Any reports from the Phoenix show? Eh? The early comments on tpt.com sound like it was a really good one.
This picture from last night is also just too awesome:
http://www.azcentral.com/php-bin/pop-ph ... 7688E5BD5C
Phoenix?
15 posts
• Page 1 of 1
by policerule on 19 Jun 2007 12:53
most excellent picture! your avatar is STILL freaking me out. i love it, but i can't take my eyes off it!
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policerule - Posts: 8142
- Joined: 24 Feb 2007 23:17
by AZPEARTPORTNOY on 19 Jun 2007 14:43
Off to work, but hopefully this will help. I'll try to give my own review later today. Great show.
The Police rock US Airways Center, June 18, 2007
By Larry Rodgers
The Arizona Republic
The Police haven't played a major concert tour in 23 years, but that didn't stop the legendary trio from reaching far beyond tried-and-true versions of their '80s rock classics Monday at US Airways Center in Phoenix .
Bassist Sting, drummer Stewart Copeland and guitarist Andy Summer updated virtually 95 percent of their 20-song set list, with varying degrees of success.
At the best moments, including "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," "Wrapped Around Your Finger" and "Can't Stand Losing You," the reunited bandmates added energy and complexity to songs that have been played nearly to death on classic-rock radio.
On the other end of the spectrum, "Don't Stand So Close To Me," "Roxanne" and "So Lonely" were uneven and should have been left alone. The Police apparently didn't hear the largely negative response to their reworking of "Roxanne" at this year's Grammy Awards, and they veered toward that ill-fated blueprint on Monday.
The British group is facing a quandary on this seven-month global outing: Fans are paying up to $250 per seat to hear the catalog that made the trio rich and famous, and many of those listeners want to relive the magic of two decades ago. They're not necessarily looking to be challenged by the song arrangements.
"If you want to tour every 25 years, you do it my way," said disappointed concertgoer John Rosenthal of Cave Creek after the two-hour show. "If you're touring every year or two, then do it your way."
Sting and his bandmates, less than eager to play the human jukebox, no doubt disagree.
As VH1 executive Rick Krim, who worked at MTV during the Police's heyday, recently said, "For their own sake, the Police are not trying to pretend it's 1982."
The concert started out on a strong, familiar note. After warming up the audience, which was weighted toward fans 35 and older but included a smattering of curious teens and 20-somethings, with Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up," the trio started out with a Copeland bang of the gong and a straightforward take on 1979's "Message In a Bottle."
Sting, 55, outfitted in a white, sleeveless shirt, pendant, dark pants and lace-up boots, was in fine voice on the opening song and throughout the evening. Summers, 64, worked his Fender Stratocaster with his usual dexterity, and Copeland, 54, wearing a headband and wire-rimmed glasses, attacked his drum kit with even more ferocity than he did decades ago.
The crowd responded with an impressive roar, as it did in several other spots of the well-paced set.
The ever-popular rocker "Synchronicity II," followed, with the major change being an extended lead to showcase the skill of Summers, who ventured into jazz, New Age and ambient music after the Police broke up.
"It's nice to be back in Phoenix. We've been coming here for many, many years," Sting said, perhaps blurring the line between Police tours and his successful solo career.
The singer later mentioned that he had climbed Camelback Mountain at 6 a.m. Monday. (Both he and Copeland are in great physical shape.)
Hints of what was to come emerged in another favorite, 1979's "Walking On the Moon." An lengthy instrumental jam spotlighted Sting, who walked all the way around the oval stage to wave at fans who watched his backside most of the night. The singer then repeated the phrase "Walking back from your house" over and over and over as Summers dabbled in some spacey guitar. The crowd enjoyed a Marley-like call-and-response with Sting.
The wide-open stage, with video screens hung high above, emphasized that the night would be about music, not bells, whistles, flames and fireworks.
A sped-up version of "When the World Is Running Down, You make the Best of What's Still Around" started off shaky but was rescued when Copeland's drum mastery guided the song to a funky, danceable climax.
Throughout the night, Copeland dazzled both behind his drum kit and when he migrated to a wall of percussive toys and an array of kettle drums. He remains among rock's drumming elite.
Summers had his moments, but somehow seemed under-utilized. He was given the spotlight in measured doses, including a wailing solo during one of the night's most well-executed songs, "Driven to Tears."
Sting, of course, had much of the spotlight, and he did a decent job of trying to keep the entire 18,000-plus in attendance involved.
In contrast, one of the night's low points came when the orginally-defiant "Don't Stand So Close To Me" got muted treatment, courtesy of a darker arrangement of chords.
