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(More customer reviews)When Sting went solo in 1985, a lot was made of his using nearly 50 percent new songs for his first BRING ON THE NIGHT tour (as if a superstar act "should" keep the new stuff to a bare minimum). Fifteen years later he is even bolder: of the eighteen songs presented here, EIGHT of them are from his latest, acclaimed BRAND NEW DAY album, and I count only eight that date from the first two decades of his career (with only three associated with the Police)!
VERY FEW veteran artists have the confidence--and the talent--to remain in the present tense after all these years, defying the overwhelming trend for established performers to become mostly oldies acts (e.g., the Stones, Prince, Earth Wind & Fire, and countless others). This is not so much a criticism of the oldies trend, but rather an indication of how uniquely Sting has positioned himself.
Some might say Sting is mellowing, but I'm looking at this beautifully-shot, wonderfully-sounding DVD and thinking that, while his use of rock elements has diminished, the music has become more assertively eclectic, with jazz, country, funk, and world music elements seamlessly morphing into a unique, "Sting" sound. The style may sound less brash than some Police recordings, but the soulful substance is deeper. I think it's a pop-culture myth that being subtle means retreating from the cutting edge--Sting continues to make a case that the opposite may be true!
The group is outstanding in their ability to tweak the new material, and to revamp some of the older songs (the once-moody song MOON OVER BOURBON STREET has become a Satchmo-like New Orleans romp). Chris Botti is the most assertive horn player in Sting's group since Branford Marsalis, and the remaining musicians are well-chosen for their ability to play as a team and to forge a truly contemporary sound for their leader. Sting himself sounds as fresh and invigorated as if he just mastered how to play the music yesterday, whether it's the new material or his timeless classic MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE.
If you're looking for Sting to take you down memory lane at this stage of his career, be forewarned that he is one of the least nostalgic pop artists on the planet...his inspiration lies mostly with the newer material. On the other hand, the new material shows his continued growth as an artist, so if you're open to his current musical vision, this DVD is highly recommended. The music is great, and the presentation (visuals, sound) is first-rate.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Sting - The Brand New Day Tour: Live From The Universal Amphitheatre (2000)
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