Stewart: A Few (humble) Suggestions

[Wait and See]

I know you guys don't need any advice, but I wanted to post a few small suggestions that I think could improve the show. Most of these seem to be kind of a consensus among a lot of fans.

1. Most of the changes you guys have made are really cool, but there are a few exceptions. In particular, "Don't Stand So Close to Me", "Truth Hits Everybody" and "Next to You" don't quite have the same impact as the original versions. If you did those closer to the originals, I think it would be an improvement--especially "Don't Stand". The original intro is one of the coolest things you guys ever did, and the new chorus is kind of a bummer. If there is any way possible to get "Bring on the Night" in there it would be awesome too.

2. Sting playing with a pick. His finger technique is all wrong (no offense), and I think it kind of muddies up his sound and takes away the punctuation of his bass lines. It may also be hindering him locking in with you as a rhythm section.

3. Andy playing the Telecaster. I thought he was going to play the reproductions Fender did for him. Stratocasters are great, but it just doesn't have the same sound. I guess there must be a reason why he went for a change, but I don't think it sounds as good.

4. Key changes. I know you probably changed the key on some of the songs to make it easier on Sting's voice, but it does make a difference in the way the song comes across when he's singing in a lower register. To whatever extent possible, maybe you could nudge him to sing up higher like he used to on some of those. I know there may be limits, but I think maybe he's gone too far to play it safe. It ends up sounding kind of mellow.

5. Tempo. Some people have thought you were playing too slow, but it seems like most of the songs are pretty close to what they were on the albums. That said, you did used to play them a lot faster live. If you're using a click, maybe you could bump them all up 10 BPM or so just to give them a little extra juice. Maybe even just 5.


Like I said, these are just suggestions from some nobody on the web. Food for thought. Take 'em or leave 'em.

[Laz]

Dear Stewart,

In case you read this, suggestions from another fan (seeing 6 shows so far on the tour) in addition to the general consensus of slightly brighter tempos (tempi?):

1: SUBSTANTIALLY more delay on the drums at various points in the set, mainly on WALKING ON THE MOON. All the live versions of WALKING ON THE MOON that I've heard/seen have that rumbling, dizzying, tumultuous feeling of the-room-is-spinning from generous delay/echoes on the hi-hats, snare, kick, toms and octobans. So far I'm hearing only a tiny amount of delay on the hi-hats at the beginning of WALKING ON THE MOON, and the rest of the song sounds a bit too grounded and safe, IMO. Also what are the chances of Sting breaking out an electric upright bass (what's Brian up to these days?), or at least a fretless on the song? No big deal, though.

2. In complete agreement with what Wait and See says above, DON'T STAND SO CLOSE TO ME and TRUTH HITS EVERYBODY both need much, much more intensity to them. I really got the feeling from both the shows I've seen so far that both of those songs are really not quite up to what I know for a fact the three of you are capable of. Let's crank it up, guys!

3. I'm kinda not sure about the calypso-ish thing in the chorus of EVERY LITTLE THING SHE DOES IS MAGIC. How about that fast double-time thing you always used to do in the chorus? Could help keep the intensity level up. Personally I love the rest of it, though. (that softer ending from the video footage of your rehearsals in Tuscany sounded GREAT! What are the chances of that ending following you guys to the stage...)

4. The key change/modulation at the end of DE DO DO DO, sounds a bit funny to me. Also, I think Andy really should be playing the main rhythm guitar parts in the choruses back in the original octave, not an octave higher like he's been doing.

That's about it. Strong kudos on the new WALKING IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS and WRAPPED AROUND YOUR FINGER. Very cool folkloric, Mediterranean-ish sounding stuff on BED'S TOO BIG WITHOUT YOU. Keep it up on DRIVEN TO TEARS... amazing live version... love it. ROXANNE seems to be sounding better and better each night... incredible live versions so far... wherever you guys are going with ROXANNE, please don't stop... sounds amazing!! VOICES/WHEN THE WORLD sounds awesome (though please tell Sting to put the 2nd verse back in "...plug in my M.C.I, to exercise my brain...", maybe followed by Andy's guitar solo, and afterwards coming in softer out of the solo section to the 3rd verse "...when I feel lonely here, don't waste my time with tears...", and then build it up to the end). Tell Sting his voice has been sounding great so far, and I love alot of the new stuff Andy's doing (beginning of EVERY LITTLE THING SHE DOES IS MAGIC, the Jeff Beck-ish stuff in the solo of WALKING IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS he did on 5/28, and alot of other stuff). Oh, yeah, also tell him to not be shy about breaking out the Tele more often. Seems to be a crowd pleaser.

