustain. (Voice lessons aren't just good for toking.)
DM, you and my wife should meet. She has some "issues" about this Stepford-wife-complex thing too. Neither of us are shy about having a good time in public and sometimes this frightens people. Who you may ask? The very same Stepford-wife twits and their sometimes equally annoying male counterparts. We boogied down at both concerts to some dismay from onlookers which only made us yell even louder and dance in the aisles.
Thanks for your review. ALWAYS enjoy reading your versions of events.
Cheers....Chris.
°My kid wants to be an influencer.
What the hell does that mean?
°It means I’ve failed as a parent.
What the hell does that mean?
°It means I’ve failed as a parent.
-
Rusty James - Posts: 880
- Joined: 16 Mar 2007 23:12
by DirtyMartini on 20 Jun 2007 23:13
Thanks, Chris. I wish we had found each other in Vancouver. I would have loved to meet your lady. And you as well, of course.
Dramatic highlights & a unique musical cosmos. Guaranteed.
-
DirtyMartini - Posts: 9622
- Joined: 03 Mar 2007 18:38
- Location: Around.
by Rusty James on 20 Jun 2007 23:19
[quote="DirtyMartini"]Thanks, Chris. I wish we had found each other in Vancouver. I would have loved to meet your lady. And you as well, of course.[/quote]
Me too. What other concerts will you be attending DM?
(I'll tune in tomorrow, my work day is done!)
Me too. What other concerts will you be attending DM?
(I'll tune in tomorrow, my work day is done!)
°My kid wants to be an influencer.
What the hell does that mean?
°It means I’ve failed as a parent.
What the hell does that mean?
°It means I’ve failed as a parent.
-
Rusty James - Posts: 880
- Joined: 16 Mar 2007 23:12
by DirtyMartini on 21 Jun 2007 00:53
Mostly East Coast shows now, I'm afraid: Cleveland, Philadelphia, MSG (x 2 or 3), Giants, and maybe Live Earth (still undecided). (Virgin keeps popping on and off the radar, so I'm not sure if that one will happen.)
(I take heart in knowing that Gina and Donna have still gone crazier than I.)
Are you planning any trips eastward by any chance?
(I take heart in knowing that Gina and Donna have still gone crazier than I.)
Are you planning any trips eastward by any chance?
Dramatic highlights & a unique musical cosmos. Guaranteed.
-
DirtyMartini - Posts: 9622
- Joined: 03 Mar 2007 18:38
- Location: Around.
by Rusty James on 21 Jun 2007 15:44
[quote="DirtyMartini"]Mostly East Coast shows now,....
Are you planning any trips eastward by any chance?[/quote]
I would love to take in ANY East coast show. If you know of any date(s) that might work over the course of a weekend as I don't have many holidays left this year. We're in San Diego in late September but I think by that time the tour is on the other side and we don't want to go to Toronto for....well...anything. I'm going to check the concert schedule right now
Are you planning any trips eastward by any chance?[/quote]
I would love to take in ANY East coast show. If you know of any date(s) that might work over the course of a weekend as I don't have many holidays left this year. We're in San Diego in late September but I think by that time the tour is on the other side and we don't want to go to Toronto for....well...anything. I'm going to check the concert schedule right now
°My kid wants to be an influencer.
What the hell does that mean?
°It means I’ve failed as a parent.
What the hell does that mean?
°It means I’ve failed as a parent.
-
Rusty James - Posts: 880
- Joined: 16 Mar 2007 23:12
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