So saw the Police concert the other week...

facethebass · #1 08-02-2007, 07:37 PM

I know Sting is a bit of a mixed bag here. He does not consider himself a particularly good bassist but I really think he does himself a disservice by not crediting his musicianship. Not wanting to rehash the 'try singing his songs and playing some of his lines' threads..I just think he gives the song what it needs. no more, no less. So I am a huge Sting fan. That much we know.

In Toronto the other week, Sting really seemed to kick it in a few tunes with a certain vigor and pride on his bass that I hadn't seen in previous concerts (83 and also a couple years ago). He and Stewart really let it go on Voices inside my head(personal fave) and When the world is running down.

Nice to see. Absolutely the best entertainment around.

jeff7k · #2 08-30-2007, 05:53 PM

I'm a longtime guitarist/frontman who has recently switched to bass. I am a huge Sting fan. His bass lines are incredibly catchy and are often the hook of the song - think of "Walking on the Moon." His reggae-influenced triplets and off-beat synchronicity (pun intended) with the kick drum give the songs exactly what they need. I think his restraint and simplicity are part of his genius.

reens · #3 08-31-2007, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by facethebass

Nice to see. Absolutely the best entertainment around.

Tell me, was he getting a good sound/mix thru the big PA ... ?

**Rune Bivrin** · #4 08-31-2007, 12:58 AM

Saw them yesterday in Stockholm, on their second night. Awesome!

I say them in back in '83 as well, and on both occasions one of the things that struck me was the excellent sound. Now, it's admittedly easier with fewer instruments, but still. Getting good sound in the Stockholm Globe Arena is a masterful achivement. It's a sonic disaster.

Now, Stings bass sound was definitely of the more butt-shaking variety. Not a lot of clarity, and I suspect he was using an Octaver a lot of the time. He seemed to get rather plenty of lows even when playing around the twelvth fret. Looking at his hands in the big screens over the scene, sometimes you could hardly see he was playing. But you could hear/feel it. It's a very special technique, I'll say that!

Stewart is fantastic behind those drums. Must have thrown away some 20 drumsticks. I think he does that on purpose!

Andy was - well - Andy... Glorious comping, some decidedly humorous soloing and some terriffic flubs. But I think he does that on purpose too!

funkysurfer · #5 08-31-2007, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reens

Tell me, was he getting a good sound/mix thru the big PA ... ?

He sounded awesome down in Miami. From what I remember, his bass sounded pretty warm, deep and honky. It made me really appreciate the quality of tone & personality a vintage instrument can produce.

davetakis · #6 08-31-2007, 10:53 AM

sting and the police could recite the phone book and i would think it was awesome.

saw them 2 times in dallas tx and i am going to the atlanta show. 15th row. 250.00. whooooohoooo

Mojo-Man · #7 08-31-2007, 02:45 PM

Sting can do no wrong with me.

jitter · #8 09-02-2007, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkysurfer

He sounded awesome down in Miami. From what I remember, his bass sounded pretty warm, deep and honky. It made me really appreciate the quality of tone & personality a vintage instrument can produce.

Apparently he plays an aged Fender Custom Shop replica of his bass:

Quote:

On the tour, Mr. Summers's bandmate Sting is playing a replica of his worn 1955 Fender Precision bass. The company says it made just one copy for him, and hasn't approached Sting about a production model of his instrument.

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118798577900108191.html