The Police: A Forgotten Band?

I think if you equate 'skill' with 'talent' you are making a crucial mistake. It is entirely possible to musically talented without being musically skilled. Inability to read music or play an instrument well has never stopped people from composing memorable songs.

A skilled instrumentalist can be technically dazzling but leave the listener emotionally cold; someone who knows only three chords and can only just about play them can hold an audience in rapt attention.

There are plenty of acts I like that could be categorised as punk. But I don't think 'skill' was ever a punk prerequisite.

 

I understood you and I gave you my answer: none.

 

Before Andy Summers, with original guitarist Henry Padovani the Police definitely tried to ride the punk bandwagon:

The Police - Fall Out - 1977



The Police - Nothing Achieving - 1977 Vinyle 45t

 

Have you listened to The Dream of the Blue Turtles or the live Bring on the Night? With a band that included Branford Marsalis, Omar Hakim, and Kenny Kirkland, the music is so much more than something to "have on low in the background." Admittedly, Sting's music became less compelling over time, but I thought his solo career had a good beginning.

 

30 years ago, I would've argued that each album was worse than its predecessor from "Outlandos" through "Ghost" before a bounce-back for "Synchronicity".

Now "Ghost" is my favorite Police album!

Really can't go wrong with any of them, though - all 5 albums are very good!

 

The Police clearly weren't punk: they might have seemed so if you gave them only a cursory glance and less than a cursory listen but their whole ethos was as un-punk as you could get. It wasn't just about instrumental skill levels (although they certainly mattered).

 

Excellent singles band, never made a completely satisfying album.

 

Can you say Joe Bonamassa?

 

It did; and he deserves credit for giving those musicians that kind of showcase, especially as I don't think they came cheap even at that point in their careers.

 

Even bands that weren't "punk" got that label back then - at least in the mainstream!

 

Horses for course, but no, I wasn't thinking of him.

 

Oh, I totally disagree - depending on how you define "completely satisfying album".

Each of their albums had highs and lows, so I can't claim each one included nothing but classics.

That said, I think all their albums were more than satisfying, with "Synchronicity" as the most consistent of the bunch. I like all its tracks - including "Mother"!

 

You hit the nail on the head. I remember when "Message In A Bottle" came out. It was huge and I loved it. The rest, not so much, and find I never play my Greatest Hits anymore.

 

Here's Summers in '67
Dantalian's Chariot - The Madman Running Through The Fields 1967


Psychy With Eric Burdon:
ERIC BURDON & The ANIMALS - Coloured Rain '68

Bluesy/Jazzy with Kevin Coyne
ANDY SUMMERS with KEVIN COYNE - Father, Dear Father (1977)

 

That's an absurd answer and just plain trollish. Not a single punk musician in history has ever been skilled on their instrument? Gotcha.

 

I'd guess he probably doesn't listen to a ton of punk and has a more caricatured view of it. And then probably some bands he's familiar with that he'd considered skilled he just doesn't classify as punk, maybe because of that fact.

 

I think they're doing just fine. One of the factors is that their back catalogue is wat it is; 5 albums and some singles. Their comeback/reunion tour has many hallmarks of a cash-grab without much artistic drive (no new stuff, no new album). I think they're best enjoyed in small doses.

 

I guess the (incorrect) stereotype that punk bands only know and use three chords is still prevelant.

 

don't forget "and they play those three as fast and sloppy as possible while shouting over the din."

 

If you saw them on the Sychronicity tour, you didn’t forget they were the biggest band in the world

 

Love the Police, listened to them a lot during my high school years in the late 80s. Saw the reunion concert and was massively disappointed. They did not seem to be into it at all.

 

His solo elevator music?

 

Well for example:

The first one had 3 excellent singles on it and then maybe 1 other good track and then 5 very average ones at best.

The second one had 3 excellent singles on it (inc The bed's ...) and then maybe 2 other good tracks and then 6 very average ones at best.

etc

 

When I saw Sting in 1996 he started the show with two songs from his new album to a muted response, then he played "Synchronicity II" and the place exploded.

 

I have the opposite feelings. I think heir albums are as even as anyone’s