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Sting

F

Flyboyandy

Nov 26, 2018
34
85
Syracuse, NY
#1
So I had a chance to see the Police in the 80's in a very large venue, and for some reason didn't go. I still kick myself in the a$$ for not going because I was a Police fan and a huge Sting fan.

I was able to see Sting a week or so ago, and man was I amazed at how good of a bass player he is, and a great singer. In addition, his band is unreal, what a sound. This was a bucket list thing and I'm happy I took it in. That old Fender bass sounds amazing.

My other bucket this was to see McCartney and I was too lazy to just get up and go. Maybe another time.
 
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#2
Agree on all counts. My wife and I saw the Police in 2007 during their reunion tour, and it was an amazing show. For his solo stuff, Sting definitely recruits some of the best players out there. I've never seen solo Sting live, but have a couple of live shows on DVD.
 
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#4
I saw the reunion your.... great seats at the Garden in Boston. KILLER show.

He's probably the most underrated bass player discussed (or NOT discussed) here at TB. His right hand technique is just awesome. His groove and feel are ridiculously good. And doing it all while singing melodic, complex, vocal parts just starts to piss me off a little.

He's a rare talent in my view.
 
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#5
I’ve seen him twice. Once in the early 90s with Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, then again a few years ago in a theater with Josh Freese. Being up close for the theater show was awesome, but it’s the most I’ve ever paid for a concert ticket. I figured he probably won’t be touring for too many more years, despite his good health and stamina.
 
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#7
two fingers said:
I saw the reunion your.... great seats at the Garden in Boston. KILLER show.

He's probably the most underrated bass player discussed (or NOT discussed) here at TB. His right hand technique is just awesome. His groove and feel are ridiculously good. And doing it all while singing melodic, complex, vocal parts just starts to piss me off a little.
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I'm starting to feel a little ticked off too reading that :roflmao: Sting makes it look easy!

And great seats are the way to go for a show like that. I couldn't and wouldn't settle for nosebleeds.
 
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#9
I saw him live more than 22 years ago on the tour for Brand New Day. Can't even believe it is that long. Manu Katché on the drums. I was playing bass myself only for two years at that time, I would appreciate the gig even more these days I think. At the end I remember the most when he played solo Message in the Bottle alone just with acoustic guitar. Unfortunately the Police reunion show was cancelled in our city for some reason. The DVD is one of my favourite filmed concerts.
 
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#10
friskinator said:
I’ve seen him twice. Once in the early 90s with Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, then again a few years ago in a theater with Josh Freese. Being up close for the theater show was awesome, but it’s the most I’ve ever paid for a concert ticket. I figured he probably won’t be touring for too many more years, despite his good health and stamina.
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"Stamina" ha I heard about that several years ago.
 
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#11
friskinator said:
I’ve seen him twice. Once in the early 90s with Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, then again a few years ago in a theater with Josh Freese. Being up close for the theater show was awesome, but it’s the most I’ve ever paid for a concert ticket. I figured he probably won’t be touring for too many more years, despite his good health and stamina.
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Man… I didn’t get hip to Vinnie until about ‘07… he lifts up anyone he plays with.
 
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#12
Same here, lots of respect for Sting.
Bass player often focus on bass playing, underwhelmed that there are no fireworks with him. But, he matured long ago, understanding that every instrument serves the song - an uproach I recommend to every musician!
I will not mention his composing, lyricism, production understanding, band leading, businessmanship, and so on...
 
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#15
Flyboyandy said:
So I had a chance to see the Police in the 80's in a very large venue, and for some reason didn't go. I still kick myself in the a$$ for not going because I was a Police fan and a huge Sting fan.

I was able to see Sting a week or so ago, and man was I amazed at how good of a bass player he is, and a great singer. In addition, his band is unreal, what a sound. This was a bucket list thing and I'm happy I took it in. That old Fender bass sounds amazing.

My other bucket this was to see McCartney and I was too lazy to just get up and go. Maybe another time.
Click to expand...

My SO gave me tickets for Sting for my birthday ... two - three? years ago. They are still pinned to the fridge, because covid. The gig itself got cancelled. The alternative date got cancelled, too. Then he played shows, but two shows before mine, the road crew got covid again - and a few shows were cancelled again. I'm a bit on edge now because the man is over 70!
 
#16
petermwright said:
I saw the Runion Tour (not great seats though), but have also seen him solo (much better seats) and also with Paul Simon. I’m a massive Sting fan, and in fact I play him in my Police and Sting tribute bands that I run - The Police Academy and The Sting Operation.
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Those are both on the short list of tribute bands I would love to perform in.
 
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#17
I'm almost sure what you saw was a Custom Shop replica of his single coil P bass, which he doesn't gig anymore.

Sting is one of the greatest singers, players and songwriters of all time. Like McCartney he's always taken care of himself and is able to keep touring. Impressive that his voice still hasn't weakened much.
 
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#18
I would have first seen The Police in Auckland (New Zealand) in February 1981, when they were touring Zenyatta Mondatta. Next would have been February 1984, also in Auckland, for the Synchronicity tour. The last time would have been January 2005 in Wellington (NZ) on the reunion tour. All very different shows, but all great in their own way.

I've also seen Sting "solo" a couple of times, first in Adelaide (Australia) in October 1996 and again in Napier (NZ) in February 2011.

The 1996 convert ranks up with the best shows I have ever seen. Sting on bass (except for a couple of acoustic numbers he did solo with a classical guitar), Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Domenic Miller guitar, and the late Kenny Kirkland on keyboards. I think there may have also been a couple of people on brass but I don't remember who they were. The band was tight and perfect for the more jazz-infused material from Mercury Falling and Ten Summoner's Tales. Sting let all the other band members have their time in the spotlight too, particularly Kenny who had a couple of brilliant solos.
 
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