Why does Sting polarise people?

[Billbassoz]

Through years of following The Police and Sting's solo career I've noticed how divided people's opinions of his bass playing can be. Often you get the "he has no chops" line (usually from jazz musos) or you'll get the other extreme that he's a hero and can do know wrong. Personally I think this is due to a number of factors. One is where he actually sits as a musician. Sting has come from a background in jazz and has often used that to embellish his songwriting and playing but he is not strictly a jazz musician, He states that he spent a lot of time building his technique up but generally plays very simply and he's known more as a singer/songwriter/popstar than as a serious musician. IMO Sting is not a virtuoso like Jaco or Stanley Clarke but is none the less a very competent and well rounded bass-player. He plays to his strengths namely a great ear and a sound theoretical knowledge to compile effectively simple and sometimes beautiful bass lines. I am of the opinion that you don't have to be a virtuoso to be a great bass player and that Sting fits in very well with people such as Colin Moulding (XTC), Graham Maby, Derek Forbes (Simple Minds) Matthew Seligman as great bass players who emerged from the post punk seen of the early eightees. What do you think?

[Ric5]

I neither like him nor hate him ... some of the song with the police were pretty good ...

[JimmyM]

I agree. Unfortunately, as the Police got successful, Sting's head disappeared up his own butt. But as a bassist, he's great.

[scottice]

He plays very competent bass lines WHILE singing. Very few can do this as well. I'll give him the thumbs up any day!

I think his simple lines are actually not so simple. I really enjoy most everything the Police has put out... and I also enjoy a lot of his solo recordings. He has an ear and mega talent that most can only dream to aspire to. He just ended a tour that is the 3rd highest grossing of all-time.

Plus, I think he's so damned cool as a mod on a scooter with a bunch of mirrors!


That being said, he's probably an *******. I hope to never meet him.

[CelinderMotoMan]

Sadly some people equate having "chops" to being a great bassist. Those people have never tried to play and sing in an odd time signature.

[Bassmickeyd]

Gil Evans said that one of his favorite bass lines was Walking On The Moon.
Sting does Sting very well.
And he has been beat up by some of the worlds best drummers.
Not too many bass players can put that on their resume.

[GeneralElectric]

Originally Posted by CelinderMotoMan

Sadly some people equate having "chops" to being a great bassist. Those people have never tried to play and sing in an odd time signature.

+1 which is why Rick Danko is very underrated

[Brad Johnson]

I've always liked what Sting does and learned a long time ago that more notes doesn't necessarily mean better musician. His chops are fine IMO.

My guess is that many hate him because they're jealous. I'm not jealous so it all works out just fine.

[Psychicpet]

I think it's because he writes great songs, plays great basslines, but has the pretty boy pompous a$$ look that make you wanna punch him in the teeth

[jsingles]

i dont care if hes a pro or a noob, plenty of his music is pretty good.

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by Billbassoz

Through years of following The Police and Sting's solo career I've noticed how divided people's opinions of his bass playing can be. Often you get the "he has no chops" line (usually from jazz musos) or you'll get the other extreme that he's a hero and can do know wrong. Personally I think this is due to a number of factors. One is where he actually sits as a musician. Sting has come from a background in jazz and has often used that to embellish his songwriting and playing but he is not strictly a jazz musician, He states that he spent a lot of time building his technique up but generally plays very simply and he's known more as a singer/songwriter/popstar than as a serious musician. IMO Sting is not a virtuoso like Jaco or Stanley Clarke but is none the less a very competent and well rounded bass-player. He plays to his strengths namely a great ear and a sound theoretical knowledge to compile effectively simple and sometimes beautiful bass lines. I am of the opinion that you don't have to be a virtuoso to be a great bass player and that Sting fits in very well with people such as Colin Moulding (XTC), Graham Maby, Derek Forbes (Simple Minds) Matthew Seligman as great bass players who emerged from the post punk seen of the early eightees. What do you think?

Why? I don't know. I tried to get it, but still can't. It's amazing what a "lightening rod" he seems to be for snippy/snarky comments.

Anyways...

