Aw, man, I just covered nearly my entire Sting history with you. What else could be left?
Plenty.
First of all I wanted to make clear that the previous Sting review featured a concert from the "...Nothing Like the Sun" tour. It was his second solo effort. I didn't really address that.
The tour featured here was the "Soul Cages" tour. The "Soul Cages" album was the first album to be built "from the ground up" in QSound. I know. Sounds totally impressive, right? Long story short, this album just sounded "better".
Kind of. I guess. Seems like if you had cruddy speakers, it wouldn't really matter how the album was recorded or mastered. I had a decent enough sound system at the time, and I thought it was just OK. "QSound" certainly didn't make it sound worse.
Plenty.
First of all I wanted to make clear that the previous Sting review featured a concert from the "...Nothing Like the Sun" tour. It was his second solo effort. I didn't really address that.
The tour featured here was the "Soul Cages" tour. The "Soul Cages" album was the first album to be built "from the ground up" in QSound. I know. Sounds totally impressive, right? Long story short, this album just sounded "better".
Kind of. I guess. Seems like if you had cruddy speakers, it wouldn't really matter how the album was recorded or mastered. I had a decent enough sound system at the time, and I thought it was just OK. "QSound" certainly didn't make it sound worse.
The Soul Cages album was written after a period of writer's block for Sting. His father also died during the same period. So despite the song "Mad About You" (above), many of the lyrics center around his feelings of loss.
Sting's writer's block was ended when he wrote the first song for the album called "Why Should I Cry For You?". It was always my favorite song on the album. It's a very pretty melody, paired with touching lyrics about his dad, who had regretted not being a sailor. Here's a recent rendition
Sting's writer's block was ended when he wrote the first song for the album called "Why Should I Cry For You?". It was always my favorite song on the album. It's a very pretty melody, paired with touching lyrics about his dad, who had regretted not being a sailor. Here's a recent rendition
During this time, there was a push for artists and record companies to stop using something called "longboxes"; cardboard sleeves which doubled the size of a CD, so that it could fit into the old vinyl record album racks. They also helped prevent theft (kind of). It was a serious waste of paper.
These days you may occasionally see a plastic version of a "longbox" that is removed and reused when you purchase a new CD.
The Soul Cages was released in a special cardboard sleeve that folded into a box the size of a typical CD jewel box. You have to give credit to Sting for not just talking about the environment, but actually doing something different to help the cause.
These days you may occasionally see a plastic version of a "longbox" that is removed and reused when you purchase a new CD.
The Soul Cages was released in a special cardboard sleeve that folded into a box the size of a typical CD jewel box. You have to give credit to Sting for not just talking about the environment, but actually doing something different to help the cause.
"Seriously, I do a great live version of 'Roxanne'. It's a sing-a-long. Are you absolutely sure no one here has a guitar I can use?"
Sting also stripped sown his band for the new album. His first couple of albums and tours featured about thirteen musicians performing with him. This tour featured a smaller "rock band"- type of group.
Our seats were high, and near the back. The new slower songs and warm temps in the arena, made for a sleepy night. My future ex-wife actually fell asleep at one point, thanks also to her college class schedule.
It was like a splash of cold water when Sting decided to rock it up a little bit, with Purple Haze, by Jimi Hendrix.
Our seats were high, and near the back. The new slower songs and warm temps in the arena, made for a sleepy night. My future ex-wife actually fell asleep at one point, thanks also to her college class schedule.
It was like a splash of cold water when Sting decided to rock it up a little bit, with Purple Haze, by Jimi Hendrix.
This would be the last time I would see Sting live until he toured with The Police in 2008. I saw him three times in just a few years, and got burnt out.
One last little tidbit. It was around this time that my boss went to see Sting live in a different city (Atlanta? I don't remember). Before she left, I asked her to get me Sting's autograph. She did!
One last little tidbit. It was around this time that my boss went to see Sting live in a different city (Atlanta? I don't remember). Before she left, I asked her to get me Sting's autograph. She did!
It was then that I learned that getting an autograph is a much bigger deal when there's actual interaction between the fan and the artist.
I appreciated the effort, but the fact that it's on a restaurant receipt makes it lose some of its luster. It's not like he signed MY piece of paper, you know?
Ever seen Sting? Are you a fan? Share your comments below!
I appreciated the effort, but the fact that it's on a restaurant receipt makes it lose some of its luster. It's not like he signed MY piece of paper, you know?
Ever seen Sting? Are you a fan? Share your comments below!
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