25 years solo and back to bass...

British musician Sting performed with a newly formed band in front of 3,200 people in the sold-out Beethovensaal of the Liederhalle. His long-time accompanists Vinnie Colaiuta on drums and Dominic Miller on guitar were joined by his son Rufus Miller on second guitar, Peter Tickell on violin, and vocalist Jo Lawry, who also plays violin. The new members are initially barely noticeable, but then Tickell and Lawry clearly over-emphasize their solo performances.

The main character, however, is celebrating his somewhat belated 25th stage anniversary, as a solo artist. Before that, he had a career as singer and bassist for the band Police, whose hit "Message In A Bottle" he performed solo, his foot on a stool and his hands on the acoustic guitar, in a manner that might seem strange to some. He played many of his lesser-known songs, although he could have generated greater enthusiasm with more of his hits. "Hung My Head" is featured, along with "Stolen Car," "Ghost Story," "Fortress," and "End Of The Game," but no "Englishman in New York" or "Roxanne."

His unmistakable voice worked brilliantly; Dominic Miller and Vinnie Colaiuta, in particular, shone in the band; the sound was once again solid and peppered with noble ideas. The man also seems to be in good physical shape and, even as a senior citizen, can hold his own anywhere. He plays the bass competently as always, and at the same time he sings completely independently: superb craftsmanship. Sting was there. But something was missing.

(c) Stuttgarter Zeitung by Ulrich Bauer