All in a day's work...
Don't hate me, but among my duties as music columnist for Seaway News is to
attend fabulous concerts, take pictures and write about them. So when I heard a
few months ago that Sting would be coming to Ottawa, I knew that it was my duty
to make him the subject of my August column.
It's not as easy as it sounds though; there is an application and screening
process for media interested in covering any concert event, but as my muse would
have it, I was eventually approved by the powers that be to photograph and
review the show - I was truly honoured.
Having reworked and arranged for orchestra twenty-five songs from his
illustrious career, spanning over 30 years, Sting, was now touring with the
fabulous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra following the release of his latest album,
Symphonicity (remember Synchronicity?).
It's always a thrill to be behind the scene at these big event, and every once
in a while, the planets align just right, and I get a bit more than I even
bargained for.
On the day of the concert, members of the media were asked to meet before the
show for a briefing at a designated area, from where we would then to be
escorted through the underground corridors, back stage at Scotiabank Place, to
the sound booth from where we would be permitted to photograph the show for a
couple of numbers.
We were still back stage making our way to the booth, when suddenly out from
behind a curtain and into our path emerged a handsome, blond, very fit man,
dressed in black jeans and a white shirt. It took me a moment - shock, perhaps -
for it to finally register that Sting was standing in front of me. As we were
urged on passed him by security, rubbernecking as we walked, he grinned at our
group's obviously surprise at see him standing there and teasingly said,
''There's nothing to see here.''! We walked on still stunned, but delighted by
the timing! Kismet.
Opening with 'If I Ever Lose My Faith In You', a relaxed and charismatic, Sting,
whose voice was as strong and skilled as it was the first time I hear him belt
out 'Roxanne', in the late seventies, is certainly the personification of the
benefits of Yoga.
''This is the biggest band I've ever had,'' said Sting about the 45 world-class
musicians behind him, lead by the very enthusiastic Maestro Steven Mercurio.
From 'Desert Rose' and 'Englishman in New York' to 'Fragile' and 'Mad About
You', these orchestrated versions worked as well, and sometimes better than the
originals, adding to the dramatics of the numbers. Make no mistake though; this
was still a Rock concert with plenty of dancing, crowd participation, and the
occasional ''F'' bomb.
A talented story teller - as is evident in his lyrics - Sting introduced each
song with an anecdote about his life, or insight on his inspiration for the
composition. The music usually comes first, he explained, and then I let my muse
decide what it's about.
With his dry wit and Rock star cockiness, he candidly reminisced about his love
for Westerns as a child, the dark night in New Orleans that inspired 'Moon Over
Bourbon Street', and his short but arduous career as a cruise ship singer. ''I
f*#*%g hated it,'' he said.
Most revealing of all his tales was his introduction to 'Why Should I Cry For
You?'. ''He was a tough old bird,'' said Sting about his father, a milk man, who
died 25 years ago. ''My ancestors were seafarers and shipbuilders. One day he
took me down to the shipyard and said, 'When you leave school, go to sea.' He
wanted me to have an exciting life. Of course, I disappointed him,'' he jested.
The concert ended after four encores, with a moving acapella verse of 'I Was
Brought To My Senses'.
At 58 years old and in top form, Sting once again proved his brilliance and
continued relevance in music today.
(c) Seaway News by Roxanne Delage