Again, not trying to nag you guys, since I'm sure you have plenty on your minds as it is already these days. Just little suggestions from another fan who cares. Take 'em or leave 'em.

Police fan for life,

Laz

ps. in case it hasn't been mentioned billions of times already here and elsewhere, don't forget to keep those tempos (tempi?) up.

[blueboy]

While I agree with much of what has been said here...I'm not going to get too hung up on it. I remember being pretty let down by the Synchronicity tour because it sounded nothing like the record. Also, things like Sting simplifying the bass line live for songs like Spirits used to really bother me (I'm sure the original would have sounded terrible in a big boomy arena anyway). None of this stuff is in any way a deal breaker.

DSSCTM is still not working as a new arrangement for me personally. The higher key is better, but the lack of the original melody in the chorus is probably the biggest problem. Who am I to argue with Sting though.....the guy obviously knows how to write great songs, so it must be doing something for him.

I think the new version of ELTSDIM is excellent in its own right. I'm not comparing it to the original. If the Police came out with a similar song today with this calypso feel...it would rule the airwaves.

I'm not going to get too excited about the new material rumours, but if they came out with some new stuff using the "world music" type flavours they have injected into some of the new arrangements, I'd be first in line to buy it!

I just love the fact that we are still being challenged musically. That's what keeps the music alive and relevant.

[Wait and See]

Yep...Magic is great now that they bumped it back up to the original key. Stewart's drumming on the new arrangement is sweet.

As for the intensity level, it's not just tempo. All of my suggestions kind of point in that direction. When Sting sings higher, it sounds more intense. When he plays with a pick, there's more attack on his bass lines.

As for Andy, a Strat and a Telecaster sound totally different to begin with, but Andy's Teles also have a humbucker in them, which makes them sound even more different. The end result is a tone that's brighter and more cutting while at the same time being fat and solid. An "edgier" sound.

[dontboxmein]

Okay Stewart,

Have been playing drums since seven and yes I am a professional, so with that being said I have a right to speak what I feel.

People we are no longer in 1983...it's gone quit living in the past. The Police have a right to experiment with their material. Quit being so dam critical about Bpm's. I think Dont Stand in the cut time chours is great. And Truth has more soul than it ever did before!!!!

Speed does not equal great. The new arrangments will grow on you give them a freaking chance will you. It's not about you it's about the band doing what they enjoy.

Quit trying to constrain their creativity!!!! Let them develope in their own way. First rule of music...you let the song dictate to you what to play.

People grow up we are in 2007 and they are way better musicians on the whole. And they bring a new thing to the table.




Dont Box Me In

[Wait and See]

I think I'm fully grown up. As I stated, I think a lot of the changes they've made are cool. All of what I said above falls under the category of constructive criticism, and it all comes with the disclaimer that they are the "superstars" and will do what they think is best. However, rather than being merely a sycophant, I like to think I'm able to listen with an objective ear. You have to be able to detach your own perspective and listen to it as the bulk of people on the tour will, not just those of us who are extremely familiar with their material.

From that perspective, I think a lot of the changes they've made work, but some don't. Just my 2 cents. Hopefully Stew appreciates people's honest opinion. I'm not remotely trashing them. In other words, chill.

[Duke]

Fully agree with the Sting using a pick.

Loved the way his fretless sounded with one.


And I'm all for speeding the songs up. IMO, the Police's sound was pretty much based on a very fast tempo with the exceptions of several songs.

Oh and break out Mother at Bonaroo. Oh and a 20 minute Bed's too Big -> Dark Star jam -> Beds to Big would be nice.

[samburusunset]

[quote="dontboxmein"]Okay Stewart,

Have been playing drums since seven and yes I am a professional, so with that being said I have a right to speak what I feel.

People we are no longer in 1983...it's gone quit living in the past. The Police have a right to experiment with their material. Quit being so dam critical about Bpm's. I think Dont Stand in the cut time chours is great. And Truth has more soul than it ever did before!!!!

Speed does not equal great. The new arrangments will grow on you give them a freaking chance will you. It's not about you it's about the band doing what they enjoy.

Quit trying to constrain their creativity!!!! Let them develope in their own way. First rule of music...you let the song dictate to you what to play.

People grow up we are in 2007 and they are way better musicians on the whole. And they bring a new thing to the table.


Dont Box Me In[/quote]


WORD!!

Give it a chance, people!
Open your minds and embrace this new creation that they are presenting to us! It's the freaking POLICE for god's sake!!!!

