Thanks to Bill Bredice for the Ticket Stub
|
Thanks to Bill Bredice for the Ticket Stub |
Today, I bask in the afterglow of seeing Sting three nights in a row: Friday in Portland, Saturday in the Gorge in Eastern Washington, and Sunday in Vancouver, B.C. Each experience was different in many ways and Sting failed to disappoint.
I'm glad the Portland experience was the first one, because it was by far the poorest of the three shows. The sound in the Rose Garden was lousy, my seat was lousy, I was in a bad mood because I passed on getting a Row 2 floor ticket, and the set was the predictable 17 song set we have all come to know so well. Why focus on the negative though? It was absolutely awesome to be in the same building as our hero for the ninth time. The goatee is back. The guy he chose to sing with him on I'm so Happy was nervous as can be, didn't know most of the words, and according to what Sting told us the next night, was shaking so bad that he made Sting nervous. The concert ended after 90 minutes, and like Sting, I returned home that night and set off for the Gorge on Saturday.
If there is a more beautiful setting in the world to see an outdoor concert than the Gorge Amphitheater in George, Washington, I'd like to see it. Situated on top of a cliff that overlooks the Columbia River, the background for the concert-goer is a splendid sight indeed. All you see are miles and miles of hilly terrain and the river down below. Stars shown up above for the duration of the concert, and Sting came on shortly after the sun set behind the hillside. (BTW, the opening act was Samples, same as in Portland). Although I had reserved seats not far from the stage, I chose to sit on the grassy hillside well up and back from the stage so that I could enjoy the scenery and listen to Sting's music at the same time. The crowd was into the show in a big way (especially for the Police songs), and get this --, a fellow named "Nate" was chosen to sing with Sting this time. He did a fine job. Midway through the show, as the rum was settling in and the stars began to shine a bit more brightly, I began praying that this would be the concert that Sting goes beyond the usual set list, adds a few songs, and stretches the concert another hour. Of course, he didn't, and the show ended 90 minutes after starting. For you folks that like to sit as close as possible (as I do), take a break sometime, especially if it is outdoors, and sit far away from the stage to experience a concert in a brand new way. Better yet, next time Sting comes to the Gorge, treat yourself to traveling to see him there.
After returning home again on Sunday, I debated whether I should actually go see Sting again in Vancouver. After all, I had the experience Saturday that I had been looking for. My foot was in pain from twisting my ankle after the concert, and it would be a 6 hour round trip drive and hassling with the border crossing, etc. I came up with just about every excuse I could think of, but the thought of having Sting 130 miles from me singing the songs I love without me there didn't make sense, so I set out to do what I originally promised myself I'd do & see Sting for the third night in a row. I got to GM Place about 7:00 for the 7:30 concert and hassled the scalpers into getting a fairly decent seat next to the stage, 10 rows up. Not a bad seat. Something was different this time. They were filming the opening act of Jan Arden. She was interesting and funny. I began to believe they would film the Sting concert, and sure enough they did. I noticed signs posted on my way out that said the concert was being filmed for broadcast. Let's hope it is, because this concert was the absolute best exhibition of Sting on stage playing for the cameras, with his voice in the best shape possible, and an audience really into the show. The images on the camera monitors were great with the lighting on stage. Since the show was being filmed, I think he felt compelled to lengthen it a bit, and sure enough he threw in LYSBYP and Mad about You, and also All Four Seasons! What a treat. This lengthened the show to about 110 minutes. Here's hope for all you floor fans that are back a bit from the stage: Sting was talking about how this was his favorite part of the show, as we would see in a minute. A fellow was holding up a sign that said "I'm so Happy I could Sing", and guess who Sting picked to come on up? Yep, it was him (Ross), and he did the best job I think anyone could do. He knew the words, he had the moves, he could sing, and at one point Sting just turned it over to him. He even had the courage to say: "Back to you Sting". This show was the perfect one of the three, and technically it was flawless. Sting's voice was almost gone by Fragile, but I like it that way sometimes.
There you have it: three shows with personalities as different as the boys in the Police. Individually they were great, but together they were beyond belief. On to Mountain View!
Those of you who read the Vancouver review may have noticed that the concert was being filmed. I overheard one of the camramen chatting with a concert-goer after Sting was done and he said that the cameras were for a PBS special. Does anyone have any extra info on this. I'd love to know the date and time of broadcast so that I could tape it. It really was a superb show!
I saw Sting on Aug. 11 at GM Place in Vancouver. I imagine that someone has already reviewed the concert but I'll throw in my two cents for what it's worth. My apologies for any overlapping information.
I went to the venue early in the afternoon to hear the sound check but I arrived too late. So, I went back the hotel and made a sign which read "Show us your 'Dark Star'". I thought Sting might find it amusing or perhaps extremely rude. Either way, I was hoping to, but ultimately failed, to get his attention. I guess my seat was too far 23 row up from the floor and my sign was too small.
