Sting/The Police

Dudess

These guys are good examples of musicians it's not cool to like, when I doubt there's anyone who doesn't like at least one of their songs.
Even though he's a bit of a Bono lite, Gordon Sumner (Sting) has written and recorded some utterly quality songs. He's also a great lyricist and guitarist. That riff on Message in a Bottle is just awesome.

With The Police: Roxanne, Can't Stand Losing You, Don't Stand So Close To Me, Spirits In A Material World, Message In A Bottle, Everything She Does Is Magic, Wrapped Around Your Finger and the remarkable Invisible Sun (about NI and covered superbly by Therapy?). The slight reggae flavour to Walking On The Moon and So Lonely (or "Sue Lawley" ) works a treat too.
And though it's overplayed, Every Breath You Take is a fantastic, dark song.

Sting solo: The Russians (amazing track), Shape of My Heart (used to stunning effect in the closing credits of Leon), If You Love Somebody Set Them Free, Fields of Gold (just a beautiful number), Englishman in New York, Fragile, The Soul Cages. To be fair, the rest of his singles are cack.

stovelid

Have to agree. Also don't forget Stewart Copeland: one of the most influential drummers ever.

grumpytrousers

i'm in two minds about The Police. I find Stings 'screechy' voice to be a bit much at times. On the other hand, in their favour, there's the songs mentioned, Synchronicity Pt 2, King of Pain and the solo on EBYT. Who'da thunk one note played on a piano like that could work, huh; i think it's the 'oooohs' in the background that make it work so well.

as for his solo stuff, i only liked 'if i ever lose my faith' and 'when we dance'. I've yet to venture into the Lute playing territory

delbertgrady

Dudess wrote: »

He's also a great lyricist and guitarist. That riff on Message in a Bottle is just awesome.

I love The Police, but if you like their guitar riffs, it's Andy Summers you need to be praising. Also, his autobiography, One Train Later, is an exceptional rock memoir.
Copeland's documentary about life with The Police, Everyone Stares, is also superb. Well worth a look, even for casual fans.

damonjewel

Most of the songs you mention are on Outlandus D'amour and Regatta De Blanc, they are essential listening. After that it goes downhill. Don't like Stings solo stuff at all.

Dudess

delbertgrady wrote: »

if you like their guitar riffs, it's Andy Summers you need to be praising.

Ah... I stand corrected. It's just I saw Sting himself playing the Message In a Bottle riff live on some talk show and he was brilliant.

mike65

Oh dear Dudess Alan Partridge sums it up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oKDOIq3E3g

The Police were a great band that became an okay band cos Sting ended up turning them into his backing band (IMO). Stings solo stuff isn't worth turning the radio on for as a rule.

Mike

noby

I tend to agree with Mike. Some early Police stuff isn't too bad.

Dudess, that was an unfortunate mistake on MIAB, as the bass line is probably the simplest (yet effective) thing Sting has ever played. Andy Summers made that song.

Dudess

Sting did seem capable of playing the guitar well - going by that clip anyway.

mike65 wrote: »

The Police were a great band that became an okay band cos Sting ended up turning them into his backing band (IMO).

Yeah, the ego of that man seems utterly colossal.

noby

I don't doubt his guitar playing skills. Probably right up there with his lute playing.

KnifeWRENCH

"Every Breath You Take" seems to be universally loved. I've never liked it - the lyrics are good but I just don't like the music.
"Message In A Bottle" and "Roxanne" are ok, but they are both a bit too long.
Don't really like "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" or "Don't Stand So Close To Me" - don't hate them, just don't like them.
The only other song I know by them is "Can't Stand Losing You" and I do quite like that one.

So, based on the few songs I know by them, they're ok. But I wouldn't be rushing out to investigate their back catalogue.

Rented Mule

I actually prefer Stewart Copeland's songwriting to old Gordos.

ShawnRaven

I have much love for both. It does annoy me that when people discuss them, they don't bother pointing out examples of non released tracks that appeared on the albums, which is unfortunate. Especially from Ghost In The Machine as there are a lot of quality songs on that album, Sprits in The Material world isn't much of a classic. But Too Much Information, One World, and Demolition Man are great.

Speaking of Demolition Man, Sting's solo version of this he did for the movie of the same name is also worth checking out. The proper one, not the horrible remix that ended up on his first greatest hits compilation in 1994. And if you can get your hands on em, the Chicago sessions bootleg specifically for the best acoustic version of The Soul Cages out there.

ShawnRaven

noby wrote: »

Dudess, that was an unfortunate mistake on MIAB, as the bass line is probably the simplest (yet effective) thing Sting has ever played. Andy Summers made that song.

To Dudess' credit, Sting has no problems playing that riff. Didn't he do it at Live Aid?