Other missteps included a lackluster take on "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" and rote vocals by Sting on the first encore song, "King of Pain."
These were the only two instances when the front man's singing seemed to say, "These are two songs I've just grown weary of performing." To his credit, Sting maintained a smiling enthusiasm through even the most ancient hits the rest of the night.
The trio achieved mixed results as it challenged concertgoers by varying rhythms and including lengthy bass and guitar solos on the reggae-heavy "The Bed's Too Big Without You."
Extra instrumentation came together just fine in the rocking "I Can't Stand Losing You," and a slower, more mellow approach to "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" also worked. The crowd took over vocals for Sting in the middle of the latter.
An extended encore version of "Every Breath You Take" provided a nice moment for the couples in the crowd, who swayed and happily echoed Sting's chants of "Whoa-oh-oh" in the middle.
Despite all the tweaking of songs, the concert started and ended with nothing-fancy versions of Police favorites. A rocking version of the raw early track "Next to You" wrapped things up, as if the Police were trying to hedge their bet.
Like the recent ending of HBO's "Sopranos" series, this concert and tour promise to spark a debate between those who want their art in a clear-cut, predictable form and those who are open to artists putting sometimes-flawed spins on their work.
The Police certainly could please more fans by playing at least a few more songs closer to their original form, which would be a wise move that doesn't require abandoning their overall desire for artistic evolution.
But like David Chase, creator of the "Sopranos," Sting, Copeland and Summers ultimately get the final cut.
Opening the show was Fictionplane, a trio led by bassist Joe Sumner, son of Sting (who was born Gordon Sumner).
The younger Sumner, who sings in a voice mirroring his father's, did a good job of getting the crowd to overcome its suspicion about how his 4-year-old band landed its gig.
He and guitarist Seton Daunt and drummer Pete Wilhoit are trying to put a more modern spin on the power trio, and their set showed promise.
Most Police-like and most well-received was the reggae-rocking single, "Two Sisters."
Police set list:
Message in a Bottle
Synchronicity II
Walking On the Moon
Voices Inside My Head
When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around
Don't Stand So Close To Me
Driven To Tears
The Bed's Too Big Without You
Truth Hits Everybody
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Wrapped Around Your Finger
De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
Invisible Sun
Walking in Your Footsteps
Can't Stand Losing You
Roaxanne
First encore:
King of Pain
So Lonely
Second encore:
Every Breath You Take
Next to You
Reach Rodgers at larry.rodgers@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-8043.
'
The Police rock US Airways Center, June 18, 2007
By Larry Rodgers
The Arizona Republic
The Police haven't played a major concert tour in 23 years, but that didn't stop the legendary trio from reaching far beyond tried-and-true versions of their '80s rock classics Monday at US Airways Center in Phoenix .
Bassist Sting, drummer Stewart Copeland and guitarist Andy Summer updated virtually 95 percent of their 20-song set list, with varying degrees of success.
At the best moments, including "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," "Wrapped Around Your Finger" and "Can't Stand Losing You," the reunited bandmates added energy and complexity to songs that have been played nearly to death on classic-rock radio.
On the other end of the spectrum, "Don't Stand So Close To Me," "Roxanne" and "So Lonely" were uneven and should have been left alone. The Police apparently didn't hear the largely negative response to their reworking of "Roxanne" at this year's Grammy Awards, and they veered toward that ill-fated blueprint on Monday.
The British group is facing a quandary on this seven-month global outing: Fans are paying up to $250 per seat to hear the catalog that made the trio rich and famous, and many of those listeners want to relive the magic of two decades ago. They're not necessarily looking to be challenged by the song arrangements.
"If you want to tour every 25 years, you do it my way," said disappointed concertgoer John Rosenthal of Cave Creek after the two-hour show. "If you're touring every year or two, then do it your way."
Sting and his bandmates, less than eager to play the human jukebox, no doubt disagree.
As VH1 executive Rick Krim, who worked at MTV during the Police's heyday, recently said, "For their own sake, the Police are not trying to pretend it's 1982."
The concert started out on a strong, familiar note. After warming up the audience, which was weighted toward fans 35 and older but included a smattering of curious teens and 20-somethings, with Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up," the trio started out with a Copeland bang of the gong and a straightforward take on 1979's "Message In a Bottle."
Sting, 55, outfitted in a white, sleeveless shirt, pendant, dark pants and lace-up boots, was in fine voice on the opening song and throughout the evening. Summers, 64, worked his Fender Stratocaster with his usual dexterity, and Copeland, 54, wearing a headband and wire-rimmed glasses, attacked his drum kit with even more ferocity than he did decades ago.
