STEWART COPELAND

Just wanted to know what everyone thought of how Stewart has been playing Every Little Thing She Does is Magic on this tour. The version the band has been playing is pretty different from the album version (as you would expect, and thus the band has always played it considerably different from the album version) wich may be why Stewart's playing on this song on this tour is so drastically different from the album version.

While I think the song works really well in concert, part of me wants to hear Stewart play something closer to the album version. It was probably this song that really got me into Copeland's drumming, particularly the hi hat stuff. In the 2007 version, most of the great hi hat stuff from the original album is gone.

I know that Stewart and Andy were never big fans of this song and it seems (I think from Andy's book) that Andy and Stewart were almost tricked into playing on it. I think that Stewart's drum part is a first take. Maybe Stewart was never really happy with that take; I don't know.

Anyway, just wanted to know what you thought. Or, if anyone else has a complaint or comment regarding how they are playing a song or part of a song differently (and I'm not talking about Don't Stand, the changes in key, or change in tempo, which have already been throughly discussed), I would be interested in hearing the same.

Not me, I saw it tonight. Stewart looked great playing it, really great. And I love Andy's guitar at the end. It gave me goosebumps. And the crowd, well they just went fucking crazy. You won't hear a bad comment from me. I loved every second of the show. I'm not slagging you, but when it comes to the Police, I can't be critical, I'm too big a fan. If Sting bent over and farted into the mike, I'd be telling you how funny it was.

I probably lean toward the album version, too. Especially the hi-hats. Probably because that's what I've listened to thousands of times. No one else plays the hats quite like that. Its fully understandable that numbers played live won't be the same as studio tracks; it's only three guys. And I can listen to the studio version whenever I want. Now having said that, I also love the new live version as well. It's new, with a new twist and it's great! It is, after all The Police, and I am truly grateful they are back. I would pay to watch Stew play just the hi-hat for 2 hours.....I don't know about listening to Stingo break wind though!
As for as being too big a fan to criticize, I'm not so sure I agree with that. Valid observations/critiques have come from some pretty serious fans. Didn't Stewart himself state in his media-frenzied 'disaster' post that [quote="STEWART"]"All I can think about is how Dietmar is going to string us up."[/quote]? I've heard Dietmar is a pretty big fan, too.

[quote="Tamadude"]I've heard Dietmar is a pretty big fan, too.[/quote]

I nominate this for Understatement of the Year.

Interesting well I saw the show last nite and IMO ELTSDIM was probably the best song they played in terms of album rendition. the tempo was right on the Carnival Reggae inna u Jeggae Feel was smoking. it just came off perfect for me. Another Drummer who is well versed on the Hats is Carlton Barrett of Bob Marley & The Wailers.

Just a guess, but I'm thinking Stewart shies away from the album version because he and Andy overdubbed onto Sting's demo. I bet it's always been a bone of contention with them.

I wasn't there, but live is live, and studio is studio....two completely different beasts that should be kept totally seperate IMO.

I completely agree on the separation between live and studio. I think there's You Tube footage of this song from the Ghost Tour. Isn't it Peru or something? Anyway, a rare moment that they played the song live back then. I'll have to look for the link.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LsUKYtkW4Bs

Enjoy!

This is not exactly true.
Stewart and Andy knew this song could be a big hit and had no problem playing on it. It was a new recording, not a dubbed demo. The bone of contention seems to have come up when Sting insisted on bringing in a guest pianist when he didn't think the Police were filling out the song as he envisioned. They resented a fourth member coming in and doing what Sting decided they couldn't. But I do think someone was right when they pointed out these drum takes are alot of first takes. Stew never got a chance to go back and redo his parts except the obvious overdubs (Demolition Man).

[quote="secretjourneyranch"]This is not exactly true.
Stewart and Andy knew this song could be a big hit and had no problem playing on it. It was a new recording, not a dubbed demo. The bone of contention seems to have come up when Sting insisted on bringing in a guest pianist when he didn't think the Police were filling out the song as he envisioned. They resented a fourth member coming in and doing what Sting decided they couldn't. But I do think someone was right when they pointed out these drum takes are alot of first takes. Stew never got a chance to go back and redo his parts except the obvious overdubs (Demolition Man).[/quote]

Have you heard his demo? I would strongly disagree that they made a new recording. Stewart has even admitted they tried every version possible but ended up using Sting's demo

It is a great version, it sounds a little "Kalypso", don't you think???
I always adored that song and the way Stew played it. I am sure we will get used to this new derangement by the time the live DVD will be released.

Just found this article with Stewart on Rolling Stone.com:

"On "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," it was exactly the opposite. We each owned a full recording studio, so instead of him bringing in a couple chords and a lyric, he'd bring in a fully produced master and we struggled against that, not going to turn it into our own thing and we fought and fought and fought and finally we did it his way. After all the shouting we couldn't argue with the fact that it sounded better that way. And I just overdubbed drums to the demo he had already made and I'm very proud of the result now, but I wasn't on the day."

here's the link:
http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/the ... _in_police

[quote="thedaner"][quote="secretjourneyranch"]This is not exactly true.
Stewart and Andy knew this song could be a big hit and had no problem playing on it. It was a new recording, not a dubbed demo. The bone of contention seems to have come up when Sting insisted on bringing in a guest pianist when he didn't think the Police were filling out the song as he envisioned. They resented a fourth member coming in and doing what Sting decided they couldn't. But I do think someone was right when they pointed out these drum takes are alot of first takes. Stew never got a chance to go back and redo his parts except the obvious overdubs (Demolition Man).[/quote]

Have you heard his demo? I would strongly disagree that they made a new recording. Stewart has even admitted they tried every version possible but ended up using Sting's demo[/quote]

Yes I have the demo (not the Strontium 90 version). It sounds different to me. I think they started from scratch on it. Stings demos are lifeless and flat. The Police version is faster and bouncier...but I admit they sound very similiar! I'm open to being wrong! But I'm pretty sure.

[quote="thedaner"]http://youtube.com/watch?v=LsUKYtkW4Bs

Enjoy![/quote]

Stewart vs. the brass group! It looks like he wanted to blew them off stage with his drumming ... that whole setup there is so so wrong ...
I would almost say the 2007 set is more Police then the Ghost and Sync tour combined - for Stewart at least ...