Soul Cages: 1991/92

Ex-Policeman Sting performs at Sheffield Arena....

Ask anybody who still remembers the advent of the Police in the late '70s and they'll tell you that they were international mega stars - a phenomenon that is quite rare nowadays.

Born in to a music industry that was still buzzing with the punk revolution The Police were an exciting pre-computerised, pre-sampling band who were very charismatic, and could actually play.

It was obvious, especially to other musicians, that although wrapped-up in the New Wave era they were masters of their instruments.

Perhaps it wasn't surprising then, that Sting pursued a solo career using the cream of the world's Jazz musicians to back his excellent song writing.

It is sad that now Sting cannot command a full audience at a venue the size of Sheffield's massive Arena. However, by shifting the stage forward about half way into the auditorium they overcame the problem of having thousands of empty seats.

And so the ex-teacher from Newcastle let the audience re-live some of the great songs he has written, both from the Police era and his more recent solo work.

Out came the old favourites, 'Driven To Tears' (about the horrific irony that we have the technology to witness human suffering on television. but seem unable to prevent it), then 'Roxanne' followed by 'When The World Is Running Down You Make The Best Of What's Still Around'. 

They're all songs that provide plenty of scope for scorching jazz solos. It was a slight shame that these could only be provided either from ace keyboard man, David Sancious or the guitarist, Dominic Miller. In the past Sting has had bigger bands featuring soloists like Branford Marsalis. 

Then, as if the evening was becoming too high-brow, David Sancious picked up a guitar and the band launched in to Hendrix's 'Purple Haze', complete with '60s style revolving oil filter lighting.

The crowd seemed to enjoy the old Police numbers.' Walking On The Moon', which was welcomed like an old friend, was superbly played by Sting's drummer who emulated Stuart Copeland's echoed hi-hats perfectly.

'Every Breath You Take' sounded great but how strange to bring on four backing singers just for this one song.

Sting played two encores, he introduced his final song by saying, "This one's for Freddie" and began playing the acoustic and very beautiful 'Fragile'.

This was a fitting end to a performance that was a blend of subtlety, strength and superb musicianship.

(c) York Press by Sam Rowntree

Sting recaptures the old magic...

There were times when Sting was a very big name.

He still is a popular rock star but judging by the size of the crowd at Sheffield Arena on Tuesday this could well be dwindling.

Fans who missed the show possibly because they thought the singer/songwriter was going to concentrate on his solo materials would have been disappointed.

The former head of 80s band The Police did eventually play some of the old songs which set the audience alight.

But tracks from his latest album 'The Soul Cages' were also appreciated by the crowd.

The material on vinyl has a jazz feel to it but live, the rock star in Sting takes over.

At times the music was contemplative, had a touch of soul to it with jazz and pure rock thrown in.

And Sting appeared not to want all the limelight for himself the three members of the backing band were all given their own chance to shine as the concert went along with keyboard player David Sancious the star.

The show had one more delight - a support act that was talented. John O'Kane is a singer embarking on his career and judging by the performance he gave it should not be long before he too could be headlining at such venues.

(c) Lincolnshire Echo by Theresa Knight

He can still Sting...

The pedestal that Sting sits on is as firm as ever the environmental campaigning Geordie is destined for greatness.

I saw him last week at Sheffield and advise anyone still contemplating a visit to the NEC in Birmingham this weekend not to miss the gig of the year!

The former teacher wowed us with classic after classic reminding us of the major part he has played in contemporary music. From his days in The Police he plays 'Walking On The Moon', 'Roxanne' and 'Message In A Bottle'; his early solo stuff includes 'Fortress Around Your Heart', 'We'll Be Together' and 'Set Them Free' and then of course there's the tracks from his excellent '91 LP 'The Soul Cages'.

The programme tells us that Sting found this album hard to write and was forced to return to his Newcastle homeland to find his inspiration. The long wait was worth it - 'The Soul Cages' is a personal masterpiece.

After bouncing from hit to hit for 90 minutes, Sting slows everything down with 'Every Breath You Take' and his tear-jerking encore of 'Fragile' in honour of Freddie Mercury sums up the perfect night.

Sting only uses three musicians throughout the whole set and the evening wreaks of perfection without becoming unnatural - there's no flash stage antics and no glorious light show, just great music and poignant songs.

Many might think Sting has lost his bearings with music as he lets his environmental rantings get the better of him but, believe me, he is a man with a mission and he is still utterly brilliant live.

(c) Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph 

Polished but slightly predictable...

Travelling two hours to see any concert either whets the appetite or kills it completely. So it was a great relief to watch Sting put in a polished, if somewhat predictable, performance.

New numbers from the 'Soul Cages' album, 'All This Time' and 'Jerimiah Blues', started off the concert but it wasn't until some vintage Sting numbers like 'Fortress Around Your Heart' and 'If You Love Someone Set Them Free' that the arena started to rock and the sheer ability of the man (if you didn't know it already) and his backing musicians hit home.

Guitarist Dominic Miller, keyboardist David Sancious and drummer Vinne Colaiuta shone in their own right.

Fans really started to move when the Police numbers 'Roxanne', 'Message in a Bottle', 'Every Breath You Take' and 'Walking on the Moon' were played with gusto. Of the two encores, the last, 'We Are Fragile Too', was dedicated to the late Freddie Mercury.

Final words of praise for warm-up entertainer Vinx who followed on from the OK John O'Kane. Vinx, with just a drum for accompaniment and a great voice, brought a somewhat restrained audience to life before the main star appeared. 

(c) The Scarborough Evening News

Tribute is his Sting in the tail...

Maybe it was his rain forest capers, maybe the dreary LP, but Sting's fans were thin on the ground at Sheffield Arena this week. 

But, despite the vast empty spaces around the hall, the former Policeman's show was one to treasure.

At first, though, it looked like the stay-at-homes were right. 'The Soul Cages' album is Sting's worst move yet.

But as the band loosened up, he rolled out the old songs- and the crowd erupted. 'Roxanne', 'Walking On The Moon', 'If You Love Somebody Set Them Free', 'Every Breath You Take' and a storming 'Message In A Bottle' were all highlights.

The more upbeat the song, the bigger the impact. The one exception was the final encore - a moving version of 'Fragile', dedicated to Freddie Mercury - which showed at last how touching he could be.

(c) Evening Telegraph by Sean Hewitt

Stung into inaction...

And just as I was nodding off, the strains of 'Roxanne' nudged me out of my slumber.

It didn't last, and even through this classic my eyes started to feel heavy.

This was a weak performance, punctuated only by dullness. Perhaps it was because the arena was at least a third empty.

Okay, okay, I'll admit it. I'm not a Sting diehard, nor am I a fan of these large scale affairs, but I wasn't the first to leave early.

It was all just a bit like a new settee - comfy, pleasant to look at and bland.

The musicians were sound enough and it was a simple four-piece outfit, including the king of charisma himself.

But the closest we came to 'danger' or 'excitement' was when the band lapsed into rehearsed bouts of spontaneous second-rate jazz.

Oh yes, I nearly forgot, Sting actually jumped into the air at one point.

(c) Lancashire Telegraph by Richard Slater