A Police story...

Dashing in and out of limousines, scarves covering their faces. Backstage at the Boston Garden, waiting to go on, surrounded by security guards. Sting, dancing, dressed in commando chic, Andy Summers and Stuart Copeland in sweatsuit and running shorts.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Police," and the crowd explodes as they run up onto the stage, the spotlight wandering to find its target. "Just a castaway... an island lost at sea" - Sting singing 'Message in the Bottle'. Copeland and Summers playing their unmistakable blend of pop and reggae.

The first night of their latest tour of the Americas (it will take them through the U.S. and South America) went rather well for "The Band That Got Everything Right," a label Musician tagged them with in a recent article.

And they do seem to get everything right. The Police are three talented and photogenic blondes (albeit dyed) who write songs that are so contagious they invade your unconscious: 'De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da' singsongs in your head whether you want it to or not.

They sounded excellent except for some minor volume problems. After coming out and assaulting the audience with their top of the pops hits, they settled into a long and fascinating set. 'Invisible Sun', 'Walking on the Moon', 'Spirits in the Material World', 'Bring on the Night' and their encore, 'So Lonely' were highlights.

The Police were complemented by a horn section that filled their music out nicely. Gone are the days of endless jamming because of lack of material. In its place are lengthened compositions, Sting's remarkable voice, and soaring instrumentals.

They ran off stage, were wrapped in biankets held by their security crew, into the limousines, and off to three hundred dollar a night hotel suites. And the story goes that four years ago when they came to Boston to play at the Rat they slept in their van. "The Band That Got Everything Right, "right? And they're doing it all again, at the Boston Garden, April 12.

© Unidentified magazine by Julie Panebianco (with thanks to Dietmar)

Other Recent items