There probably aren't three touring acts in the world that I would pay to see but Sting is one of them. I was not disappointed by his performance on August 20 at the Coors Amphitheater. Here are some of my quick impressions.
The unfortunate task of opening for Sting was given to Rennie Zero (sorry, I didn't catch the spelling). This three chord garage band was not really a good choice for the generally more musically literate and demanding Sting crowd. Also their mix was terrible, all distortion lead guitar and too little bass.
The set was nearly identical with the Santa Barbara show except for 7 though 11 as follows:
A Thousand Years was a great opener. The sound system at Coors is adequate (our seats were right next to the sound engineer) and the mixing was well balanced especially for the vocal harmonies.
Sting had incredible energy with virtually no breaks between any of the numbers. He did mention that this was his 8th wedding anniversary and added this was considered something of a record for the entertainment industry. My wife said it would have been nice if he'd done a little more rapping with the audience between sets but he was all business and the pacing was high energy.
The sets consisted of lighting projections on hanging white draperies that acted as projection screens. Most of the effects were very imaginative especially the effects in Desert Rose to simulate burning torches around the stage and the simulated street lamps to go with the street walker theme in Tomorrow We'll See. He got a little laugh with the "these heels are killing me" line.
My only nits were:
I loved Chris Botti's trumpet work. Besides doing some really tight solos he was called on to fill the studio clarinet parts and harmonica parts (Bradford and Stevie probably couldn't make it) using a harmon mute and pulled it off really well. The balance with the bell mike was studio quality.
Jason Rebello was stunning on the keyboards doing several long and creating jazz piano solos that got several hands. Not Lyle Mays but not too shabby.
IMO the best song of the night was Desert Rose even with Sting trying to do the Arab chanting. The onstage belly dancer was a nice touch and it's such a creative piece it couldn't miss.
Stings use of polyrhythm was impressive. Besides doing one piece in 9/4 (I can't remember which but I remember counting it out in disbelief) he managed to transition Fill Her Up from a straight two beat country romp into the post revelation section in 7/4 and still make it rock. It was fun to watch people trying to two-step in the aisles with one beat missing.
Sting was able to keep the power and intonation through the end of the set. I was amazed and impressed. The touring must be making him stronger rather than wearing him down.
All in all (and not counting the annoying process of getting into and out of Coors) it was a spectacular and musically satisfying concert. Sting has matured from the Police days (even if some of his brain dead pot smoking fans haven't) and his creative, eclectic style is unmatched by any other performer on the scene today.
You are visitor
since this page was designed on August 22, 2000.
Index 
The Web's Too Big Without You! Items For Sale Who
Am I? What's New?
Again, thanks for visiting my homepage. I hope you will come back and visit soon.
For questions, comments or information on this home page, please send e-mail to blueturtles01@hotmail.com.
This page hosted by 
. Get your own Free Home Page.
Copyright © 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 , 2001 by blueturtles01@hotmail.com. All rights reserved.