Symphonicity concert review from Vancouver

[Rusty James]

http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainme ... story.html

Do you remember that television commercial from years ago featuring Sting? He was riding in a car surrounded by publicity flaks, all of

them bombarding him with products related to his sublime Stingness. One even pitched a toaster that burnt his likeness onto toast.

It was, of course, meant to be funny. But sometimes Sting kind of comes off as a guy who, in real life, might actually own a toaster

that did just that. But even if he doesn't, it's a neat analogy for Mr. Sting's lasting impression on this planet, something that, over

the years, has made him loads of bread.

Cut to Wednesday night at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts, the first stop on the pun-tastically named Symphonicity Tour: Sting,

Featuring the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Conducted by Steven Mercurio.

Quite the mouthful. But with Sting's breath, with Sting's flow, we would know, Symphonicity . . .

Of course, this inaugural performance was more than just a connecting principle linked to the invincible. And with top-end tickets going for

$267.50, seeing it wasn't for the stingy.

But let's be fair: a 45-piece orchestra, conductor,guitarist, standup bass player, drummer and one female backup singer obviously doesn't

come cheap.

It wasn't just musical fare, however: ten international artists - including Michel Gondry, Pierre Bismuth and Takeshi Murata - were

invited to contribute accompanying video projects, all shown on a trio of neat Asian-inspired screens that were suspended above the performers.

Sir Sting (he's not really a knight but it just sounds right), dressed as a some kind of futuristic concierge, delved deep into the back

catalogue - Police and solo work - performing material spanning roughly 35 years.

The symphonic arrangements certainly breathed new life into some of the songs, particularly on the Police material. Even angry songs like

Roxanne - which is really an angry song about the end of a relationship - becomes re-contextualized into a romantic light (which,

as it happens, literally bathed the stage in red).

Speaking of red, ominous orchestral maneuverings signaled an overbearing musical march into Sting's Cold-War classic, Russians.

From Mutual Assured Destruction themes, Sting and guests transitioned into Fields of Gold. This seemed somewhat abrupt at first, but,

really, post-nuclear annihilation, a golden happy place would be the logical next step.

By the time he picked up a guitar for the first time and performed Wrapped Around Your Finger, fair to say Sir Sting had the well-dressed

crowd wrapped around his.

And make no mistake: no matter how many people were accompanying him onstage, there was never any question as to who was at the centre of

it. There was some nice solo work by the orchestra - including a memorable two-part volin bit on Whenever I Say Your Name - but it's

not really about the arrangements, is it?

Having said that, some of them worked better than others. Message in a Bottle missed the mark, if only because the arrangement floated around

rather aimlessly. It could've used a push from a strong ska current to carry it through to shore.

Then again, Next to You, a four-chord rock track from 1977, featured a more aggressive arrangement by Rob Mathes that worked well, carrying

the crowd into the intermission on a high note.

By press time, and only halfway through the show, one thing was clear: Sting may not be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but, on this

night anyway, a couple thousand freshly buttered-up concertgoers here in Vancouver could make a case that he ought to be the toast of the

town.

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

"And make no mistake: no matter how many people were accompanying him onstage, there was never any question as to who was at the centre of it."
Pfffffff...for that, I have no doubt.
I'll be gongdamned if I ever refer to malgordo as "Sir Sting"

[Tamadude]

Oh, was he here? Thank goodness I didn't notice.

How's things Russ? I've been beating the snot out of the SC kit lately. C'mon back and have another go!

-Tdude

[ltwoman]

Since when did Roxanne become and "angry song"? Have I been in the dark all these31 years? Really? I better go tell my sweet kitteh, Roxanne, to spunk up and start acting more tiger-like.

[moonstone]

[quote="ltwoman"]Since when did Roxanne become and "angry song"? Have I been in the dark all these31 years? Really? I better go tell my sweet kitteh, Roxanne, to spunk up and start acting more tiger-like.[/quote]

Me too. I always had it down as an unrequited (probably spelt that wrong) love song. More sad than angry. On the other hand no-one wants to see a sad kitten so toughen up Roxanne and start being mean to mice.

[luddite lady]

"Sting...dressed as some kind of futuristic concierge..."
This line alone has made me fall in love with the writer of this article. And I didn't even check if it was written by a guy.
Take a look at the link to see the photo of Sting in this getup, especially if you are in need of a laugh today.
And is that a freakin' glove on his hand, or is it just his hand caught in a weird way by the lights? If it's a glove, Sting has reached a whole new level of pretentious ball bag-ness.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Rusty.

[sockii]

ZOMG, that totally looks like a glove as it seems like there's some cuff/roll up around the wrist.

BRB, LOLing forever...

[smax]

[quote="luddite lady"]"Sting...dressed as some kind of futuristic concierge..."
.[/quote]


Shouldn't that have been "Bell Boy"?

ooooh ooooh ooooh: Michel Gondry..... he's brilliant.

[ltwoman]

Am I making this up or didn't Sting tease Stewart about using gloves while drumming? (Big maybe I've got this wrong).

[Rusty James]

[quote="Tamadude"]Oh, was he here? Thank goodness I didn't notice.

How's things Russ? I've been beating the snot out of the SC kit lately. C'mon back and have another go!

-Tdude[/quote]

Hey Tamadude.
Looking forward to another ride on your chariot...just leave some snot for me.
I'll email you soon, buddy.
-Uncle Rusty

[ltwoman]

Rusty James, those aren't Gulf crabs are they ???

[moonstone]

Goodness me!

I wouldn't like to catch crabs that big!

[Rusty James]

[quote="ltwoman"]Rusty James, those aren't Gulf crabs are they ???[/quote]

Itwoman, these are Dungeness crabs caught off of Deep Cove in North Vancouver.
Commonly found in the waters around the Pacific Northwest.

[quote="moonstone"]Goodness me!
I wouldn't like to catch crabs that big! [/quote]

I'm not crazy about picking these things up either, moonstone.
The business-end of these crustaceans can be a bit intimidating when holding them.
(one ended up attached to my brother in-law's finger)
Nowhere near the size of an Alaskan King crab but feisty as all hell.

[policefan]

...and how was dinner?

[Kim]

Thank god I spared myself and my wallet from this debacle. Sheesh.

[TheEqualizer]

Double post