The crowd responded with an impressive roar, as it did in several other spots of the well-paced set.
The ever-popular rocker "Synchronicity II," followed, with the major change being an extended lead to showcase the skill of Summers, who ventured into jazz, New Age and ambient music after the Police broke up.
"It's nice to be back in Phoenix. We've been coming here for many, many years," Sting said, perhaps blurring the line between Police tours and his successful solo career.
The singer later mentioned that he had climbed Camelback Mountain at 6 a.m. Monday. (Both he and Copeland are in great physical shape.)
Hints of what was to come emerged in another favorite, 1979's "Walking On the Moon." An lengthy instrumental jam spotlighted Sting, who walked all the way around the oval stage to wave at fans who watched his backside most of the night. The singer then repeated the phrase "Walking back from your house" over and over and over as Summers dabbled in some spacey guitar. The crowd enjoyed a Marley-like call-and-response with Sting.
The wide-open stage, with video screens hung high above, emphasized that the night would be about music, not bells, whistles, flames and fireworks.
A sped-up version of "When the World Is Running Down, You make the Best of What's Still Around" started off shaky but was rescued when Copeland's drum mastery guided the song to a funky, danceable climax.
Throughout the night, Copeland dazzled both behind his drum kit and when he migrated to a wall of percussive toys and an array of kettle drums. He remains among rock's drumming elite.
Summers had his moments, but somehow seemed under-utilized. He was given the spotlight in measured doses, including a wailing solo during one of the night's most well-executed songs, "Driven to Tears."
Sting, of course, had much of the spotlight, and he did a decent job of trying to keep the entire 18,000-plus in attendance involved.
In contrast, one of the night's low points came when the orginally-defiant "Don't Stand So Close To Me" got muted treatment, courtesy of a darker arrangement of chords.
Other missteps included a lackluster take on "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" and rote vocals by Sting on the first encore song, "King of Pain."
These were the only two instances when the front man's singing seemed to say, "These are two songs I've just grown weary of performing." To his credit, Sting maintained a smiling enthusiasm through even the most ancient hits the rest of the night.
The trio achieved mixed results as it challenged concertgoers by varying rhythms and including lengthy bass and guitar solos on the reggae-heavy "The Bed's Too Big Without You."
Extra instrumentation came together just fine in the rocking "I Can't Stand Losing You," and a slower, more mellow approach to "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" also worked. The crowd took over vocals for Sting in the middle of the latter.
An extended encore version of "Every Breath You Take" provided a nice moment for the couples in the crowd, who swayed and happily echoed Sting's chants of "Whoa-oh-oh" in the middle.
Despite all the tweaking of songs, the concert started and ended with nothing-fancy versions of Police favorites. A rocking version of the raw early track "Next to You" wrapped things up, as if the Police were trying to hedge their bet.
Like the recent ending of HBO's "Sopranos" series, this concert and tour promise to spark a debate between those who want their art in a clear-cut, predictable form and those who are open to artists putting sometimes-flawed spins on their work.
The Police certainly could please more fans by playing at least a few more songs closer to their original form, which would be a wise move that doesn't require abandoning their overall desire for artistic evolution.
But like David Chase, creator of the "Sopranos," Sting, Copeland and Summers ultimately get the final cut.
Opening the show was Fictionplane, a trio led by bassist Joe Sumner, son of Sting (who was born Gordon Sumner).
The younger Sumner, who sings in a voice mirroring his father's, did a good job of getting the crowd to overcome its suspicion about how his 4-year-old band landed its gig.
He and guitarist Seton Daunt and drummer Pete Wilhoit are trying to put a more modern spin on the power trio, and their set showed promise.
Most Police-like and most well-received was the reggae-rocking single, "Two Sisters."
Police set list:
Message in a Bottle
Synchronicity II
Walking On the Moon
Voices Inside My Head
When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around
Don't Stand So Close To Me
Driven To Tears
The Bed's Too Big Without You
Truth Hits Everybody
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Wrapped Around Your Finger
De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
Invisible Sun
Walking in Your Footsteps
Can't Stand Losing You
Roaxanne
First encore:
King of Pain
So Lonely
Second encore:
Every Breath You Take
Next to You
Reach Rodgers at larry.rodgers@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-8043.
'
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AZPEARTPORTNOY - Posts: 367
- Joined: 04 Jun 2007 04:36
- Location: Peoria,AZ
by Divemistress of the Dark on 19 Jun 2007 16:52
Well, ain't that a kick in the pants...many of us here want new material, and reviewers are complaining the performances aren't enough like the originals.
