Back to Bass Tour: 2011/12

'Back To Bass' - Back to the Beginning...

Okay, "Back to the Beginning" is a bit of an exaggeration. Otherwise, Sting would have had to play in a club or perform with a jazz big band. But he didn't. And the Police line-up was nowhere to be seen on Sunday in the sold-out Vienna Gasometer.

'Back To Bass' was understood, on the one hand, as a retrospective on the 25-year solo career of a musician who describes himself as indifferent to self-reflection and nostalgia, but on the other hand, as a return to the origins of his instrumental talent. But he really should have picked up the guitar for that. Whatever the case, it's comforting to see that he can still do what he's always done: simply make really good music. There wasn't much new, though. But that's probably the essence of a retrospective concert title.

It was about time! After forays into symphonic, folkloric, and medieval music, the retired "policeman" finally wielded his already rather battered bass guitar again, roamed through his solo catalogue, including a handful of Police numbers, in a fine mood, and had the courage to leave gaps: Not a single track from his 80s masterpiece 'Nothing Like The Sun' was revived, and 'Roxanne' didn't shine in the red light of the spotlight either. Instead, a long-lost gem, the fox-couple ballad 'End Of The Game', shimmered like nothing else, because vocally – as sharp as ever – the charismatic Northern Englishman presented himself at his best.

'All This Time' appropriately opened the journey into timelessness, dedicated exclusively to the music. All the songs seemed to be free of ballast, the melodic core seemingly peeled away. The stage and lighting also served only basic functions: being able to stand and be seen. Even Sting's outfit underscored the straightforwardness of what was on offer: jeans and a tight-fitting T-shirt that truly emphasized the fitness of his 60-year-old body and confirmed the writer's decision to wear the baggy sweater after all.

Several accompanying musicians also played on the nostalgia factor. Back after a long hiatus: Vinnie Colaiuta, one of the most established session drummers with a penchant for high, self-imposed difficulty, first accompanied Sting 20 years ago. Guitarist Dominic Miller has been playing alongside the master even longer, albeit almost continuously. This time, Miller even contributed his own talent, as his son Rufus provided the performance with background vocals and guitar. What's more - kids, how time flies! - Sting, as a soloist, and the aforementioned Rufus, as a new born, both burst into the world at almost the same time.

In the back line, Australian Jo Lawry, who had already donated her organ on the previous 'Symphonicities' tour, shone with violin and voice, and Peter Tickell proved himself a virtuoso violinist, especially in the two remarkable solos where he sanded the violin strings to near melting point. However, the traditional keyboard player was unforgivably omitted, and there have been consistently great ones in the past. And at the very end, all by himself, 'Message In A Bottle'. Sting finally picked up the guitar. So, after all: "Back to the beginning"! Ha!

With around 1,800 concerts in his solo career, Sting can be described as a popular superstar. He can't stand sitting around and being bored, so the next tour won't be long in coming. But before that - please! - get into the studio and record something new. That would be a dream.

(c) Heute.at by Winfried Radl

Sting Concert in Vienna: "Back To Bass"

"Back To Bass" could be viewed, on the one hand, as a retrospective of the career - spanning well over 25 years - of a musician who describes himself as averse to self-reflection and nostalgia; on the other, as a return to his roots as an instrumentalist.

Fair enough: "Back to square one" would be a bit of an exaggeration. After all, that would have required Sting to play in a small club or perform with a jazz big band - which he didn't do. Nor was the Police line-up to be found on stage at the sold-out Vienna Gasometer on Sunday; that would have required him to pick up the guitar. Be that as it may, it was refreshing to see that he can still do what he has always done: simply make damn good music. There wasn't much new material, though - but then again, that is the very nature of a retrospective concert tour.