You can always stay home and listen to your CD's if you want everything to be in the same tempo with the same guitar and with or without a pick and Sting wearing the same underwear.....


BTW.... Stewart blew the fucking roof off the GM Place!!!

[Divemistress of the Dark]

Go, SS!

Police playing Dark Star at Bonnaroo? I would die. We gotta find a way to get some text messaging of the setlist out of there...

[Duke]

You can always stay home and listen to your CD's if you want everything to be in the same tempo with the same guitar and with or without a pick and Sting wearing the same underwear..... <<


soooooo are you saying I need to leave my parachute pants and multicolored Synchronicity jacket complete with the tail that I made out of red yellow and blue electrical tape at the house?

Drat.

I was going to be the belle of the ball




Police playing Dark Star at Bonnaroo? I would die.<<

Same here but something that sick would tear a hole in the space time continuum and sometimes that's not always a good thing but it would be a hell of a ride.

I wonder if they'll stream the show on the Bonnaroo website?

I intend to make it down front right after Ben Harper (he's playing before the Police correct?) and staking me a spot out right down front.

[Duke]

Any chance we can get some new outfits for Stu and Andy? At the fan show they sorta looked like members of Alpha Flight.

[Wait and See]

Mentioned this in another thread, but one thing definitely ought to happen at Bonnaroo--drum solo. Like 15-20 minutes.

[itsalrightforstew]

[quote="Duke"]Any chance we can get some new outfits for Stu and Andy? At the fan show they sorta looked like members of Alpha Flight.[/quote]

Holy crap. My arse has been thoroughly laughed off.

I may be in the minority here, but I think "Truth Hits" is safe at any speed. I hope it stays in the set until I can catch them in St. Louis.

[racerxjj67]

[quote="dontboxmein"]Okay Stewart,

Have been playing drums since seven and yes I am a professional, so with that being said I have a right to speak what I feel.

People we are no longer in 1983...it's gone quit living in the past. The Police have a right to experiment with their material. Quit being so dam critical about Bpm's. I think Dont Stand in the cut time chours is great. And Truth has more soul than it ever did before!!!!

Speed does not equal great. The new arrangments will grow on you give them a freaking chance will you. It's not about you it's about the band doing what they enjoy.

Quit trying to constrain their creativity!!!! Let them develope in their own way. First rule of music...you let the song dictate to you what to play.

People grow up we are in 2007 and they are way better musicians on the whole. And they bring a new thing to the table.


Dont Box Me In[/quote]

Actually, the reason these we all love this band is because of what they were 20 years ago. I think most people have no issue with a tweak here and there, but to change the entire tempo and feel of a song is asanine. Especially major hits like those. And to decrease the tempo and drive of "Truth" and "next to you" is a major let down.

Some fans here are turning a blind eye to the abortion performed on some of these songs, just because they feel obligated to praise everything they do. A true fan accepts some change, but complete reversals of song tempo and mood is not the smart thing to do if they want to "take over the world" as it has been stated by our founding father. And we real fans have the right to voice their opinion.

Nobody liked the 86 version of DSSCTM, so why in the hell are they doing it? Wake up boys. Also, kick it in the ass on "Next to you" as the kick in the balls, thrash around, "fuck ya" song that it was meant to be.

As far as better muscians. there is no question they're talent is better, but that doesn't give them the right to disillusion their fans with lame comtemporary remakes of classic songs. If The Who, stones, smashing pumkins, etc, screwed with their songs like The Police have, they would hear about big time!

As I said, a tweak here and there is just fine with me. Actually, I liked the version of Roxana from the Grammy's just fine-dandy. It's when they screw up an entire song by trying to revisit it because they have matured or grown muscially is not what made them famous.

If I sound pissed it's because I didn't spend a shit load of money to listen to songs that don't sound like anything like the ones I purchased 30 years ago or saw them play live in 83.

I hope they get it somewhat together before they come to Detroit.

[Wait and See]

Whoa now...it's not that bad. They are kicking butt on many of the songs, and the new arrangements are mostly cool. It is only the three I mentioned that I think are kind of lacking, and could be a major boost to the show if they were improved. DON'T STAND is by far the biggest offender. Every time they've played it (that I've heard), the crowd goes "WHOO!" when Sting starts singing and then kind of goes "Oh..." when they get to the chorus. The other two are just not the thrashing rock tunes they were originally, which I think is hard to justify.

Pretty much EVERYTHING ELSE is good in terms of the arrangements, but could maybe be improved by some of the other suggestions I made.