Blah. I hate popular culture sometimes....
Blah. I hate popular culture sometimes....
On Google - site:stewartcopeland.net "your keyword here" - thanks DM!!
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Divemistress of the Dark - Posts: 7873
- Joined: 12 Jul 2006 14:10
- Location: Nashville, TN
by sockii on 19 Jun 2007 16:53
>Well, ain't that a kick in the pants...many of us here want new material,
>and reviewers are complaining the performances aren't enough like the
>originals.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Ain't that the truth?
>and reviewers are complaining the performances aren't enough like the
>originals.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Ain't that the truth?
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sockii - Posts: 4888
- Joined: 05 May 2005 02:05
- Location: Mercy Street
by animal on 19 Jun 2007 17:00
my 2 cents.
I guess hindsight is 20/20 had they done a Hit's tour as a majority crowd pleaser, with the original arrangements. There wouldn't be all this fuss & bother.
For me even though I never got to see them in the 80's. I can't wait to see them this time around with new arrangements, warts and all.
I guess we are in the minority, but I always do things differently.
I guess hindsight is 20/20 had they done a Hit's tour as a majority crowd pleaser, with the original arrangements. There wouldn't be all this fuss & bother.
For me even though I never got to see them in the 80's. I can't wait to see them this time around with new arrangements, warts and all.
I guess we are in the minority, but I always do things differently.
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animal - Posts: 2641
- Joined: 04 Feb 2006 02:18
- Location: Savoring the Book.
by policerule on 19 Jun 2007 19:18
hey.. that's "john's" problem... his loss if he can't enjoy himself. get some meds dude and leave the guys alone!
i liked the review. it's exactly like i am picturing it and it sounds just fine to me! stewart got the most accolades out of that guy, so he's alright in my book!
i liked the review. it's exactly like i am picturing it and it sounds just fine to me! stewart got the most accolades out of that guy, so he's alright in my book!
READY THE BLADE!
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policerule - Posts: 8142
- Joined: 24 Feb 2007 23:17
by Omaha_Perez on 19 Jun 2007 23:39
I was there, and yes, it was a fantastic show! I just arrived back in LA a couple of hours ago. I'll try to post my impressions this evening.
Omaha Perez
www.omahaperez.com
www.omahaperez.com
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Omaha_Perez - Posts: 191
- Joined: 19 May 2006 20:18
- Location: California
by sockii on 19 Jun 2007 23:41
>If you go to a police gig with your wife either your marriage came too
>early or your divorce didn't happen early enough ...!
So, erm, what does it say about me that I'm dragging my boyfriend to about five shows this summer (besides the fact that he's going to the Atlantic City show when I can't myself?!) And he's a member of this messageboard, no less?
>early or your divorce didn't happen early enough ...!
So, erm, what does it say about me that I'm dragging my boyfriend to about five shows this summer (besides the fact that he's going to the Atlantic City show when I can't myself?!) And he's a member of this messageboard, no less?
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sockii - Posts: 4888
- Joined: 05 May 2005 02:05
- Location: Mercy Street
by Omaha_Perez on 20 Jun 2007 04:53
I took a quick skim through that Arizona Republic review and I disagree strongly with a few of his statements. I'll start by saying that overall it was a truly fantastic show. All three of the guys were in fantastic form, Sting's voice and bass playing was great, Andy was outstanding, and Stewart's playing was as exciting as ever.
I've seen a lot of complaining on here and on the Police mailing list about the new arrangements, and for the most part I had no problem with them. Honestly, as long as they played "Message in a Bottle" and "Can't Stand Losing You" in the original form, they could have played Bee Gees covers the rest of the night and I'd still be happy (I hate the Bee Gees).
"Message" was excellent and of course the perfect opener. It's so great having THE POLICE play this material. I for one always felt offended, for lack of a better word, when Sting would trot out Police material at his solo shows (especially after he had abandoned the Blue Turtles direction).
"Synchronicity II" kept everyone on their toes and Andy's soloing was awesome - a preview of what was to come. "Walking on the Moon" - fantastic, an early highlight... the show was full of highlights in fact. "When the World is Running Down" and "Driven to Tears", both spectacular.
Two of the rearranged songs bothered me a bit. The first was "Don't Stand So Close To Me" which apart from Andy's guitar part mostly resembled the '86 version. The original is such a great tune and this version was just too slow. It was still fascinating to watch Stewart play but this is one of two tracks I would cut from the set list.
