Ghost In The Machine: 1981/82

Arresting concert keeps 17,000 Police fans happy...

Almost every little thing the Police did was magic Tuesday night as the hard-working trio rocked Reunion Arena with the spare, yet complex rhythms that have carried them to the top of the record charts.

And it was those top-charting hit singles like Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic that brought the big gest reactions from the crowd of 17,000, by far the largest crowd the Police ever had played to in the Metroplex.

Although the Police are a serious- minded group that records music with meaningful lyrics, the simple slant they take with that music makes it highly accessible. And that has resulted in mass popularity.

Aided by a three-piece horn section, the three Policemen - lead singer Sting (real name Gordon Sumner), lead guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland- opened with 'Message In A Bottle' and 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic' and hit all the points of their career during the 90 minutes of music that followed.

After playing a stand-up bass on those first two numbers. Sting switched to the standard electric bass for 'Spirits In The Material World'. the group's latest hit single from its fourth album, 'Ghost In The Machine'.

With Sting coordinating his bass with Copeland's crisp drum shots and the talented Summers (once a member of Eric Burdon and the Animals) filling out the sound with his exceptional guitar work, the band worked its way through a set that included 'When The World Is Running Down'; 'De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da'; 'Demolition Man'; 'Shadows In The Rain'; 'Walking On The Moon'; 'Bring On The Night' and 'One World'.

One of the high points came late in the show with the haunting 'Invisible Sun', a track from the current LP that could be the next single.

Then came a sing-along version of 'Roxanne', the Police's 1979 break- through hit, and that was followed by three encore selections - 'Don't Stand So Close To Me', 'Can't Stand Losing You' and 'So Lonely'.

Austin rockers Joe "King" Carrasco and the Crowns performed well in their 48-minute preliminary stint. Carrasco twice jumped off the stage and walked around the arena floor playing his guitar. Highlights of the 10-tune set included 'Don't Bug Me Baby' and Question Mark and the Mysterians' '96 Tears'.

Carrasco earned an encore for his efforts, no small feat here since Dallas audiences have been less than hospitable to many recent opening acts. Carrasco recently signed a recording contract with MCA. So his long-awaited national breakthrough may be on the horizon.

(c) The Fort Worth Star Telegram by Roger Kaye