The Police Roll Call (7/20/07)

[westendgirl]

So by this did you mean that they sound like 50-somethings who prefer to play reeeeeaaaalll slow and that the lead singer wants the audience to perform the songs? (That really, really bugs me about bands. I paid to hear YOU sing, not me and the buncha drunks around me!!)  

I like how they're de-constructing the songs, so to speak.  Different breakdowns, etc.  

All in all pretty good show. I have finally seen The Police which is what I wanted to do so badly 24 years ago when I first got hooked on concert-going. I'll leave it to the critics to pick apart the songs, etc. My observations: Sting looked happy, hot and amazing, as usual, and Stewart and Andy looked miserable as hell. I know Stewart was working hard though. What a drum shop he's got! Fantastic drummer! Was Andy ever a good guitarist? He just seemed to be fumbling. Maybe that double chin was getting in the way. What a gorgeous night for a stadium show, eh?
 
 Definitely not worth the $250 I paid and a 5 hour and 20 minute drive from Tysons but a decent show. The next time I slip into a sudden bout of insanity please, please stop me from paying $250 to see a band!
 
 Now back to my regularly scheduled alt. music club shows -- Interpol, tonight, NorVa!

[Brian_Wallace]

Originally posted by 6949:
    Let me know how the view is from the the side.  

I had seats from the side.  They were great.  Good show.  I thought Andy Summers was really great.  I've never seen a show that big in which the guitarists never switched out instruments.  Summer's red Strat and Sting's battered Jazz must stay remarkably in tune.  Great concert but LOUD.  Had to buy the earplubs after Fiction Plane.
 
 Speaking of which, I think they (Fiction Plane) should have done a Police cover of something Daddy's band didn't do.  Like "Peanuts" or something.  Having a trio fronted by Sting's son is the closest you're going to get to The Police.
 
 Brian

[danknugz]

there's a recording of this show up on thetradersden if anyone's interested. i didnt grab it, but the sound is supposed to be pretty good.

[TheDirector217]

Originally posted by westendgirl:
  So by this did you mean that they sound like 50-somethings who prefer to play reeeeeaaaalll slow and that the lead singer wants the audience to perform the songs? (That really, really bugs me about bands. I paid to hear YOU sing, not me and the buncha drunks around me!!)  Sting looked happy, hot and amazing, as usual, and Stewart and Andy looked miserable as hell. I know Stewart was working hard though. What a drum shop he's got! Fantastic drummer! Was Andy ever a good guitarist? He just seemed to be fumbling. Maybe that double chin was getting in the way. What a gorgeous night for a stadium show, eh?
 
 Definitely not worth the $250 I paid and a 5 hour and 20 minute drive from Tysons but a decent show. The next time I slip into a sudden bout of insanity please, please stop me from paying $250 to see a band!
 
 Now back to my regularly scheduled alt. music club shows -- Interpol, tonight, NorVa!

Not quite sure what show you were at, but whatever.  To each their own . . . . Sting indeed looked very happy.  I would comment on Stuart, but frankly I couldn't see him behind that BIG ass drum kit.  Never seem so much drummage in my life! Andy was in FINE form.  He's one hell of a fuckin' guitarist, to say the least.  I paid $270, it was worth EVERY penny.  At Bonnaroo, they were really solid.  THIS however, was the amazing show I anticipated.  I had the time of my fuckin' life.  Already got tix for 3 more shows on the tour, and I most likely will buy more.  Matter a fact, I WILL buy more.  They definitely slowed the songs down, but these hits sound like almost completely new songs.  I have a new found appreciation for "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic."  That was one of the many highlights of the show.  They're extremely skilled musicians to say the least.  Sting's bass is really beat up looking, & Andy didn't switch his out either.  (He is a CRIMINALLY underrated guitarist.)  But don't take my word for it . . . .
 
 
 
  <img src="http://aycu36.webshots.com/image/22875/2005740012486646844_rs.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
 
 
 

[Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer]

Are we talking about the same band that Smackie panned only a few weeks ago?

[TheDirector217]

Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
  Are we talking about the same band that Smackie panned only a few weeks ago?

Even the great vansmack can be wrong.  Maybe he just caught 'em on the wrong night.  Fuck if I know.  I just know I saw some legendary shit on July, 20, 2007.  
 
  <img src="http://aycu22.webshots.com/image/23341/2005708693288819408_rs.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
  <img src="http://aycu34.webshots.com/image/22753/2005741760490381163_rs.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
  <img src="http://aycu18.webshots.com/image/22257/2005757991229844656_rs.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
  <img src="http://aycu32.webshots.com/image/24031/2005709270051153508_rs.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
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  <img src="http://aycu30.webshots.com/image/23149/2005732804797830780_rs.jpg" alt=" - " />

[TheDirector217]

<img src="http://aycu16.webshots.com/image/21415/2004692593442693157_rs.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
  <img src="http://aycu20.webshots.com/image/22099/2004627881646191974_rs.jpg" alt=" - " />

[yinzer]

yeah - that one.

[vansmack]

Originally posted by TheDirector217:
   I have a new found appreciation for "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic."  That was one of the many highlights of the show.  

He probably got the lyrics right this time!
 
 I'm glad you got everything you wanted out of it!  Maybe we just got an off night out here in the Bay Area...

[Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer]

Legendary? Truly?
 
 I just can't imagine the Police ever being more than a guilty pleasure.

[vansmack]

Originally posted by westendgirl:
  Definitely not worth the $250 I paid and a 5 hour and 20 minute drive from Tysons but a decent show. The next time I slip into a sudden bout of insanity please, please stop me from paying $250 to see a band!
 

I'm not entirely sure what else I could have said in my review of the Bay Area show to stop you from going...everything I complained about  in my review you complained about in yours.  Thankfully, I only paid $90.

[TheDirector217]

Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
  Legendary? Truly?
 
 I just can't imagine the Police ever being more than a guilty pleasure.

I've seen many a show, my friend.  I don't tend to operate in hyberbole.  The last show I left that amazed from was Iggy Pop here @ 9:30.  It's pleasing when you have a group/artist on a pedestal, & they live up to your expectations.  Just my perspective, right or wrong . . .

[walkonby]

anyone who pays that much for a show, either feels it was worth it or it was a rip.  the money controls the brainwaves of life.  eeg all the way to the atm.

[TheDirector217]

Originally posted by vansmack:
   

Originally posted by westendgirl:
  Definitely not worth the $250 I paid and a 5 hour and 20 minute drive from Tysons but a decent show. The next time I slip into a sudden bout of insanity please, please stop me from paying $250 to see a band!
 

I'm not entirely sure what else I could have said in my review of the Bay Area show to stop you from going...everything I complained about  in my review you complained about in yours.  Thankfully, I only paid $90. [/b]

Smackie, I think you may have been expecting the "punky" version of The Police (who did emerge for a nice portion of the show), as opposed to the jazzy/experimental Police which may be the source of your disappointment.  I like how they've played with the arrangements, & made more or less brand new songs out of classic rock standards.  Some people took your position.  Others have taken mine.  From the looks of the other 20,000 people around me minus the girl who named herself after my favorite Pet Shop Boys song, they seemed to lose their fuckin' minds as well.

[vansmack]

Originally posted by TheDirector217:
  I think you may have been expecting the "punky" version of The Police (who did emerge for a nice portion of the show), as opposed to the jazzy/experimental Police.

"Punky" = Police
 "jazzy/experimental" = Sting
 
 I wanted the much anticpated and promised Police reunion.  I got the less talked about Sting solo show with great backing muscians who were handcuffed.  But this has run it's course...
 
 I really am happy that you enjoyed the show.