March 2003 - Police - mailman.xmission.com

Re: [Police] Way to Go Stew
by Rhythmatist17＠aol.com 18 Mar '03

18 Mar '03

SOMEDUDE, you are probably the smartest "dude" around. Stewart Copeland is not only the BEST FUCKING DRUMMER OF ALL TIME, he is still kind of a kid at heart. He looked like he was having the time of his life playing with those two, meanwhile "King of Shitheads", aka Sting, looked like he had somewhere else he wanted to be. Stewart gets to play with the likes of Trey Anastasio and Les Claypool letting a whole new generation realize the genius of his drumming. All sorts of new drummers, Taylor Hawkins and Chad Smith have listed Stewart and their biggest influence. SOMEDUDE you are totally right, Way to go Stew!!!!!!

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HOF...A Couple of Observations
by brian.d.thompson＠gsk.com 17 Mar '03

17 Mar '03

Yes, just like everyone else I too was severely disappointed by the cutting of MIAB, but I hope that the footage or the full sound recording will end up seeing the light of day eventually (bootlegged?). Judging from the stories we've heard, that was probably Stewart's best song too! A couple of things I really liked: - SC's drumming was fantastic! I'm sure he's been looking forward to this performance for a long time, so he really seemed into it the most of the three of them. - I really like how Sting did the "intro's" for Andy and Stewart and the end of EBYT. It was just like a Police concert back in the day! I didn't expect that at all (though he should have left the "guest singers" out of it). Sting was in great form as usual. Andy did seem less into the performance than the other two, but I didn't think his playing was bad. Of course there's the whole issue of some of his part being redubbed for the broadcast, but obviously I have no knowledge of that. I've seen Andy live twice in NYC ('97 and '99) and his playing was fantastic, so I know he's still got it in him. Though he has aged the worst of the three (but to be fair he is ten years older). The whole affair was somewhat bittersweet because the whole time you're watching it you can't help but think in the back of your mind that this is definitely it for the Police. I would have preferred to have seen a different song than EBYT (I've never really cared for it live even on the Synchronicity tour; it lacks the sinister quality of the studio track) but I understand why they played it. I would have loved to have seen So Lonely or Can't Stand Losing You because they truly are Police tracks (Sting has never performed them on solo tours), but I knew that wasn't going to happen. It was a real treat to finally get to see a new live performance. And even though it's almost certainly the final curtain for the Police, I'll never give up on that 0.001% chance of a reunion. After all, even Sting himself has admitted that when it comes to his musical future he has learned to "never say never."

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VH1
by SOMEDUDE20＠aol.com 17 Mar '03

17 Mar '03

Hello gang, I wrote VH1 like a good boy and haven't heard anything as of yet. However, I did go to VH1.com and had a look around at all things Police. They have a trivia gam, got all 5 right and it told me to write their biography. They have some clips from different Police videos as well as a good bio on the band. No live Message though! I know that some of you listen/like Fiction Plane and I was happy to see that AOL has a story about them as well as a song that you can download.

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Andy's sound
by mark george 17 Mar '03

17 Mar '03

I agree with Brian that it was a guitar effects issue that has stirred posts of Andy being "off." Three things differed in his performance vs. the original recordings. 1. He was using much more distortion - the original versions of Roxanne and EBYT (and also the way Andy usually played them live) used a clean guitar channel. 2. He was using the neck pickup which favors a bass sound. This is standard for jazz playing, but the Police guitar sound has always relied on heavy use of treble. 3. Where was his famous Telecaster? You know, that beat up black and orange beauty (there's a picture of it in the EBYT singles CD sleeve). This is his signature axe, it's a part of the Police as much as Andy is. All in all, Andy's playing was great. His abilty to improvise and keep you guessing has continued to improve over the years. I do think there were overbuds during the broadcast. Watch closely during EBYT: you can hear the plucking of a chord, but his hand is off the strings and turning a volume knob. Not seeing "Message" was a huge dissapointment. I will write VH1 as we all should, although I doubt it will accomplish anything besides easing my personal anger a bit. Stew proved yet again that he is the premier rock drummer of our time. He was so fluent and powerful. Overplaying.....please. If you want less drum, listen to Sting with Manu or Vinnie. I'll take Stew every day of the week and twice on Sunday. --Mark _________________________________________________________________ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

