Sacred Love: 2003/05

Music Sting - Apostle of Love in Ahoy'...

The do-gooder in Sting has - for now? - made way for the apostle of love. No pointed remarks about the American elections, therefore, at the first catch-up concert by the British pop veteran (53) in the packed Ahoy'. Nor were there any references to the brutal murder of fellow artist Theo van Gogh earlier that day in Amsterdam. Instead, there were plenty of musical variations on the most beautiful thing that currently exists for him as a wiser, old man: sacred love.

Sting had to interrupt his 'Sacred Love' Tour in May (including a last-minute absence in Rotterdam) due to a throat infection that had been plaguing him for quite some time. In hindsight, fans won't be sad about that, because the six-month postponement proved rewarded with a Gordon Sumner (real name) in top form.

Right from the opening, "Send Your Love," he displayed a classic eagerness, which he would maintain for nearly two hours. Whenever his husky voice threatened to fail him, he cleverly enlisted the help of his equally enthusiastic supporters. For example, at the start of "Roxanne," which was drawn out almost endlessly, as if its special treatment symbolized Sting's now well-known preference for hours of foreplay in bed.

Reverting to the 11,000-member choir was far from risky, as the former head of The Police relied heavily on the golden repertoire of the past two decades. With the understanding that all those familiar gems (such as "Every Little She Does Is Magic," "Fragile," "Fields Of Gold," "Englishman in New York") were served up with extra succulence. This was partly thanks to the generous scope regularly granted to the jazzy instrumentalists in his seven-piece backing group (particularly guitarist Dominic Miller).

Surprise guest appearances, like those earlier on this tour by Annie Lennox and Herbie Hancock, were absent. Support act Chris Botti, a regular band member during the 'Brand New Day' Tour four years ago, did pop in briefly for a short trumpet solo.

Far more impressive, however, was the vocal feat of choir singer Joy Rose, who, alongside the blonde maestro, made "Whenever I Say Your Name" the only new song to become a spontaneous crowd-pleaser.

(c) De Gelderlander by Louis de Moulin

Music Sting - Apostle of Love in Ahoy'...

The do-gooder in Sting has - for now? - made way for the apostle of love. No pointed remarks about the American elections, therefore, at the first catch-up concert by the British pop veteran (53) in the packed Ahoy'. Nor were there any references to the brutal murder of fellow artist Theo van Gogh earlier that day in Amsterdam. Instead, there were plenty of musical variations on the most beautiful thing that currently exists for him as a wiser, old man: sacred love.

Sting had to interrupt his 'Sacred Love' Tour in May (including a last-minute absence in Rotterdam) due to a throat infection that had been plaguing him for quite some time. In hindsight, fans won't be sad about that, because the six-month postponement proved rewarded with a Gordon Sumner (real name) in top form.

Right from the opening, "Send Your Love," he displayed a classic eagerness, which he would maintain for nearly two hours. Whenever his husky voice threatened to fail him, he cleverly enlisted the help of his equally enthusiastic supporters. For example, at the start of "Roxanne," which was drawn out almost endlessly, as if its special treatment symbolized Sting's now well-known preference for hours of foreplay in bed.

Reverting to the 11,000-member choir was far from risky, as the former head of The Police relied heavily on the golden repertoire of the past two decades. With the understanding that all those familiar gems (such as "Every Little She Does Is Magic," "Fragile," "Fields Of Gold," "Englishman in New York") were served up with extra succulence. This was partly thanks to the generous scope regularly granted to the jazzy instrumentalists in his seven-piece backing group (particularly guitarist Dominic Miller).

Surprise guest appearances, like those earlier on this tour by Annie Lennox and Herbie Hancock, were absent. Support act Chris Botti, a regular band member during the 'Brand New Day' Tour four years ago, did pop in briefly for a short trumpet solo.

Far more impressive, however, was the vocal feat of choir singer Joy Rose, who, alongside the blonde maestro, made "Whenever I Say Your Name" the only new song to become a spontaneous crowd-pleaser.

(c) Rotterdam Dagblad by Louis Du Moulin