And here's my review for the Sunday's concert.
PS Rich (Ryder), I never got the chance to thank you for your help and
suggestions for the Boston pre-sales. My apologies. Thank you.
Tonight's concert in Denver was as amazing and exciting as Saturday's. Very
energetic show, it really felt like the band even gave more than what I thought
was possible. The setlist was the same except they came out a fourth time to
close with "Next To You" where on Saturday they played "Every Breath You Take"
and "Next To You" back to back. After "Synchronicity II", Sting didn't do his
usual funny way of introduction by saying, "Stewart, this is Andy" and then
turning to Stewart and saying, "Andy, this is Stewart". Instead it
was, "The legendary Andy Summers" and "Equally legendary Stewart Copeland". He
did repeat Saturday's joke after "Don't Stand So Close To Me", though, about
Denver being the Mile High city where the men have all the white cells and the
women, the red! "Driven To Tears" just knocked me out with its energy. Stewart's
powerful drumming on Sting's arresting bass was worth the admission alone. Andy
couldn't repeat the blistering solo he did on Saturday but it was still great
and he brought it home alright. Stewart ripped his snare drum's skin during
"Walking On the Moon" and told Sting to wait up till they changed his snare.
Sting asked Stewart if a pig had to die every time he got a new skin for his
snare. Both Stewart and Sting counted the 1, 2, 3, 4 in synch before a spotless
take of "Truth Hits Everybody". "The Bed's Too Big Without You" was wonderful.
This might be a personal thing but how I wish Sting performed this song the way
he does on the mono version, specially the part where he sings "Everyday just
the same" in that high register. I've always preferred this over the standard
"Reggatta de Blanc" version. It's still so nice that they end the song the way
the mono version ends. When it comes to high register, the same could be said
about "De Do Do Do" where he sings the build-up to chorus "When their eloquence
escapes me, their logic ties me up and rapes me" lines an octave lower than the
original recording. Of course this is understandable since that could get his
vocal chords shot, a crucial thing he will be needing for another eight songs or
so! He didn't do the "Bonanza" bit this time before "Can't Stand Losing You" but
he did talk about "Rawhide" and how he used to watch it on Wednesdays in the old
days!
Out of the three Vancouver and these two Denver concerts I saw, I
had the best seats for this one, 2nd row, section AAA, seat 1. Only in my
wildest dreams I imagined seeing The Police this close. This has happened with
me for Sting more than a few times but with The Police, I mean to see them this
close, I consider it a true miracle. It only took a quarter century to happen to
me. The wait was well worth it!
Right after the band left the stage, I
approached the rail and waited for Danny Quatrochi to come back out after taking
Sting's bass inside. I kindly asked him if I could have Sting's setlist and I
felt like a four year old boy handed the best ice cream out of the truck when he
reached out and handed it to me (I will attach a scan of it here. Note the chord
changes on "Don't Stand", "Truth Hits Everybody" and "Every Little Thing She
Does is Magic").
For all those who haven't seen this tour yet, yes, you
too will soon be walking on the moon! Your pockets being empty, will make you
even lighter and that'll make it all the easier to walk, believe me, so it's OK!
There's always plenty of work to make money again!
Thank you for reading,
Koko