STEWART COPELAND

I was watching the Synchronicty concert last night and, hate to say this, but found it really hard to get through. First of all, they guys are really at the top of their game (well, Andy and Stewart were; I'll save by Sting comments for somewhere else; not saying he was bad, but . . .). However, the focus on the crowd and the "special" effects really has taken me to the point where I can't watch it.

I thought I could just watch the multiangle tracks (Synch II, Invisible Sun, Don't Stand, etc.) as they do not have any "special" effects or crowd shot; they are more like raw footage. However, some of these angles are horrible. Sometimes, the angle would be what it would be like to see them in the nosebleed seats. Who wants to see that? Also, there is a Sting angle, an Andy angle, a group angle, and a Sting and Andy from the side angle, but no Stewart angle. Copeland gets very little coverage.

I guess they went with Godley and Creme as they directed the video that transported them to SUPER SUPER stardom, but MY GOD! Its such a crime to see what they did to such an outstanding performance. Also, given that it was not released as a DVD until 20 years later, don't you think that could/should have corrected all of these embarassing bits?

PS: On the inside cover of the DVD, there is a set list which includes Demolition Man and Every Little Thing along wih regular Synch set list. When did they play this show?[/code]

I like the part where you see some people dancing and some idiot in the background sitting there reading a newspaper ... ! Daddy watching his daughter?

To answer the question: You're right. It is now completely unwatchable.

How funny that is given how many times I must have watched it between 1984 and 1987, then less and less because it became a little depressing, knowing this was IT.

Well, thankfully we don't have that problem anymore.

I'd love to see them get a live DVD out by the holidays. It CAN be done mid-tour. U2 did it 2 years ago and it was fine.

It would be funny if on the new DVD, when they came out, they were "magically outlined" like the chick during message in a bottle. Of course, no more "special" effects after that, of course.

That's funny EQ, I was watching the Synch vid last night too....I ended up turning off the TV though, and just enjoying the glorious 5.1 sound!! Except for when the doo-wop girls sing out of tune....that makes me wince!

it is funny to watch the "effects" true, but it's a great show and i love looking at the folks dressed in their 80's best. polo shirts, tight jeans, headbands, feathered hair... dancing the 80's new wave kick and swing... good stuff.

susan, i know what you mean about it being "it". it is depressing, but like you said we don't have to worry about that anymore.

i was particularly depressed when i read andy's account of shea in his book. tear jerker!

Yes, Andy's recounting of Shea...what really got me was the whole "Omegaman" story. And I got to see him a a book signing so I found myself wishing I'd had time to read the whole book before the event. I'd have told him how bad I felt for him!

i'm sure all of us feel the same way... you just want to give the man a HUG!

I plan on reading Andy's book but you've piqued my curiosity: Is someone willing to give a brief summary of Andy's Shea experience?

nope. read the book neon! it's not really the story that's interesting, it's the emotion that you get from it and you won't feel it by our account.

sorry!

The end of the book is very, very sad. Andy writes wonderfully about the incapability of the rock star on top to enjoy any of the success and being miserable and pissed off all the time.

The concerts at that point were just going through the motions. The public and the press were unaware of it, but the band knew it was going to an end. There is an interview with Stewart in a kind of an amusement park on You Tube where he is questioned about the future of the band and he is very vague and unusually shy and subdued, but there is a big, big sadness in his eyes.

At the time Andy's book was print, there was absolutely no notion of a reunion happening, so Andy's word look anything but hopeful.

What I thought was so sad was when Andy's marriage had fallen apart and he continued to pretend that all was ok in the media and had to continue recording (I think it was during GITM)

Things went from bad to worse after that, according to the book.
Andy (our beloved, sweet, mascara'd Zen guitar master) become an utter and complete egotistic rock star prick with according hotel manners and behavior.
(Only he has enough awareness to see it, unlike other members of the band...[cough, cough])

Thanks, Kalypso and TheEqualizer. If that was the case in those days, then this tour is the ultimate do-over! ....and policerule: I still am definitely going to read the book!

You have to read it. Be warned, it is very difficult to put down once you start.

I've read it 3 times now and still enjoy it.

Andy really has a way with words.