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Sting in LA for Oscars? / Andy at Baked Potation 3/22
by Steve Roberts 17 Mar '03

17 Mar '03

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HOF on VH1
by David Lucky 17 Mar '03

17 Mar '03

Did I miss something or did VH1 edit the dang show down so much that they even cut Message in a Bottle out. Tell me if I missed it but do they have so much content that cant squeeze in another 5 minutes for a band that reunited for the first time in 18 years and they have exclusive coverage. Dumbfounding. And rolling the credits over EBYT - what couldnt wait to get it over. I found it all a little dissapointing - I mean dont get me wrong it was absolutely great to see them play together again. Also, I read that the show was going to be simulcast on Westwood one Radio stations - and I couldnt friggin' find a station broadcasting it here - in NY. I may have just missed it but anybody know? Thanks D __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Web Hosting - establish your business online http://webhosting.yahoo.com

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RE: [Police] More comments
by Michelle Manoni 17 Mar '03

17 Mar '03

Okay, just this comment alone made me laugh and laugh! I saw the brief cut of Tyler, John Mayer and Gwen (?) rehearsing backstage, and all I could think was I didn't know there was one person on the face of this earth that didn't know the words to EBYT. It's not as if the lyrics are complex and only sang one time, and it's not as if this song never gets airplay...but maybe Sting isn't Tyler's cup of tea! (Just a thought.) > p.s. I think Steven Tyler should learn the words to songs before he decides > to jam with a band and butcher their great songs (if I were Brian or Angus, > I'd want his head). > Anyway, a belated thanks to Deb and Jer for their wonderful reviews of the actual show, and the others who reported as well (sorry, can't remember your names!). I would have loved to have been there, especially for the rehearsals; those would be priceless, I think, even better than the actual performance. I will join the rest and say I was sorely disappointed not to hear Message, but am glad for what they played, better than nothing! And really loved all the clips of interplay between the three of them. It does seem as if they truly respect each other, and really, how much are dynamics going to change between people? Wonderful to see. Ah, well, I dreamed about their playing last night, and I guess that's how it will remain! Michelle Manoni Troy, Michigan

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RE: [Police] More comments
by Fabricio Silva 17 Mar '03

17 Mar '03

Andy is an awesome guitar player who had a bad night! His sound was awful. I'm also pretty sure he overdubed his guitar parts because he messed up a verse in MIAB but it sounded correct on the broadcast. Nonetheless, he can smoke just about any other guitar player (save Angus Young) that was there on Monday night. Stewart is an amazing drummer, but definitely overplays. How can you possibly break a snare skin on a song like EBYT... Trini had it right the first time. Passion = feel NOT power. Sting... what can you say? He truly is a superstar. p.s. I think Steven Tyler should learn the words to songs before he decides to jam with a band and butcher their great songs (if I were Brian or Angus, I'd want his head). -----Original Message----- From: Deborah J. Gee To: police(a)mailman.xmission.com Sent: 3/17/03 12:40 AM Subject: [Police] More comments Like you haven't heard enough from me today...never mind every day before, but I feel inclined to add a little what was scene. Not only was a lot cut, but the mix on the tv was dramatically different to what was heard on the night. For example Steven Tyler on the night sounded great with AC/DC and sounded ok with the Police, but on this, he sounded like some warbling fool with a werewolf complex, and completely ruined EBYT. John Mayer, love him or hate him would have been a better candidate for increased volume. I am also going to say that even though Andy still sounded at best average for a senior citizen !! (60 years old) I think he may of actually re recorded his guitar tracks for the tv, as once again they sounded totally different on the tv. For those that didn't read this, Andy went AWOL before the show, and during the Clash and AC/DC the security were running around the place trying to find him. Stewart was wonderul as stated, he was and is still my drumming inspiration, if it weren't for him, I wouldn't have gone and bought my Tama imperial stars, my octobans and Paiste Rudes... Singing aside, I thought Steven Tylers speech for AC/DC was fantastic Jeremy _______________________________________________ Police mailing list Police(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/police

