"DEAR STEWART": Are The Vaults Well & Truly Locked Forever?

[New Zealand Promoter]

Interesting story about FGTH, but fear not! It's well established that there is relevant and inspired Police material sitting in the vaults. As already discussed, Craig has carefully documented what he has found over the years at his website, and he's even posted here about the work he is doing on trying to get some of it officially released. Several collectors who frequent SC.net, myself included, can attest to just how much incredible unreleased live material there is, as well as amazing alternate takes and unreleased session recordings. No other band sounded like these guys did when they were together, and there's hours of inspirational music history gathering dust out there. As far as those live recordings go, there are hours of live video and live multitracks which weren't used for "Urgh!" as well as the "Around the World" videos (which are now in the hands of a large music production / distribution company - that isn't Universal Music - and may never see the light of day) as well as known concert video recordings such as the US Festival, the other two Amnesty shows and various '83-84 tour videos which were passed over in favour of the over-edited, incomplete "Synchronicity" concert film.

The tragedy is that the terribly, terribly talented and yoga-tastic man who gave us these songs to begin with appears to be actively opposed to having any "new" Police material released. This raises all kinds of interesting moral and ethical questions about a musician's right to retain control of their back catalogue vs the interest and investment of their fan base to continue engaging with their past.

This is an altogether different question to that of the illegal bootleg trade - if fans are making no money from an artist's unreleased work and the artist is losing no money from the free distribution of these recordings, is anyone being hurt? If the fans regard an artist's unreleased work to be relevant, important and / or otherwise of value, despite the author's belief otherwise or decision for that work to remain unheard, is it the artist's assertion that should take precedence? Arguably, yes, morally speaking, why shouldn't the creator retain control of their own creation? ..Or does the utility of enjoyment gained from these unreleased recordings outweigh the right to control and withhold these recordings?

I, for one, couldn't give a tiny tinker's cuss. I'm a very selfish Police fan. I want to hear it all. We all know that the official release of any vintage back catalogue gems will only serve to strengthen Sting's - and the band's - legacy, legend and relevance - something the reunion "Certifiable" package could never do.

[Howstupidmrbates]

I remember talking to Andy back in the Baked Potato days about all the bootlegs and he told me he had almost every show they ever did "somewhere" in his vast collection...

[HalcyonLisa]

Thank you Craig and good luck

[samburusunset]

[quote="Craig"][quote="HalcyonLisa"]Thank you Craig and good luck[/quote]

I am trying, honestly. If not then I will have to organise a listening party in Essex at a private venue and have the 22 unreleased Police tracks on loop all day. Universal can only do so much ...they are not the problem, without going into too much detail.[/quote]


Craig, there'd probably be a Nutter reunion if you did a listening party like that!

[secretjourneyranch]

We see unreleased and exciting, Sting sees dated and forgettable (my opinion)

Craig, you could always change your website music weekly. I loved the Voices remix.

[secretjourneyranch]

Craig. Absolutely. That or even another 'surprise'

Good luck with the release.

[empty]

I love pressies!!!! Thanks to my favorite beeeatch!

[secretjourneyranch]

Craig. Absolutely. That or even another 'surprise'

Good luck with the release.

DONE - Unreleased live track from Kim Turner's master tape from Castle Farms Music Theatre, Charlevoix 15/08/82

Craig

Now that was too cool!
A rare glimpse into perfectly recorded magic (and Sting on his BEST behavior).

Thanks for sharing it.
I'll be around your place for a little while.

[Funio]

Craig. Absolutely. That or even another 'surprise'

Good luck with the release.

DONE - Unreleased live track from Kim Turner's master tape from Castle Farms Music Theatre, Charlevoix 15/08/82

Craig

Now that was too cool!
A rare glimpse into perfectly recorded magic (and Sting on his BEST behavior).

Thanks for sharing it.
I'll be around your place for a little while.

Very cool Craig (I "caught" Bring On The Night)! The audience tape of this show surfaced not too long ago, but I didn't manage to grab it. These '82 versions of BOTN are fantastic, shame they dropped it for the Synchronicity tour!

[New Zealand Promoter]

[quote="Craig"]What do you want next Moon or Bring On The Night?[/quote]

How about Shadows in the Rain? That went *off* in '82.
BTW, you are a legend, "Roxanne" sounded rad.
...and good luck to you and Universal. Sounds like a real effort
is being made. Fingers, toes, eyes and teeth crossed.

[New Zealand Promoter]

[quote="Craig"]

Cheers Ben, I'll sort out Shadows In The Rain.[/quote]

Danke. Sounds awesome!

[ERIC]

Merci Craig !

It sound very good ....