Dudess

ShawnRaven wrote: »

It does annoy me that when people discuss them, they don't bother pointing out examples of non released tracks that appeared on the albums, which is unfortunate.

Yeah, should have made it clearer I'd only be acquainted with their singles...

bullpost

Grace Jones cover of Demolition Man is excellent - As is most everything else she did around that time.

noby

ShawnRaven wrote: »

To Dudess' credit, Sting has no problems playing that riff. Didn't he do it at Live Aid?

Firstly, I appear to have gotten my MIAB and EBYT mixed up, when talking about simple bass lines.

Secondly, as I have said I don't doubt his guitar playing skills. Flippent lute remark aside he seems a very capable musician on several instruments. The point was though, that Summers came up with these great riffs, and therefore deserves the credit.

Sorry, Dudess, for harking on about this.

mike65

OT Grace Jones does brilliant covers and has just released her first album in 20 years apparently it sounds as good as her classic Trevor Horn era.

Mike

MoominPapa

Starts about about 2mins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRflWy1_kt4

I loved to rap that fcukin lute round his head. Who does he think he is? Richie Blackmore??:mad:

stovelid

ShawnRaven wrote: »

I have much love for both. It does annoy me that when people discuss them, they don't bother pointing out examples of non released tracks that appeared on the albums, which is unfortunate..

+1

The best-of singles are consistently strong for me, but some of my favourite songs are less well know and just as strong:

Landlord
A sermon
Driven to Tears
Voices inside my head
Born in the 50s
Deathwish
Miss Gradenko
When the world is running down
Regatta De Blanc (track)
Synchronicity II

ShawnRaven

stovelid wrote: »

+1

The best-of singles are consistently strong for me, but some of my favourite songs are less well know and just as strong:

Landlord
A sermon
Driven to Tears
Voices inside my head
Born in the 50s
Deathwish
Miss Gradenko
When the world is running down
Regatta De Blanc (track)
Synchronicity II

YES!! I f*cking love that particular track. Especially when played live. Really got the crowd going. On the Synchronicity concert it's done during Can't Stand Losing You.

I can't remember if it was played in Croker last year though...

ShawnRaven

grumpytrousers wrote: »

as for his solo stuff, i only liked 'if i ever lose my faith' and 'when we dance'. I've yet to venture into the Lute playing territory

Get the Soul Cages, it was a fairly deep album. I believe he lost both his father at the time of recording it. In my honest opinion some of his best solo work was from that time period.

davylee

How do. i think the police were for the most part brill. Fantastic musicians deadly songs. their production is first class. When they broke up they were probably at their peak and one of the biggest bands in the world. Wise move i think. apparently they were never the same live. Not surprising. their songs were prob over produced to do as a 3 piece live but their records are the biz

ShawnRaven

davylee wrote: »

Wise move i think. apparently they were never the same live. Not surprising. their songs were prob over produced to do as a 3 piece live but their records are the biz

I'm gonna have to beg to differ there, i've seen several live boots from The Police and I honestly thought their sound was great for a three piece. Not that being a 3 piece has to hinder your sound. Take a good close look at Rush for an excellent example of that.

The reunion tour that took place last year, the songs were played differently intentionally to attempt to "freshen them up" after all, they were 25-30 year old songs, some of which they hadn't played in a very long time. I went to the gig in Croker, was about 10 rows from the front and had a f*cking blast.

ntlbell

i always thought the police were "cool" when did they become uncool?:mad:

ShawnRaven

ntlbell wrote: »

i always thought the police were "cool" when did they become uncool?:mad:

I missed the memo as well apparently...

davylee

ShawnRaven wrote: »

I'm gonna have to beg to differ there, i've seen several live boots from The Police and I honestly thought their sound was great for a three piece. Not that being a 3 piece has to hinder your sound. Take a good close look at Rush for an excellent example of that.

The reunion tour that took place last year, the songs were played differently intentionally to attempt to "freshen them up" after all, they were 25-30 year old songs, some of which they hadn't played in a very long time. I went to the gig in Croker, was about 10 rows from the front and had a f*cking blast.

fair enough i've never seen them live. You have me there. just going on reviews. i dont tink rush have as much production in there stuff as the police (thats why live they are similar enough to records) The pixies are a good example of real live band as they're live in the studio so they're live sound is always going to be straightforward and the songs will nearly idential

ShawnRaven

davylee wrote: »

fair enough i've never seen them live. You have me there. just going on reviews. i dont tink rush have as much production in there stuff as the police (thats why live they are similar enough to records) The pixies are a good example of real live band as they're live in the studio so they're live sound is always going to be straightforward and the songs will nearly idential

The first few Police albums didn't have a lot of production work involved. Synchronicity, yeah i'll give you that, but even Ghost In The Machine wasn't overdone. And even for Walking In Your Footsteps live on the Synchronicity, it sounded way better than the album version. If you can beg, borrow or steal a copy of the Synchronicity Concert, you'll see this for yourself.