The concert started at 7:30 with Jan Arden as the opening act. This was the first I'd heard of her and I was quite impressed. She seemed very relaxed on stage and joked with the audience a lot (much more than Sting). However, at one point someone on the floor yelled something like "Blah Blah Blah... last year" To which she replied rather emphatically, "FUCK YOU." Not exactly the kind of comment you'd expect from a singer of slow melancholy ballads. Anyway, she had a great voice and an awesome band. Enough said... onto Sting.
The band comes on stage first and starts making a bit of noise warming up. Then Vinnie starts a drum roll. At the crescendo Sting appears on stage bows to the audience and launches into his first song. For those of you who care, He was wearing with army pants and boots and a gray vest. And, yes, he was still working on his goatee. He looked to be in great shape and I don't care what anybody says, you don't get arms like that by yoga alone. This guy must lift some serious weights.
Here's the Set-List:
Only joking...
Notes:
Sting: So, this next part of the show I'm really looking forward to. You'll understand why in a minute. Um... yeah I can see that [pointing at a sign]. I'll explain to the audience what your holding up. For the past few weeks [more like months isn't it?] I've had people coming up and singing this next song with me and he's obviously heard about it. [pointing to Ross] I think you're the man... You'd better be good. Help this man up [to the stage]. And the exciting thing is you never know what you're going to get. Where are you going [at this point Ross has disappeared behind the stage somewhere]. He looks all right. Well, we're waiting [he hasn't made it to the stage yet]. Here he is. [audience goes crazy]
Sting: What's your name?
Ross: Ross.
Sting: Ross who?
Ross: Ross Viner.
Sting: [something inaudible about Ross being Irish or something.] OK. Get behind me stand here. OK, Let's get a few thing sorted out. This song's about divorce right?
Ross: [pause] Right.
Sting: Are you divorced?
Ross: Uh, fortunately not.
Sting: Are you married?
Ross: Uh, fortunately not. [audience laughs and applauds]
Sting: So that doesn't really qualify you to sing this song does it?
Ross: Uhhhhhh...
Sting: Can you sing?
Ross: Uhhhhhh... I think I can. [audience laughs]
Sting: OK, we'll find out won't we? OK let me teach you mic. technique OK, raise the mic... [To audience] He doesn't know how to raise the mic. Here let me help you [Sting is also unable to raise the mic. stand and the audience laughs and applauds]... Now when you sing, you sing into the mic.
Ross: How's that?
Sting: A lot of people come up here and the just sing into thin air and nobody can hear a word they're saying. Are you ready?
Ross: I can't remember the tune.
Sting: [incredulous] You can't remember the tune?! [audience laughs] [to the band] We've got a ripe one here. Um... you're not nervous?
Ross: Ummm. Slightly.
Sting: Good.
Ross: Can I say "Hi" to a friend?
Sting: Yes, you can say "Hi" to a friend.
Ross: Heather Kealsy can you hear me? [audience laughs]
Sting: OK, Heather where are you?... No you can't have two friends up here Ross. [to audience] Taking liberties eh? Are you planning to marry her?
Ross: No, Heather and I are very good friends.
Sting: Just good friends? [audience laughs] Sounds a bit boring to me actually.
I mean, like, are you intimate? [audience howls]
Ross: ...We've been very good friends for a long time... [audience laughs]
Sting: OK, Dom [Dominic] let's go.
And they launch into the song. Ross did a good job - really hamming it up and dancing around. At one point when Sting was just going from the chorus into the verse and Ross says in rock star style "C'mon Sting." Sting gives him this really strange/menacing look like don't overstep your bounds here Ross. The audience loved it.
Afterwards, Ross was interviewed by a Vancouver radio station and was written up in the daily Victoria newspaper. I also talked to him after the show. He seems like quite a nice guy actually and a big Sting fan. But I still hate him and I'm jealous as hell.
Overall, the show was predictable (but that's what you get for belonging to the mailing list and knowing exactly what the show is going to be like) but really exciting at the same time (If that's possible).
That's about all I can remember now (It's 4:30 a.m. and I'm seriously jet-lagged)
I forgot to mention in review of the Vancouver concert (Aug. 11) that, as Sting seems prone to doing, he tagged lyrics from one song onto the end of another.
At the end of "All 4 Seasons" Sting sings the refrain from "When we Dance."
"I had a dream last night Walking with you baby I had a dream last night...."
He sustained the last note for what seemed like fifteen senconds bringing cheers and applause from the audience.
Also during the outro of "Lithium Sunset" Kenny (I think) belts out "Rescue me..." (I think this is an old soul tune), backing up Stings vocal refrain, "See Mercury Falling..."
In both cases it worked great.
Do any of you recall hearing this, or was it merely a figment of my warped imagination?
You are visitor
since this page was designed on February 14, 1998.
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.