Chicago Show #1

[zilboy]

As the late, great Harry Carey would say, "HOLY COW!"

It's 1:15 AM the morning of the 6th and I'm not at all tired. The boys put on a fine show tonight. There are so many things buzzing through my brain, so forgive me if I just prattle on at random.

I had ok seats, Stewart's kit looked very tiny, but it could have been worse. Thank goodness for the big screens. There was always one shot of Sting, Stew, and Andy on each of the 3 main screens on stage. The 2 peripheral screens showed an awful lot of Stewart. His kit was all lit up, which made it hard to see him. Hooray for those long, flailing arms! There were some incredible up close shots of him from all angles, a real treat for us drumbos. He seemed to be having a good time, but his concentration level appeared very high. Not many stick twirls, lots of exaggerated left hand. His kit sounded great, but maybe could have been a tad louder. His percussion stuff was also excellent. I love how he reaches all the way across with both arms to smack something on each side. So cool!

The sound in general was very good. This was the first concert I've been to where my ears weren't ringing afterwards!

Andy was brilliant. Such effortless playing and such great solos, especially on "Sync II," "World Is Running," and "So Lonely." He wasn't very animated, though. Perhaps tonight during the sequel. Oh, and THE TELE made its triumphant return during the encores!

And then there was Sting. Voice as smooth as butter, although a little sharp at the beginning of Message. Nailed all the high notes. Very charming between songs, but a little reserved. Walked around the stage a bit, but no jumps. Hung out with Andy a lot. Early on, he mentioned that the band's last Chicago appearance was at Comiskey Park, former home of the White Sox. This drew a lot of boos from the crowd, and I think Sting misunderstood and got a bit unnerved. Those of you from out of state may or may not know that there is an intense North Side/South Side rivalry in Chicago, the Cubs on the North side and the Sox on the south. No doubt, someone has brought Sting up to speed, so hopefully he won't take offense if it happens again tonight.

A brief bit about the tunes. "Truth Hits" is slower again, same key as in previous shows. This is fine with me - I love this arrangement. Likewise, I found "Don't Stand" rather refreshing. "Bed's Too Big" was cool, but not much jamming. They did "De Do Do Do!" No "Spirits" this time! I have to confess that even though "Next To You" is far from lame, it still sounds like a 50's teeny-bopper tune. Some of those rough edges have been smoothed over by the sands of time, I guess.

All in all, a terrific show. The crowd was on its feet for almost the entire evening. And everyone was singing - on key! Not much dancing, though, except for yours truly and a few others. Also, one sad, loney little lighter on "Every Breath."

I will never forget this night for as long as I am on this earth. My dream has miraculously come true. I can't wait for round two tonight!

[georgygirl]

Awesome report.

Feel the energy!

[Dietmar]

another reason to booo Sting is that he just wasn't right - THE POLICE played two more times in Chicago after Comiskey Park

but I guess no one but me cares a lot :(

[DirtyMartini]

Thanks for the report, zilboy!

Have a great time tonight!

[animal]

Nice going zilboy,

Thanks for the report

[Grant]

[quote="zilboy"]


The sound in general was very good. [/quote]


Lucky you!

[Jennythenipper]

[quote="zilboy"]

The sound in general was very good. This was the first concert I've been to where my ears weren't ringing afterwards![/quote]

I was pleasantly surprised by the St. Paul show too. I think they have the sound down pat.

Thanks for the review. Holy Cow!

[Jennythenipper]

[quote="Dietmar"]another reason to booo Sting is that he just wasn't right - THE POLICE played two more times in Chicago after Comiskey Park

but I guess no one but me cares a lot [/quote]

Oh Dietmar, you have such a way of knowing.

I was kinda thinking Sting isn't up on his Police knowledge too, when he said that "this next song was from our first album" and launched into Bed's too Big at the St. Paul Show.

[phaty]

[quote="Jennythenipper"][quote="Dietmar"]another reason to booo Sting is that he just wasn't right - THE POLICE played two more times in Chicago after Comiskey Park

but I guess no one but me cares a lot [/quote]

Oh Dietmar, you have such a way of knowing.

I was kinda thinking Sting isn't up on his Police knowledge too, when he said that "this next song was from our first album" and launched into Bed's too Big at the St. Paul Show.[/quote]

LOL ... !

I bet when Sting says all that Stewart goes: "Oh for fuck sake what will Dietmar think!"

[Jennythenipper]

Yeah, it kinda blew my whole Sting is a cyborg theory. A cyborg would be programed with basic knowledge of the Police.

Now, I'm back to the Sting is Dorian Gray theory--there is a decrepit painting of him in a closet somewhere.