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Just a quick note to the list that the Friday show in LA was filmed and was a very smooth show. After screwing up Seven Days again Wednesday, right after he told the story of how he had done it in Vegas, he didn't tell the story Friday, and just sang the song, perfectly I might add.
Stevie Wonder performed on the harmonica for Brand New Day.
Miles introduced the show and noted that since it was being filmed, and we were all "inconvenienced", he would be happy to send every member of the audience an audio CD of the show if we sent our ticket stub to him. Needless to say, the search for extra stubs commenced promptly after the concert.
After the show, Miles was out in the lobby interviewing anybody he ran into about their thoughts about the show, as he videotaped the response. It was the friendliest I've ever seen him, but I suppose he had a purpose in mind.
It was nice to see Maggie again, but not so much fun to be in just about the last row of the balcony of the amphitheatre after being front row Tuesday. Getting a ticket was next to impossible however, so we were all just lucky that 3 tickets became available Friday afternoon and we had been camping out at the box office for an hour and a half just in case that happened.
My advice to anyone in the US trying to go to a sold-out show....apparently last-minute tickets do come up, and sometimes they are the best in the joint. It is worth an investment in time to try to get them.
All in all a great trip with great friends Ross and Jeremy to accompany me to the first three LA shows. It is good to be home though, with all the wonderful memories of the trip to sustain us for a long time. It will be a bit weird knowing that the Saturday show starts in about 3 hours and we won't be there for this one.
I'm a bit of a late bloomer when it comes to Sting's music, having been converted into a die-hard fan after seeing him late on the Mercury Falling Tour, at the beautiful Greek Theater here in Los Angeles. The band was exceptionally tight during those shows, and I wondered how good Stings new group would sound so early in a tour (in other words, I was spoiled last time out, so I thought anyway). I have since worn out my tape of his radio performance in Houston, so I had certain expectations and concerns about the band Sting had assembled this time around. As I expected, they didn't disappoint either night, though I felt there was a distinct difference in the two performances I saw (Tuesday and Friday nights). Perhaps they should announce they are taping and recording every night as they did on Friday (and they also told us that we will get a free CD of the performance for putting up with the video cameramen). The crowd was on better behavior Friday and the band seemed especially focused and put on a memorable show that I can't wait to hear and see!
The Friday night show was definitely taped and recorded for a purpose that was not announced (perhaps a cable special?). Few in the crowd seemed to know the new songs, which is amazing to me. If you are going to pay $100 for a ticket you'd think they would pick up the CD to feel a little more comfortable? Anyhow, a few thoughts on the set list (same both nights) and then some other comments about the staging, merchandise and Cheb Mami.
A Thousand Years - Too slow of an opener. I don't understand why he doesn't open with Brand New Day??? But performed beautifully nonetheless and the heavy synthesizer vibrating the venue is a cool way to start. Lighting doesn't reveal Sting until well into the song, which is odd.
If You Love Someone Set Them Free - Nice version, similar to Mercury Falling Tour, gets the crowd on their feet.
After The Rain Has Fallen - wonderful live, and some different lines used by Sting in singing it that really takes it up a notch. Surprising it is already different from the album version, but great. Segways from end of song to band introductions to:
We'll Be Together - a funky version that is different but fun.
Perfect Love Gone Wrong - The rap is just as offensive live as it is on the album, though thankfully we only have to suffer through one loud rap session. Manu Katche ends the song with a softer rendition of the rap chorus that is better, but still annoying. The majority of the crowd did not seem to be too taken by it either. Easily the least enjoyable song of the evening.
Mad About You - nice rendition. No one in the crowd seems to know this song (i.e. thus a license to talk). I would loved to have heard All This Time one night or Fortress, but I sensed they were trying to nail this for their taping and recording on Friday night. Sting told his earthquake story both nights prior to this. He stays in the Four Seasons in Las Vegas, which he was not shy to reveal!
Seven Days - Tuesday night Sting told the story of how he was forgetting the words, thankfully he put it to rest for the taping version on Friday night. Not as fun of a version as the Mercury Falling Tour, perhaps lacking just a little in the drum department. Cool "umbrella's" appear hear as part of the set background.
Fill Her Up - A favorite of mine from the album that didn't disappoint live. I thought the jazz ending would be more prominent, but they actually ended on more of a quiet jazz part then a country jam. This song, more than any other stands to improve and grow as the tour goes on (in my view anyway). Sting introduced the song and explained the lyric, though only parts of James Taylor's vocals from the album were sung live, and it was by Sting, which is a bit odd based on the lyric. I guess no one in the band can do what Kenny Kirkland would have done in the past (in more ways than one), and that is sing the parts of the rich guy in the car.
Fields Of Gold - nice rendition again. Wish Dominique's guitar solo was longer so he could do something a little different here. Nice lighting here on the whole crowd. Actually, all of the lighting was excellent and appropriate for each song.
