Aside from the few mistakes, the show on the 30th far surpassed the show on the 28th in energy, song arrangements trueness to original Police sound. Unlike the show on the 28th, I walked out of there thinking I had just seen the Police as a band--not a Sting show. On Jun 2, 2007, at 6:30 PM, Stingfan222@aol.com wrote:
Hey Chris, The 30th was labeled the "lame" one? I thought it was the rehearsal show. I too, had seen them back in the 80's and am beside myself with joy having the opportunity to see them again. Never really felt complete without that "happy ending" for my favorite band. For myself, a few things could have made it perfect, but that's just me. I don't like the couple of "stingified" songs, but that's my problem. They're good, but just not the way I want them, nor want to remember them. I should grow up and accept the fact that they've aged like a fine wine, but I want energy, I want THE POLICE at a Police concert, not Sting. The ONE song I wanted as is was "Voices" and it was totally ruined for me, but I'm NOT complaining, mind you! The best band in the world is back together and I'm going to cherish every show I manage to get to. As far as them putting new music out... hope so, but highly doubt it. What I WISH they would have done was had professional recordings of every show released (including Fiction Plane) that we could purchase either on site or order. I'd happily shell out more money I don't have just to remember that night. Again, not complaining, I sit here with a big grin on my face!!! Michelle in TX
In a message dated 6/2/07 3:15:58 PM, chris@redrooffs.com writes:
I've been lurking here since the reunion announcement. I was on the list in the early 1990s.
I was at the May 30 show (the "lame" one). I last saw the Police in Vancouver on August 31, 1983 at the Pacific Coliseum. 24 years later my memory of the Synchronicity show is fairly good, but of course it's a long time ago.
I may write a more complete review later, but here are a few of my impressions and thoughts.
Overall, although there were mistakes and a few miscues, I think the band played better. I remember them admitting that they didn't rehearse for the Synchronicity tour (they weren't even talking at that point), and the Vancouver rehearsals for this tour have paid off. A related factor is that all three have a quarter-century of additional professional experience.
I was tempted to say that the earlier show had more energy, but I'm not sure. There was obviously a huge buzz in '83 because when they played Vancouver they were the biggest band in the world. This energy also carried the 1983 performance to some extent, for both audience and Sting, Andy, and Stewart. However, I don't think I have ever heard a crowd as loud as Vancouver the other night after the first encore.
I'm not one for nostalgia. Most bands I listened to when I was younger haven't aged well for me. I listen mostly to new music; there's a lot of great stuff. However, when the reunion tour was announced I dutifully put Message In A Box on my iPod. Most of the stuff still sounds pretty fresh (although aside from the first three tracks, Ghost now sounds muddy to me). That's more than you can say about a lot of bands of the era. But there's something still vital to this music for me. Maybe it's the one band that really means something to me still.
So I appreciated hearing "The Bed's Too Big," enjoyed "Every Little Thing," the new "Moon" bass line, and so on. I had a great time. Even "Wrapped Around Your Finger" (the verse, at least) seemed more "Police" to me than it did in the summer of 1983. Unfortunately they didn't play any of my Synchronicity favourites (Synchronicity I, O My God, Tea in the Sahara). Andy Summers had several problems with his guitar; I thought it was often mixed too low.
I am tempted to say that the real test will be whether any new material is produced, and if so what it's like. They set the bar pretty high in their earlier career. I think they had an impact partly because they did five albums in six years. Can they do it again? As players, sure. The question is whether Sting can write any decent songs appropriate to the group. I followed him closely for his first three solo albums, thought Tales was a holding pattern, and it deteriorated from there to the point at which I didn't even buy the last (pre-lute) one.
The crowd clearly love all three of them; this really struck me and it must have struck Sting, as well. A huge roar erupted when he sang "welcome to the Stewart Copeland show." The Police is almost a supergroup.
I'm glad they're back. But I want new material. Better do it quickly; Andy is 64 years old.
Chris =
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