When moved to do so, Sting can play some relatively complicated/technical things on a bass:
The Police- Dead End Job
- Spirits in the Material World
Solo- I Miss You Kate
-She's Too Good For Me

...a few examples...

I play jazz, and pop, and rock, etc... and no other artist I've ever found has as broadly and capably touched on as many genres as he has. His singing, songwriting and breadth of artistic palette make him a very interesting musician to follow no matter what you think of his politics, lifestyle or even his bass playing on some technical continuum.

I know not everything he's done is perfect, and I certainly have my preferences of what I like more and less in his music. His latest album, a Renaissance/Baroque-type album is interesting, and I greatly respect it, but isn't something that's gotten a lot of play on my stereo. Yet. This is just one example.

Regarding the bass playing, I'd like to think he shares the informed and wise approach articulated by one of my other major musical interests, (drummer/composer/teacher/etc...) Peter Erskine, which goes something like this: "Have the confidence to play simply... ...and to be open and receptive to hearing and doing what the music asks of you."

[Trevorus]

Sting was pretty cool in "Dune"



Of course, those underpants scare me...

[JacoLesFlea]

He got me interested in meditation and yoga.

[fr3tl3ssjunki3]

Take a listen to "Moon Over Bourbon Street" on Dream of The Blue Turtles. Yes, that's him on the upright....

[brivello]

Originally Posted by Billbassoz

Through years of following The Police and Sting's solo career I've noticed how divided people's opinions of his bass playing can be. Often you get the "he has no chops" line (usually from jazz musos) or you'll get the other extreme that he's a hero and can do know wrong. Personally I think this is due to a number of factors. One is where he actually sits as a musician. Sting has come from a background in jazz and has often used that to embellish his songwriting and playing but he is not strictly a jazz musician, He states that he spent a lot of time building his technique up but generally plays very simply and he's known more as a singer/songwriter/popstar than as a serious musician. IMO Sting is not a virtuoso like Jaco or Stanley Clarke but is none the less a very competent and well rounded bass-player. He plays to his strengths namely a great ear and a sound theoretical knowledge to compile effectively simple and sometimes beautiful bass lines. I am of the opinion that you don't have to be a virtuoso to be a great bass player and that Sting fits in very well with people such as Colin Moulding (XTC), Graham Maby, Derek Forbes (Simple Minds) Matthew Seligman as great bass players who emerged from the post punk seen of the early eightees. What do you think?

Coming from a jazz standpoint; It's not that I think he is a terrible musician, its just the people who think he is "a hero and can do know wrong," are unaware of untold numbers of phenomenal bass players who can kick Stings but up and down the street. They come off sounding...stupid.

but then again, people who dislike his music just because he "has no chops," sound kind of dumb as well.

He writes decent songs, he is an alright singer. Not my cup of tea, but what he does is definitely better than a great deal of stuff out there.

[amper]

Originally Posted by Bassmickeyd

Gil Evans said that one of his favorite bass lines was Walking On The Moon.
Sting does Sting very well.
And he has been beat up by some of the worlds best drummers.
Not too many bass players can put that on their resume.

Well, if Gil Evans said that, then that's pretty much gospel.

And "world's best drummers"? Having to keep up with Stew Copeland would do in quite a few of the world's best bassists...you don't need to go plural with that one!

[ZonGuy]

Sting has an excellent sense of time and syncopation and uses lean but effective lines. I have studied his stuff.

[jerry]

Originally Posted by Billbassoz

Through years of following The Police and Sting's solo career I've noticed how divided people's opinions of his bass playing can be. Often you get the "he has no chops" line (usually from jazz musos)

Most jazz cats I've known respect Sting. I've found most of the people who talk smack about the guy are either judging him on his perceived arrogance or just don't no any better.

[blizzard]

I like Sting, I consider him a good bass player because he knows exactly what notes to play ie. less is more. I also respect him because he can really sing and hold down the low end... I haven't seen many people who can do that.

[GreyBeard]

I think his approach to the bass is really different. Who does he play like? You surely can't say he is copying anyone. Eventhough his bass lines are simple, how would anybody change them to make the song better? His music has a darkness that sometimes wares on me so I really don't like a steady diet of it but, he truely is unique.