Sting on the Voice

[bmusic]

I don't think he needs money or visibility. His legacy is secure.

I think he has firm ideas about how this thing should be done, and he wants a hand in steering the ship. Rick Rubin wrote a book. Annie Clark and Herbie Hancock did a MasterClass. Sting has chosen a likely less time-intensive, and possibly more lucrative (in dollars-per-hour) way of passing the torch. I was surprised to see it, too, but I don't begrudge him a thing. I kinda think I may watch.

 

[mambo4]

It's nice work if you can get it.

In his shoes I'd not give a quark what other people think
He's earned his hollywood squares berth and love boat guest appearances IMHO

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Let's not pretend like Sting isn't a pop star like any other, doing what pop stars do. It's nice work if you can get it.

Corniness is in the eye of the beholder. To me this is less cringy than 70- and 80-somethings touring and playing their rock hits from when they were 20-somethings.

You make a good point. Seeing obviously paid crowd act excited at Super Bowl halftime shows for old men trying to bounce around is sad.

 

[Engle]

I enjoy watching the Voice. The musicians are top notch (playing live) and you see/hear some great amateur vocalists.
I zone out during some parts like the prolonged decisions, and the "vocal gymnastics" singers, but it's a fun show to watch with my wife.

 

[jim nolte]

Am I the only person surprised that Sting has agreed to be a judge on the Voice? He always had such a cool image and the Voice strikes me as corny. I imagine it pays really well.

“ it pays pretty well “

 

[Altitude]

I enjoy watching the Voice. The musicians are top notch (playing live) and you see/hear some great amateur vocalists.
I zone out during some parts like the prolonged decisions, and the "vocal gymnastics" singers, but it's a fun show to watch with my wife.

The candidate selection process at the beginning of each season is good TV. For those unaware, the auditions are blind, with all of the judges facing away from the candidate as the candidate begins to sing an audition piece. In order to see the candidate they have to make a commitment to accept that person onto their team, at least initially. Then their chair turns around and they can see the candidate. If more than one judge does that, the candidate gets to choose which team they join.

For what it is, it’s well done.

 

[friskinator]

I could never get past the laugh track. That did it for me.

 

[klyph]

As a teenaged Police fan weaned on punk, I thought it was corny when he dressed like he was in “Miami Vice” and toured the world with a jazz fusion band. That was almost forty years ago. I love much of the music he’s made, but he’s always been a pretentious wanker who does exactly what he wants. Good for him! I hope he finds young talent worthy of his tutelage.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

As a teenaged Police fan weaned on punk, I thought it was corny when he dressed like he was in “Miami Vice” and toured the world with a jazz fusion band. That was almost forty years ago. I love much of the music he’s made, but he’s always been a pretentious wanker who does exactly what he wants. Good for him! I hope he finds young talent worthy of his tutelage.

I remember the movie he made about that tour, but at least some great musicians got to cash some fat checks!

 

[jerry]

I remember the movie he made about that tour, but at least some great musicians got to cash some fat checks!

His ego was in full display in that movie, but that was one slamming band! The part in that movie with Miles Copeland explaining to disgruntled band members about band pay is pretty awesome and true.

 

[Altitude]

As a teenaged Police fan weaned on punk, I thought it was corny when he dressed like he was in “Miami Vice” and toured the world with a jazz fusion band. That was almost forty years ago. I love much of the music he’s made, but he’s always been a pretentious wanker who does exactly what he wants. Good for him! I hope he finds young talent worthy of his tutelage.

I thought it was fantastic and the 2-3 albums that followed that move are still among my favorites.

On the Miami Vice fashion, which was pervasive at that point in time - what would you rather he wore?

 

[Fynn]

Well, I guess Sting was never against making a bit of easy money. He literally said that he wrote hit songs despite not personally being to fond of them, because he knew they would give his albums traction so he could put his heart into the other songs.

 

[J Wilson]

They suckered him into it: They told him Stewart Copeland was going to do it if he didn't.

Thi$ i$ really a head-$cratcher . . . . .

 

[MVE]

Good for Sting for landing a prime gig and staying relevant. Why would anyone say no to something like that?

 

[MVE]

In his shoes I'd not give a quark what other people think
He's earned his hollywood squares berth and love boat guest appearances IMHO

His guest appearance on Only Murders was hilarious. He was one of the first ones before the show became a mega hit.

 

[darwin-bass]

I really enjoy The Voice and am surprised at the many negative comments. I am having a great time seeing another side of Sting as he passes a bit of wisdom to some hopeful amateurs.

 

[bobba66]

I saw him with the Police in the early days and was duly impressed. Still, I think his role in Dune was his best work ever.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I really enjoy The Voice and am surprised at the many negative comments. I am having a great time seeing another side of Sting as he passes a bit of wisdom to some hopeful amateurs.

I guess I got tired of that sort of show after a few years of American Idol. It also annoyed me that a bassist like Randy Jackson acted like touring with Journey was the highlight of his career

 

[dougjwray]

I've never been a fan of the singing contest shows, and one big reason is that the contestants and judges are always drawn from the glossy, superficial realms of popular music.
I've always hoped in vain for judges like, say, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Chrissie Hynde, Betty Carter, Nick Cave, Neil Young, Meshell...
Someone who might say, "Your pitch is accurate... but you're saying nothing. NOTHING!!!"
Sting is at least a small step in that direction.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I've never been a fan of the singing contest shows, and one big reason is that the contestants and judges are always drawn from the glossy, superficial realms of popular music.
I've always hoped in vain for judges like, say, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Chrissie Hynde, Betty Carter, Nick Cave, Neil Young, Meshell...
Someone who might say, "Your pitch is accurate... but you're saying nothing. NOTHING!!!"
Sting is at least a small step in that direction.

I think of the story Guy Pratt told of recording with Madonna for “Like a Prayer.” She sang a guide vocal while he, along with others, were laying down their tracks, when she finished, she gave them feedback on what keep or change about their parts. She did not have to listen to the playback. Whether we like their music/presentation or not, tops stars are often very good at what they do.