Blue Turtles: 1985/86

Sting entertains with every breath he takes...

In January, Sting planted the seeds for his musical future when he joined forces with a young but exceptionally talented group of musicians. Last night at Radio City Musical Hall, those seeds sprouted in full bloom.

"I'd like for you to give a big hand to my band," Sting told the crowd. "I think they're great." The man thinks right. It is hard to name an ensemble today with as much promise as the one Sting has assembled. Omar Hakim on drums, Darryl Jones, bass; Kenny Kirkland, keyboards and Branford Marsalis, saxophone, com- bine youthful enthusiasm and daring with fine jazz-influenced musicianship to create a style that is difficult to label.

Sting and his new colleagues played a tight two-hour-plus set that had everyone forgetting about the Police. The singer-actor looked remarkably comfortable onstage; smiling, dancing, and just having a great time, something that wasn't always apparent with his former group.

Clad in yellow shirt and white pants, Sting opened the set with 'Shadows in the Rain', from his current LP, 'The Dream of the Blue Turtles'. Obviously, most of that album's material was showcased, but surprisingly enough, many in the audience were familiar with each of the songs played, singing right along, cheering wildly.

While Sting is heading in a different musical direction, combining rock with jazz, and rhythm and blues, he has not forgotten his past. Seven "Police" songs were incorporated into the set, including a fiery version of "Demolition Man," from the "Ghost in the Machine" LP and "Driven to Tears," which featured an interesting addition of the soprano saxophone by Marsalis, easily the best young horn player in music today.

"This is a cheerful song about many things," Sting said sarcastically, introducing 'Children's Crusade', a song depicting the senselessness of war. "Young men, soldiers, 19, 14/ Marching through countries they'd never seen/ Virgins with rifles, a game of charades / All for a children's crusade."

'Moon Over Bourbon Street', a song inspired by Anne Rice's novel 'Interview with a Vampire', provided one of the evening's highlights. "I would appreciate it if you would not make any noise while Sting asked. He proceeded to sing the tune a cappella, with Marsalis lending a nice touch by adding periodical sax runs.

'I Pray for You', a song from Sting's first movie 'Brimstone and Treacle', provided a stark contrast to what overall was an upbeat evening.

'If You Love Somebody Set Them Free', the final song of the regular set, exemplified just how much fun Sting is having these days. Backup vocalists Dolette McDonald and Janice Pendarvis sang "love somebody," and Sting glanced back, waved defiantly, retorting "set them free!"

It appears that the former leader of the Police has also been set free - artistically that is. No matter how good the Police were, (are, if you still believe the split is only temporary), Sting had to be a bit frustrated because of the constraints placed on a power trio.

With the addition of horns and jazz-influenced musicians, Sting's songs in concert appear to spontaneously change tempo according to the feel. It's analogous to traveling down an unknown path, but nonetheless excited about where it may lead you.

"What do you wanna hear?" Sting asked during the encore, obviously taken by the way the audience enveloped the new group.

'Every Breath You Take', along with hauntingly beautiful acoustic versions of 'Roxanne' and 'Message in a Bottle' were what the crowd requested - and got.

As the band was leaving the stage, someone tossed a stuffed animal toward Sting. He picked it up, smiled triumphantly and tucked it safely under his arm. It could easily have been his audience.

(c) Staten Island Advance by Dean C. Balsamini

Sting at Radio City...

Sold out was plastered all over the fly posters; but selling in would have been more appropriate. Sting has come full circle in the ten years since The Police's first single, 'Nothing Achieving', a punk thrash.

Well, there were no spiky tops tonight. A 5,000 strong audience emerged from basements and subways after Hurricane Gloria had swept the streets of New York clean. And why? To see Sting singing, skanking and flailing his arms like a white Bob Marley along with America's highest paid black session musicians, including Branford Marsalis (athletic bass and dapper suit) and Omar Hakim (drums). Sting frequently withdrew from the limelight to allow these classy jazz/blues professionals the freedom to rock.

When up front, Sting charmed the audience with warmth, charisma and energy. He danced with the band, racing from corner to corner of the stage and introduced songs to cheers of delight on a simply lit stage. A mix of solo and Police songs were punctuated by occasional drum solos and overly-long jamming sessions.

'Love Is The Seventh Wave' and the new love song, 'If You Love Somebody Set Them Free' plus 'Roxanne' and 'Message In A Bottle' were ecstatically received, leading to the match-and-lighter-igniting ritual.

The audience are here for him. He's sexy, fit, charming, intelligent and rich. Therein lies his appeal - an icon of achievement and a natural performer.

(c) Record Mirror by Vicki Victory

Solo Sting hits with full force...

Sometimes it takes an English teacher to make math simple.

The school days of Sting may be long gone, but the ex-high school instructor proved to the sell-out crowd at Radio City Music Hall last night that one minus two members of The Police doesn't necessarily add up to a negative number.

Venturing out on his first solo tour, the charismatic Police bassist made all the right moves, leaving the crowd screaming for more even after three encores at the second of six sold-out shows here.

Sting (aka Gordon Sumner) effectively blended material from his recent LP, 'The Dream of the Blue Turtles', with a healthy helping of Police favourites, often breaking from the structure of the recorded versions for jazzy excursions that highlighted the strong back-up band's talents. The group was an impressive unit that featured jazz stars Branford Marsalis on sax and keys, Omar Hakim on drums, Kenny Kirkland on keys, Darryl Jones on bass and two unidentified female back-up singers.

Dressed in a lemon-yellow shirt, blue sweater and white pants, Sting surprised many in the crowd by walking out unannounced with guitar (not bass) in hand and immediately launching a Police standard, 'Shadows in the Rain'. Unfortunately, he also caught the sound man by surprise only the vocals and guitar were distinguishable for the song's duration.

But that proved to be the only low note of the night, as Sting's performance underlined the reasons that make him one of the most identifiable stars of the '80s.

He moved with a stage presence that carried the crowd's attention for every moment of the show. The per- former pogoed about the stage in a controlled frenzy, alternately dancing with Jones or teasing the audience, loping along the apron of the stage.

Highlights of the show could be equally divided into Sting's new solo works and Police favourites.

From the solo side, there was the bouncy hit single 'If You Love Somebody Set Them Free', a funky jam that got the house rocking, and 'Children's Crusade', a number that shifted time-signatures and showcased the saxophone talents of Marsalis.

For those who wouldn't be content without a nod to the band who made him a superstar, Sting offered solo acoustic guitar renditions of 'Roxanne' and 'Message in a Bottle' during the encores, unusual readings that proved a great song will still be great even if the production is stripped bare.

Will The Police ever reunite? Even if there isn't a ghost-in-the-machine of a chance, it appears Sting will provide fans with enough lessons in fine music-making to keep everyone happy.

(c) Courier News by Bruce Haring