It was about time! After forays into symphonic, folk, and medieval music, the former "Policeman" finally swung his bass - which looked rather battered - once more. In high spirits, he traversed his solo catalog, including a handful of Police tracks, and wasn't afraid to leave things out: not a single song from his 1980s masterpiece *Nothing Like The Sun* was revived, and "Roxanne" didn't bask in the red glow of the spotlights either. Instead, a long-lost gem - the ballad "End Of The Game" - shone brilliantly; vocally, the charismatic Northerner was in top form, his voice as distinctive and sharp as ever.

"All This Time" fittingly opened a journey through time into the realm of the timeless - a journey dedicated entirely to the music. All the songs felt stripped of excess baggage, their melodic essence laid bare. Even the stage setup and lighting served only the most basic functions: providing a place to stand and ensuring he could be seen. Even Sting’s outfit underscored the straightforward nature of the performance: jeans and a tight-fitting T-shirt that ruthlessly highlighted the fitness of his 60-year-old physique - confirming the wisdom of the decision made by the writer of these lines to wear a baggy sweater instead.

Several backing musicians also tapped into the nostalgia factor. Returning after a long hiatus was Vinnie Colaiuta - one of the most accomplished session drummers, known for setting the bar high for himself - who first played with Sting twenty years ago. Guitarist Dominic Miller has been by the master’s side even longer, and almost continuously at that. This time, Miller even brought his own offspring along, with his son Rufus contributing backing vocals and guitar. What’s more - my, how time flies! - Sting launched his solo career and Rufus let out his first newborn wail at almost the exact same time. Rounding out the line-up were Australian Jo Lawry, lending her voice and violin skills (having previously performed on the "Symphonicities" tour), and Peter Tickell, who proved to be a virtuoso violinist - especially during two impressive solos where he played so intensely it seemed the strings might melt. However, the traditional keyboard player was - unforgivably - left out, despite there having been some truly great ones in the past. And right at the very end, all alone: "Message In A Bottle." That was when Sting finally picked up his guitar. So, it really was a case of "back to the beginning" after all! Ha!

With around 1,800 concerts under his belt as a solo artist, Sting can truly be described as a superstar who stays close to his fans. He can’t stand sitting around or boredom, so the next tour surely won’t be long in coming. But first - please! - he should head into the studio and put out some new material. That would be my wish.

(c) Salzburger Nachrichten

Sting live: Instead of hits, a big yawn...

Gordon Matthew Sumner aims to celebrate his 25-year solo career on his tour. However, Sting's celebration in Vienna was rather dull. Sting named the tour marking his solo career's 25th anniversary "Back to Bass." It was also intended as a "return to basics": musicians, their instruments, and a few white spotlights - complemented by intimate venues and a select list of tour stops.

Vienna’s Gasometer was one of them. The concert kicked off on Sunday evening to a sold-out crowd - just over a year after Sting’s orchestral performance at the Stadthalle. Two violinists and a handful of lesser-known songs carried over from that earlier show into this new one. 

Neither element adds much value. Sting fires off a few hits early on - "All This Time" and "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" - but then holds back on memorable melodies for a long stretch. There is no "Englishman In New York," no "Moon Over Bourbon Street," and no "Fragile." Instead, there is an abundance of songs from his more recent solo albums.

These quickly dampen the mood inside the Gasometer. One gets the feeling that, melodically, Sting is merely recycling clichés - his own, certainly, but tedious nonetheless when served up in such excess. Songs like "Sacred Love" and "Ghost Story" lack urgency - both in their substance and in the performances, which feel overly routine.

It helps somewhat that the 60-year-old has two accomplished musicians in his band: guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. They provide the concert’s magical moments when playing as a trio with Sting - who is equally masterful on the bass. Yet, the moment the violins kick in, the sound becomes chaotic and disjointed. Their tone fails to blend with the core rock band, instead standing out obtrusively - and doing so in every single song. Finally, "Message In A Bottle" and "Every Breath You Take" arrive, bringing a few hits and a bit of energy to the room. However, this isn't enough to redeem the thoroughly disappointing impression left by the preceding two hours.

(c) Kurier