There are bands i could pick apart where production hides their lack of ability to play live, The Cult (Astbury hasn't a note in his head live, sorry), Dido (same), and The Cranberries (an abortion of a concert) and even Madonna (worst Slane ever). I certainly wouldn't lump The Police into that category.

davylee

ShawnRaven wrote: »

The first few Police albums didn't have a lot of production work involved. Synchronicity, yeah i'll give you that, but even Ghost In The Machine wasn't overdone. And even for Walking In Your Footsteps live on the Synchronicity, it sounded way better than the album version. If you can beg, borrow or steal a copy of the Synchronicity Concert, you'll see this for yourself.

There are bands i could pick apart where production hides their lack of ability to play live, The Cult (Astbury hasn't a note in his head live, sorry), Dido (same), and The Cranberries (an abortion of a concert) and even Madonna (worst Slane ever). I certainly wouldn't lump The Police into that category.

dont quote me on this but it sounds to me there is huge work done on all instruments and vocals from what i have (outlandas damour and the greatest hits) which spans alot of their stuff.

ShawnRaven

Be more specific please?

Dudess

ntlbell wrote: »

i always thought the police were "cool" when did they become uncool?:mad:

ShawnRaven wrote: »

I missed the memo as well apparently...

Ah, Sting is considered "not cool to like", and thus, his old band has ended up in the same boat. Similar to Genesis/Phil Collins.
Not saying it's correct - I love songs by The Police, Sting, Genesis and even old Philo, just saying that's the stance the "cool" (and wanky) music press would take.

ntlbell

Dudess wrote: »

Ah, Sting is considered "not cool to like", and thus, his old band has ended up in the same boat. Similar to Genesis/Phil Collins.
Not saying it's correct - I love songs by The Police, Sting, Genesis and even old Philo, just saying that's the stance the "cool" (and wanky) music press would take.

They are? by whom? show yourselves!

Genisis are damn cool...

as is phil

and when the press doesn't think somethings cool you know it's _really_ cool

ShawnRaven

Dudess wrote: »

Ah, Sting is considered "not cool to like", and thus, his old band has ended up in the same boat. Similar to Genesis/Phil Collins.
Not saying it's correct - I love songs by The Police, Sting, Genesis and even old Philo, just saying that's the stance the "cool" (and wanky) music press would take.

Hah, Eminem is considered cool. But you can have a guess what i think of someone who suffers from "exhaustion" from sitting around rapping over other peoples samples.

davylee

ShawnRaven wrote: »

Be more specific please?

loads of overdubbing on drums and effects all over the place
fantastic harmonies and backing everywhere but all done by sting which can't be done live
2 and 3 guitars in songs
bass mainly just effects i think which is good for live

ShawnRaven

davylee wrote: »

loads of overdubbing on drums and effects all over the place
fantastic harmonies and backing everywhere but all done by sting which can't be done live
2 and 3 guitars in songs
bass mainly just effects i think which is good for live

I'd really like to know exactly which songs you're referring to with all of these...

There weren't that much backing on the earlier albums (that i noticed, with Synchronicity being the exception)

Live, on some tours they did have backing singers, notibably the Synchronicity tour

2-3 Guitars in songs? You sure that wasn't just Summers effects rack?

Effects in bass? Care to give some examples please?

davylee

ShawnRaven wrote: »

I'd really like to know exactly which songs you're referring to with all of these...

There weren't that much backing on the earlier albums (that i noticed, with Synchronicity being the exception)

Live, on some tours they did have backing singers, notibably the Synchronicity tour

2-3 Guitars in songs? You sure that wasn't just Summers effects rack?

Effects in bass? Care to give some examples please?

theres at least 2 guitars on message, cant stan loosing you, next to to you, so lonely, born in the 50's, walking on the moon peanuts
drums overdubbed and looped loads on message and walking
possibly the most important thing is the vocal e.g. roxanne
(but really on lots of their stuff) What did they do all the times it was just a raw 3 piece.
I will (especially after this) get a copy of synchronicity. want to find out more about them live now. Much of what im saying is based on i hear listening to records . Played in a 3 piece (not quite as good as the police mind) and i always though it would take at least 4 or 5 to reproduce the records live

ShawnRaven

davylee wrote: »

theres at least 2 guitars on message, cant stan loosing you, next to to you, so lonely, born in the 50's, walking on the moon peanuts
drums overdubbed and looped loads on message and walking

Wrong, they're all delay pedals. Message in a bottle can easily be done with a chorus pedal too. All were replicated live as well.

possibly the most important thing is the vocal e.g. roxanne
(but really on lots of their stuff) What did they do all the times it was just a raw 3 piece.
I will (especially after this) get a copy of synchronicity. want to find out more about them live now. Much of what im saying is based on i hear listening to records . Played in a 3 piece (not quite as good as the police mind) and i always though it would take at least 4 or 5 to reproduce the records live

Without sounding like a smartass, but you're so gonna be proved wrong when you get that. It was reissued on DVD about five years ago so it's not hard to find. That wasn't a case of over production. It was a case of three guys who knew how to use their instruments well for their time.

mike65

Sure Rush have proved how to play complex "multi-part" tracks for 30 years.

