STEWART COPELAND

by **cpriddims** on 13 Jul 2007 19:43

Final Thoughts (belated) on Miami...

(this is a repost from the end of the gonzo miami thread in case you already read it)

Just got home to Atlanta last night and I wanted to take the time to pour out a few more details on my Miami show experience.

The Miami show was performed with a very high level of musical execution. I am not saying this only because I was in the front row and was so excited that I wouldn't have noticed mistakes. I would have noticed. Trust me. Now people have opinions and that's fine. I can honestly say I have been playing, studying, and writing music for most of my life. Andy Sting and Stewart did not make mistakes at Miami like the few I heard last month at Bonnaroo. THEY WERE INCREDIBLY ON THE MONEY AS FAR AS ACCURACY. I think some of the 'not so happy' posts about the Miami show may be from people without a keen ear for advanced chords and musical structure. Some people hear a jazz chord and think it's wrong. Trained musicians or people with open minds and ears can hear these chords and understand their sounding in the context of the song structure. I am telling you they were completely ON at Miami. Tampa was not as ON, but I will start a post on that later.

Pre show at Miami, my buddy and I just loosened up a bit with a few 'cuba libres.' I was not about to get sloshed and ruin the most important concert experience of my life. So no worries on the flag ok? The beverages were needed to loosen up and chill any pre-show jitters I had. Believe me, I was a dramatic mess until I finally had those tix in my hand!

Other details:
1) Sting's voice was perfect. I was worried when I saw Live Nation afew days before Miami and he cracked a few times. At Miami, he was sipping tea and sucking down some type of medicinal herbs from a medicine bottle with a white lever on it. He sounded wonderful and did indeed stretch his range on a few tunes.

2) Andy made no mistakes on the note and chord changes whatsoever. We were watching him the whole time. There was a row of cabinets and smaller speakers all the way across the front bottom of the stage and they were blaring in our face. I would have heard any mistakes that came out. That sound was so strong, but not distorted at all. It fueled my adrenaline all night long. I heard every note he Sting and Stewart played. About 2 or 3 times Andy would not fully stroke a chord (or miss it) so it wouldn't sound as strong, but the notes were still correct.

3) Stewart played his best show at Miami. Period. Out of the three shows I have seen anyway. He was aggressive, accurate, and all the right fills happened at precisely the right time. I sure hope if they release a dvd this is the show they do it with.

Check my tampa thread soon!

by **cpriddims** on 13 Jul 2007 20:22

BTW I added a few more pics to the miami set. Check it out.

The Police in Miami - Front Row!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9033068@N0 ... 0763315926

by **BongoBoy** on 13 Jul 2007 20:31

Thanks a lot !

You did a very thorough job.

I have the same perspective as you (musician, open ears, open mind) and I love reading that stuff....so cool...front row...flagman !

I am SO relieved to hear Stingo's voice was OK. Live Earth was the FIRST tme I have heard his crack a bit. All the bootlegs and anything I have seen or heard...I can't remember that happening.

If you play music and try some of those Police tunes...and sing them...you get a new and GIGANTIC respect for Stingo and his singing. Man it's tough...he goes high and WITH tone. I have played with guys who can hit the high note....but the "timber" or tone just doesn't work.

Sorry, tired, blabbing on again.

Thanks again CPRIDDIMS !!! (C'mon July 22nd !!!).

by **Rusty James** on 13 Jul 2007 20:32

Thanks for the review cp. This show has had the best reviews I have read to date on this forum. Like fine wine (even though my wine comes in a box!) these guys are just getting better and better.

Good to see the flag in fine form

by **PunkRockPoo** on 13 Jul 2007 20:41

CP I'm so glad you posted this. I too, thought the boys were spot on and stated so in my review as well. Unfortunately, I have no ear and couldn't really back up my opinion in an educated manner. I guess the heart doesn't lie.

I did see several large cameras mixed in with the sound/lighting rig and wondered if this show was filmed as well? But then I realized Duh, it's probably just for the jumbotron. But I agree, if this was filmed, everyone is in for a treat.

by **cpriddims** on 13 Jul 2007 21:11

I am guessing...

"The Police: Undercover"

The new dvd coming soon. Gio? Anyone?

by **cpriddims** on 13 Jul 2007 22:18

by **conroy** on 13 Jul 2007 22:30

I still can't believe a picture capturing you with the flag superimposed over Sting on the Jumbotron hasn't surfaced yet!

by **Three over Four** on 14 Jul 2007 00:41

[quote]I still can't believe a picture capturing you with the flag superimposed over Sting on the Jumbotron hasn't surfaced yet![/quote]

NO SHIT....how cool would that be?!?!

[quote]I am guessing...

"The Police: Undercover"

The new dvd coming soon. Gio? Anyone?[/quote]

The sooner the better as far as I'm concerned....I'm just hoping that in the fall, they make a swing back through the Northwest somewhere.....anywhere.....I'll be there.

by **Kalypso** on 14 Jul 2007 00:43

Don't hold your breath, Brother ....

by **Three over Four** on 14 Jul 2007 00:56

Maybe I should revise that to the entire west coast....then I might stand a chance, eh?

by **Kalypso** on 14 Jul 2007 00:58

Maybe LA, they always get everything, the bastards!

by **Three over Four** on 14 Jul 2007 01:37

No shit....they even got the only show with the boys from Foo. The douche-baggery of it all. I was really hoping they would've played someplace outdoors when they came through here, but I'm not sure that there's anyplace big enough....unless they do rock shows at Safeco or Qwest Fields? Which I doubt....

by **cpriddims** on 15 Jul 2007 04:55

[quote="conroy"]I still can't believe a picture capturing you with the flag superimposed over Sting on the Jumbotron hasn't surfaced yet![/quote]

It was a quick moment. Say about 5 seconds or so. The cameras would pan the audience at a certain time of certain songs so I would ready the flag when I noticed them pointing the camera at us. The camera crew were well rehearsed. This makes me believe there will be a live dvd at some point but who knows?

by **PapaCat** on 15 Jul 2007 05:06

Fantastic pics, CP! Killer seats and a great set to boot! As my pal Wayne would say, "How cool is that?!"

Thanks for sharing!

STEWART COPELAND

My Final Miami Thoughts (belated)

My Final Miami Thoughts (belated)

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