"Beds Too Big" was awesome but I really wanted an extended jam on that song! "Truth Hits Everybody" was the second arrangement that I disliked. They took that great fast and heavy tune and slo-o-o-wed it down, effectively taking the life out of it. I would drop that immediately. (Where's "Bring On the Night" or "Deathwish"? They've got to be a hell of a lot better than this.)
"Every Little Thing"- fantastic, Stewart really shined. "Wrapped Around Your Finger" - another highlight! They had such a great vibe going and Stewart's playing was excellent. "De Do Do" I remember Dietmar being disappointed in Vancouver and this Arizona reviewer didn't like it here - I thought they killed, it was great! "Walking in your Footsteps" - another surprising highlight...
I have to admit hearing "Can't Stand Losing You" start up was a little bittersweet, in that I knew it signaled the show was reaching its conclusion. This of course was amazing, mindblowing... and "Roxanne", I couldn't disagree more with the Arizona reviewer... another highlight for me, I thought it was outstanding, I just loved this rendition. The entire encore was outstanding in fact... "King of Pain", "So Lonely" (I don't know what that guy was talking about - maybe he's never heard a live version - this was the classic arrangement), "Every Breath"... and "Next to You"! What a great closer!
So I had a great time, loved the show! Andy really tore it up, Sting was great, and Stewart remains the most exciting drummer I've ever seen or heard. There are those two songs I'd like to see handled differently, but that didn't in any way dampen my overall experience. I'm excited to be seeing them again tomorrow and Saturday!
I've seen a lot of complaining on here and on the Police mailing list about the new arrangements, and for the most part I had no problem with them. Honestly, as long as they played "Message in a Bottle" and "Can't Stand Losing You" in the original form, they could have played Bee Gees covers the rest of the night and I'd still be happy (I hate the Bee Gees).
"Message" was excellent and of course the perfect opener. It's so great having THE POLICE play this material. I for one always felt offended, for lack of a better word, when Sting would trot out Police material at his solo shows (especially after he had abandoned the Blue Turtles direction).
"Synchronicity II" kept everyone on their toes and Andy's soloing was awesome - a preview of what was to come. "Walking on the Moon" - fantastic, an early highlight... the show was full of highlights in fact. "When the World is Running Down" and "Driven to Tears", both spectacular.
Two of the rearranged songs bothered me a bit. The first was "Don't Stand So Close To Me" which apart from Andy's guitar part mostly resembled the '86 version. The original is such a great tune and this version was just too slow. It was still fascinating to watch Stewart play but this is one of two tracks I would cut from the set list.
"Beds Too Big" was awesome but I really wanted an extended jam on that song! "Truth Hits Everybody" was the second arrangement that I disliked. They took that great fast and heavy tune and slo-o-o-wed it down, effectively taking the life out of it. I would drop that immediately. (Where's "Bring On the Night" or "Deathwish"? They've got to be a hell of a lot better than this.)
"Every Little Thing"- fantastic, Stewart really shined. "Wrapped Around Your Finger" - another highlight! They had such a great vibe going and Stewart's playing was excellent. "De Do Do" I remember Dietmar being disappointed in Vancouver and this Arizona reviewer didn't like it here - I thought they killed, it was great! "Walking in your Footsteps" - another surprising highlight...
I have to admit hearing "Can't Stand Losing You" start up was a little bittersweet, in that I knew it signaled the show was reaching its conclusion. This of course was amazing, mindblowing... and "Roxanne", I couldn't disagree more with the Arizona reviewer... another highlight for me, I thought it was outstanding, I just loved this rendition. The entire encore was outstanding in fact... "King of Pain", "So Lonely" (I don't know what that guy was talking about - maybe he's never heard a live version - this was the classic arrangement), "Every Breath"... and "Next to You"! What a great closer!
So I had a great time, loved the show! Andy really tore it up, Sting was great, and Stewart remains the most exciting drummer I've ever seen or heard. There are those two songs I'd like to see handled differently, but that didn't in any way dampen my overall experience. I'm excited to be seeing them again tomorrow and Saturday!
Omaha Perez
www.omahaperez.com
www.omahaperez.com
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Omaha_Perez - Posts: 191
- Joined: 19 May 2006 20:18
- Location: California
by nathanarizona on 20 Jun 2007 16:30
Thanks for the review, Omaha. Looking forward to your thoughts on LA.
'Cause it won't satiate your growing appetite
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nathanarizona - Posts: 126
- Joined: 08 Feb 2007 23:59
- Location: Texas
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