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admittedly...
by foxie 17 Mar '03

17 Mar '03

today's admissions include: i admit that i thought vh-1's coverage of the HoF was cool. "what?!!!" many of you are probably asking "how could HE be happy about that lame coverage? of all people, rich, the keeper of the police reunion flame?" because i went into last nite's viewing knowing that it vh-1 would F it up and we, the police fans, would all be screwed. it is just the way it is. unfortunately, the music industry is run and/or dominated by people like kurt loder, who think music "news" is where madonna shops, where courtney love goes to the movies and, last but not least, where bruce springsteen vacations in europe. if you looked at the end credits, joel gallen was the show's producer: joel used to work at mtv, being the producer of several mtv award shows in the mid-90s, the common theme of all of them is that they were too busy trying to be cool, meanwhile missing opportunities that were right in front of them. anyway, to quote yes, the key to not being enraged and/or disappointed about last nite was to "shoot high, aim low". what annoyed me the most was edge's statement when inducting the clash - that the clash were the best rock band ever, qualifying STING NOT THE POLICE as doing "the white reggae thing". right. good thing that "white reggae thing" broke up when it did and allowed your "sonic folk" band to spread its wings because, if they hadn't, you guys would have finished the 80s like you started it - in the shadow of the police! i admit that, while i lead the charge to bash the selection of gwenie as inductor, i thought she did a good job. i thought she was most sincere and her love for the police was most obvious - although i didn't care for the "one of my all-time favorite bands" comment - "one of"? i would have rather they got inducted by someone who could say, like tom morello did of the clash "the police are my favorite band". but anyway, it was acceptable. i admit that i sit here today, proud of sting for the way he acted - like a band member, not someone who outgrew the band and was better/above the band. you could see that their affection/respect for one another is still there. the backstage and rehearsal banter was just hysterical! sting cannot say one thing without stewart contradicting him, and vice versa. it will never change! a riot! did you catch sting showing andy the chords of EBYT? ha! i thought it most classy for him to pull andy and stewart back onto the center of the stage and take a bow. also to acknowledge miles and kim. i admit that i also thought the "roxanne" arrangement was good. true, it was the "sting" version, but ask yourselves this: does the "sting" version feature such OUTSTANDING drum work? absolutely not!!!! stewart played the HELL out of it, showing one and how intricate he can be. of the three of them, i thought stewart came across the best musically. all in all, what with the forces working against them, i thought it came off well. i agree that vh-1 should be taken to task and hope that it will do some good. i am getting a copy of the show from vh-1 - literally (i work with someone who's wife works there). should it include the whole "set", i will let you know. but i will shoot high and aim low on that as well... long live the police, greatest band - rock or otherwise- E V E R... rich __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Web Hosting - establish your business online http://webhosting.yahoo.com

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Argentinos solamente.
by Asisthos - Gustavo Enriquez 17 Mar '03

17 Mar '03

Atención fans en Argentina: Como diantres puede hacerse para conseguir una copia de la actuación de The Police en la ceremonia del HOF ? Lo único que pude ver fue un flash en la CNN el sábado a la noche (en inglés) donde apenas se mencionaba el tema... Los canales de música por cable de los que disponemos, lamentablemente para los que pagamos un abono, son una basura. Saludos a todos. Gustavo. mailto:genriquez@asisthos.com.ar>

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