Every little thing she does is magic - a fan favorite and nicely inserted to get the crowd going. Not as much of a rock and roll number as on MF tour, but still fun. Weird ending - Sting really slows it down.
Ghost Story - a stunning song live. I hope it remains throughout the tour for everyone to hear. Stings voice is very prominent thanks to wonderful sound mixing that emphasizes his voice all night (a first at a rock show?).
Moon Over Bourbon Street - interesting take on this, with Sting doing it in a Louis Armstrong voice (Tom Waits at times). Great trumpet playing by Chris Botti who comes out front, and cool set work with a moon in the back.
Englishman In New York Brand New Day - Fun rendition with a very brief rap light show that is fine because of its brevity. Crowd sing-along is fun, though both nights Sting had to remind us it was okay to sing that "positive affirmation."
Brand New Day - Slightly shorter version than the album, but with part of the nice intro. Stevie Wonder appeared 2/3's of the way through on Friday night's show and the place went nuts. I couldn't even hear his harmonica playing because the crowd was so loud. But thankfully, we'll have it on our free CD (hopefully!). Should be opening the show with this as the crowd seems to know it from radio play. Just a great song and a perfect opener for the tour and album. Oh well.
Tomorrow We'll See - I wish Sting had introduced this lyric to the crowd. This song is very different (and more upbeat) live thanks to a more obvious presence from Dominque Miller. Excellent version, though I would love to have seen it segway straight into Roxanne. But there is a brief pause so they can switch over to the red lights.
Roxanne - same version as last tour and a crowd favorite. Band really took it up a notch during Friday show. Sting's crowd-sing-along is fun and the back up singers get to show off here (they were disappointing night one, but very easy to hear Friday. Could have been the mix, or perhaps just where we were sitting the first night).
Desert Rose (with Cheb Mami) - The stage includes these great little pop up fire balls that really liven things up during the song. The crowd has no interest in Cheb Mami or appreciation for Stings remarks about his singing. But the song is excellent live and Kipper, who is appearing to be having a lot of fun playing, incorporates many of the techno sounds here that are on the album. Cheb Mami seemed to miss some words both nights on this, but his opening sets were very strong and it was neat to get to see them do this song together. Mami's band is incredibly tight and though he's not the greatest performer, his voice, melodies and band make up for his awkward dancing! I felt very fortunate that we got to see him open these shows.
Bring On The Night / When The World Is Running Down You Make The Best Of What's Still Around - a good set closer even though I wasn't sure how well it would work. It's the same format as the MF Tour, just different keyboard solo from Jason Rebello. He's very good though.
Encore 1
If I Ever Lose My Faith In You - kind of a flat rendition both nights. Misses the MF band on this more than any song in my view.
Every Breath You Take - fine version. Band introduction is at the end of this song instead of the next.
Lithium Sunset - a totally different take on this song, and it's wonderful. Incorporates "Twist and Shout" into it and really takes this song up a notch tempo wise. Great ending, even though crowd didn't know it at all. Can't wait to hear a recording of this updated version.
Encore 2
Message in a Bottle - fun to sing along. I hope he keeps this in the set.
Fragile - A perfect song. I rolled my eyes when I saw he was closing with it again, but hearing it reminds you that it's probably as perfect a song as Sting or anyone can create.
I sense overall that the set list will change (for those concerned it won't). Sting mentioned that they had been performing to that point for "these shows" at the Universal. I'm assuming this was because it was their first big city/venue and because of the taping situation at Friday's show. Although like the MF Tour, it's a good set list and nicely balanced, throwing in a treat for everyone. I would like to see a few more hits put together and a few more new songs together, because the mixing of new song/old song seems to prevent any real strong momentum from occurring until the very end of the show. Or maybe it just keeps a nice steady pace going and it works? Either way, you are in for a great time as Sting's voice sounds excellent and his energy is high. The man is an amazing performer even if he wears faded black cargo pants!
The merchandise is nice, but expensive. Black and white t-shirts, a lime green long sleeve and various hats, key chains and bags. No program unfortunately. And of course, no web site up and running yet either, which is so strange. But their free CD offer for us Friday night attendees will quiet my complaining in many ways! What a cool thing to do.
All in all, it was well worth the price of admission (as high as that was) and we'll miss not having Sting to town for a few years now. The Universal is a somewhat sterile place, but a wonderful venue because the acoustics are so good and there aren't really any bad seats in the house. Hopefully I'll get to see him when he returns to the States next year to see the progress of a great Sting band and show.
Well I got there a bit late due to my tardiness. I did not know about the filming until someone next to me told me about it. I must say Sting was in rare form. The last two times I had seen him were so-so. "Tomorrow We'll see" which is one of my favorite songs was impressive. It was great seeing Cheb singing Desert Rose. Wow he has got a great voice. I was totally blown away. Roxanne was good because Dominic put in the guitar riff from Spirits... Even though I am not a big fan of indoor venues the sound was pretty good. If anyone else has any questions feel free to email me.
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