Excuse my ignorance, but the double bass in this vid looks huge compared to Sting. Is it a 4/4 and/or is he standing in a hole and/or is he short?
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Double Bass Sting
- Thread starter TroyK
- Start date
Excuse my ignorance, but the double bass in this vid looks huge compared to Sting. Is it a 4/4 and/or is he standing in a hole and/or is he short?
I’m a fan of a lot of Sting’s music. He’s an immensely talented artist, no doubt about it. I know he played electric upright at times though I’m not sure whether that’s what he’s playing on the track in question.
Music videos often featured actors playing various instruments that have nothing to do with the actual record. I’ve seen horn sections, pianos, acoustic guitar, various percussion, etc throughout the 80’s and into the 90’s...it was super common, it seemed silly to musicians then and it still does now.
That’s not what’s happening here though. Sting played Double bass and used an electric upright on the track in question.
- Steve
I get that, it’s exactly what’s happening imo. He’s “playing” it for cinematic effect.
He was in a documentary "Lennon's Jukebox" in which the musical selections contained in John Lennon's portable jukebox were discussed. Sting mocked Lennon's misspelling of Otis on the Otis Redding track - kind of an ass IMO.
What is the point of having Sting pretend to play doublebass for this video?...........................
For the artsy fartsy effect. That's why the video is in B&W too.
As a bassist, Sting is probably the most popular minimalist bass player ever.
For the artsy fartsy effect. That's why the video is in B&W too.
As a bassist, Sting is probably the most popular minimalist bass player ever.
I don't think ANY music videos were played live, in fact, they all used the album track to sell the album. If he had played only BG in the video it wouldn't be anymore accurate. I am no hardcore Sting fan, but, I think he has demonstrated he committed to being a serious musician over his career. The guy plays EUB and double bass so it isn't a case of fraud.
There was a funny meme recently that said: Imagine if there was an all white reggae band in 2020 with a song imploring a sex worked to to "get of the street".
There was a funny meme recently that said: Imagine if there was an all white reggae band in 2020 with a song imploring a sex worked to to "get of the street".
I understand what 80s videos were. When my 11 year watches them with me he asks all kinds of questions like "why is that hair metal band in a cage?" and "why are those women dancing on the roof of that car?" I give him answers similar to the ones you guys are giving me.
My objection was that he is not playing or pretending to play particularly well, this particular bass at this particular time. The signature line in this song (about stalking) was clearly played on a BG as well. Perhaps he layered an EUB part with it in the studio. I had not considered that. I think the Police were a good band, certainly more successful than any band I've been in, so it struck me as un-necessary, that's all.
My objection was that he is not playing or pretending to play particularly well, this particular bass at this particular time. The signature line in this song (about stalking) was clearly played on a BG as well. Perhaps he layered an EUB part with it in the studio. I had not considered that. I think the Police were a good band, certainly more successful than any band I've been in, so it struck me as un-necessary, that's all.
And the rest; the guy's actually a versatile musician.
If you're not already familar with Let Them Talk, his New Orleans blues album, check it out.
Another song about a guy who fell in love with his favourite sex worker? Add it to the pile, I suspect, along with 22 Acacia Avenue.
Been a fan since I saw a video of him jamming with folks playing Come Together... correctly.
That is not the right critique for an '80s music video Troy, the real issue is that it didn't turn to color for the guitar solo.
Sting's not Julian Bream and Peter Pears put together, but he fell hard enough for Dowland to learn the lute and sing the work. If his Deutsche Grammophone disc of lute music introduced only five people to Dowland's music I doff my cap to him once again.
And he's a sharp rhythm guitar player too, holding steady in a 'pretty decent band.' (Check Bran at 35:30!)
When wondering "why do they do this or that" in a video, the answer usually is, "For the look." It's a visual art.
The simplest answer is often the right answer (see "Ockham.")
The simplest answer is often the right answer (see "Ockham.")
I performed in one of those '80s videos, miming my bass part while the drummer waved sticks in the air behind an invisible kit. It was a very silly time. The performer also has no control over what the editor does with the material, and editors were usually non-musicians with little sensitivity to time or performance accuracy.
LINK TO THAT VIDEO NOW!!!!
