Brand New Day: 1999/01

Sting a lacklustre performance...

Former Police bassist Sting landed in Rotterdam's Ahoy last Thursday and last night with his 'Brand New Day' tour. The eponymous CD, already available for some time, was the centrepiece of the two-hour-plus show, which ultimately proved to be a lacklustre performance.

Gordon Sumner, aka Sting, has been accused of becoming too soft for years, something that confirms with every new album. At least, that's often what it seems upon first listening. But soft or not, the 48-year-old musician is blessed with an exceptionally commercial compositional talent that allows him to craft songs from the most unusual rhythms and melodies that always resonate.

The former English teacher isn't afraid of losing fans on his idiosyncratic musical journey. He does what he feels like, not only on record but also on stage. Instead of blasting out hit after hit from the speakers, and with a few hits to his name, the packed venue was treated to an exceptionally well-rounded selection; one that the bass-playing singer was undoubtedly delighted with, but which rarely had fans jumping out of the hard plastic seats in the former sports hall.

Songs like 'Desert Rose', '1000 Years', 'Fields', 'Brand New Day', 'Seven Days', or 'I'm So Happy' were all delivered perfectly, yet without a trace of blood. But every now and then, a hint of enthusiasm could be detected among the fans; naturally, with hits like 'Set Them Free', 'Bourbon Street', 'Englishman in New York', or 'Every Breath', often featuring different arrangements. But otherwise, Ahoy too often resembled a pub with the music just a tad too loud.

It was too stylized: the décor, Sting's designer clothes, the (otherwise beautiful) light show, the perfectly playing seven-piece band, the eternal flirtation with jazz music; the numerous intricate jazz solos sometimes made us feel like we were in Nick Vollebregt's Jazz Cafe, and "Roxanne" with a muted trumpet in the background is simply unacceptable! It all fit; it fit too well.

A meagre "thank you" was all Sting had to say to his sometimes surprisingly enthusiastic fans during those two hours. Too little for someone who owes his existence to those same devoted followers.

(c) De Telegraaf

Sting concert in Ahoy: gifted, refined, but lacking in flair...

All songs with the same shrill voice

Sting in Ahoy: Heard on March 16th. A refined night out. Everything about Sting's concert in Rotterdam's Ahoy exuded good taste and harmony. Not that he leaves his fans indifferent, but stamping and cheering simply isn't in their blood. They love "the better pop music," and the quality is commensurate. Sting, alias Gordon Sumner, and his band also made a distinguished impression.

And then the music: it sounded like a bell. Rarely is such a crystal-clear soundscape achieved in Ahoy. Every guitar strum, every choir clap, yes, even every word from Sting's mouth was clearly distinguishable.

By the second song, "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free," the evening still seemed promising. A rousing rhythm, stimulating lyrics. Thematically, it fit perfectly with the optimism of his latest album, "Brand New Day," which fosters faith in the restoration of broken relationships. But it seemed as if the content mattered little, because Sting sang all the songs with the same tight, piercing voice.

So it all came down to the music itself, and in that respect, the man draws on a rich repertoire. From guaranteed sing-alongs like "Roxanne" from the Police era to the complex, jazz-infused pieces on his first solo albums. In his later work, this versatility is fused with bits of Algerian pop, Latin, soul, and, more recently, even country music. All of this came across smoothly during the concert, thanks to the excellent accompanists. But Sting didn't quite captivate the audience. Perhaps the pursuit of perfection got in his way. Or perhaps he's simply too much of a gentleman, as he sings in "Englishman in New York." Gifted, refined, but lacking in fervour.

(c) Brabants Dagblad by Ann Bouwma

Solid Sting with jazz the best...

Rotterdam - There's little to remark on the British singer and instrumentalist called Gordon Sumner, better known as Sting. He's a bit of a colorless world star with a serious image, always correct and obliging and a little predictable with his musical concerns.

He's doing well - his CD's still meet a great demand. He's involved in many good causes and he releases new CD's regularly, although in the end they don't differ much from the previous ones.

Real hits - as in The Police times or the beginning of his solo career in the early 80's - the Brit doesn't have anymore.

It has been some time since the artist visited our country the last time. March 1996 Sting performed at the Paradiso and in Rotterdam. The critics were really bad that time. An uninspiring performance and soulless band members, the press grumbled.

You can't reproach Sting for this at his gig in Ahoy'. Although his performance holds the middle between ultra solid and entertaining. In a sold out Ahoy' the star fluctuates between the old and new compositions. From an extended version of 'Roxanne' - which everyone can sing along by now - to 'If You Love Somebody' and of course 'Englishman in New York'.

But also the more recent songs from 'Brand New Day' - the record which won prizes at the last Grammy Awards - do appeal to many.

Sting sometimes recalls the atmosphere of an intimate nightclub where a muffled trumpet sounds, followed by fully dedication to country music or Arabic tunes. The Brit keeps changing the musical styles, from pop to folk, from country to jazz. In jazz the sooo controlled musician loses his reserve and takes the lead in delicious jamming. His keyboard player works overtime and the drummer and trumpet player get room for improvisation.

Sting - who once started as a bass player in a jazz combo - rarely plays solo on bass. He sparkles with his voice like e.g. in 'Tomorrow We'll See', the sequel to 'Roxanne' from The Police. The song continues the theme of love for money. ''Don't judge me'', sings Sting passionately. ''In another life, under other circumstances he could have been me.''

(c) Het Algemeen Dagblad by Amanda Kuiper/translated by Lithium Sunset