Monday, February 12, 2007

Outlandish D'Amour

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we are The Police and we’re back.”

With that, Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland ripped open the Grammy’s and reunited after nearly twenty years last night. They rocked ... but only kinda. They played “Roxanne,” which was a supreme disappointment to me.

Of all the songs they could have pulled from the catalog, why that one? Sure it’s the most identifiable – other than maybe “Every Breath You Take.” But music has changed a bit in the 20 years you’ve been off doing solo projects and making film scores, boys. The Police rocked in their prime. And to rock now, they have to rock harder than that.

“Next to You” would have been my choice. Take a look at this and tell me this isn't a band you'd go see live. Or "Truth Hits Everybody." Hype it up, play it fast and blow the doors off the joint. It would have at least made those losers in the front “pit” jump up and down a bit. They’ve all heard “Roxanne” so many times, it didn’t feel unique to them. It felt like it looked - a bunch of old guys playing a song you've heard too many times.

So the tour was announced today at the Whiskey-a-Go-Go. Impressive locale. Maybe it will be more than a greatest hits effort to make money. But, at $225 a ticket for the best seats, I have my doubts. Shows all over the place, including Fenway on July 28 (I think I’m away, sadly) and closing the North American tour out at MSG on Aug. 1 and 3. That’s cool.

Anybody wanna go to New York ? Nothing like a show as the Garden, nothin'.

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