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, combine 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, some- thing 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, 1914/ 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 I sing," 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', long 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.

Sting will be performing at Radio City Music Hall through Sept 30.

(c) The Staten Island Advance by Dean C. Balsamini