Mike

ShawnRaven

On and off a stage too!

Declan A Walsh

Well, I always thought that The Police brought something extra when performing live. It was hard to believe they were a three-piece with all the sound generated. All three were virtuoso musicians in their chosen instruments, and Sting, in particular, was a very talented songwriter. He had a very recognisable vocal, which, I suppose, could be slightly irritating.

I saw The Police live in Croke Park and I thought their arrangements of their mainly well-known tunes was brilliant - some of it was a bit like Sting in his solo jazz mode. By the way, they did perform "Regatta de Blanc".
Many years ago I bought their first and last albums - Outlandos D'Amour and Synchronicity. They are two very different sounds - one being a series of raw and mainly quick songs with a hint of reggae and new wave, the other was sophisticated multi-layered, with many instruments, adult pop. For me, both work and stand on their own feet. Great tunes on both albums. I have heard some other top tracks from their other albums too.

Harking back to Sting's solo stuff. I think it varies between excellent and just ok, but I can't recall any of his songs being intolerable to listen to. For my money, Sting's fist solo outing - Dream of The Blue Turtle - is a great album. It was also quite a departure from The Police's rock-oriented sound to a more jazz-oriented and adult sound. There are a number of great tunes on that album. Sting has penned a few haunting tunes since then, such as Fragile and When We Dance.

davylee

ShawnRaven wrote: »

Wrong, they're all delay pedals. Message in a bottle can easily be done with a chorus pedal too. All were replicated live as well.

Not the biggest police fan but do like them. More of a music and sound fan.
Will get that gi
Summers must be good to be able to play rhythm and then lead over it.
must ring up boss and ask the for one of them pedals

sparkzter

Aahhh The Police, a great band alright! Like you said, everyone likes at least one of their songs! And "Message In A Bottle" is a true classic! Stings "Fields Of Gold" will always be remembered too, but I do wish that everyone would stop covering it- it seems to get hammered alot...

ShawnRaven

davylee wrote: »

Summers must be good to be able to play rhythm and then lead over it.
must ring up boss and ask the for one of them pedals

I've yet to hear him play a solo over another guitar. That's usually Sting's bass work that does the backing. King Of Pain is a classic example, De do do do de da da da is another example. Message in a bottle is very doable with pedals.

Might wanna go over their songs again there.

suzy66

If you're fans of the Police, Check out a band called Fiction Plane and see what you think of them

musicmaster

Hey guys,

I recently managed to get my hands on a sample Signed Limited Edition (1500 worldwide) copy of Andy Summers book "Ill be watching you - Inside the police 1980-83".

It comes in a gorgeous black card box covered with felt. The pages edges are silver brushed and on the inside it says:

"This book is copy number 0000 in a worldwide edition of one thousand five hundred copies"

Below its signed in thick blue marker by him and under that is printed:

Andy Summers Los Angeles, 2006.

A few honest points: It has a neat little sticker strip mark on top where Sample was peeled off inside but it will come off easily with an eraser end. It also has a second Sample sticker on the page after the autograph which can be easily taken off too I'd imagine...

I work in the book trade and feel it could be worth quite a bit but I'm afraid of floggin' it for cents on eBay or somethin' ya know?

Any ideas of what it could be worth or anythin'?


Thanks a mill in advance.

PS. Pics available on request, just PM me and I'll e-mail 'em right over...

DerekD Goldfish

*shudders *
Id rather listen to the crazy frog than sting and his faux Jamaican accent.
An abomination of a band fronted by one of the most annoying men in music.

Their are few bands I dislike as much

rednik

Best blu ray concert released to date. The Police - Certifiable. Fantastic picture and sound quality of these great musicians live on stage.

keefg

Outlandos d'Amour was the very first album I bought with my pocket money when I was a kid, have loved them ever since.

nyarlothothep

Dudess wrote: »

Even though he's a bit of a Bono lite, Gordon Sumner (Sting) has written and recorded some utterly quality songs.

pfft, he's only the rockstar Bono wanted to be. Sting does yoga, save rainforests while doing car commercials, has appeared in dodgy movies (dune) and has tantric sex, what has bono got? Hanging out with the pope and making vague statements.