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February 12, 2007

"Roxanne" 2007: A Jazz Odyssey

So, we broke even. Transposed down to suit Sting's vocal cords, spaced out for the benefit of the young, drug-loving generation next, The Police celebrated the 30th anniversary of "Roxanne" by playing "Roxanne." Stewart looked awfully spry with his traditional-gripping drum fills; Oysterhead did him good! Take a bow, guys.

Fifteen minutes to thepolicerehearsals.com! Beantown and Bonnaroo down, full tour announcement to go.

Posted at 1:45 PM
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36 Comments

Police were fucking BORING. Roxanne? Sting plays that song on his solo tours. Every radio station plays that constantly. Every bar band plays that tune.

Thanks Police! That was worth waiting for.

Posted by: Bernie at 02/12/07 1:48 PM | Reply
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i was glad the police were playing everything "live" until those stupid pre-recorded backup vocals came in during the chorus... it wouldve been way cooler with out and would have proved more of a point.

Posted by: emily at 02/12/07 1:53 PM | Reply
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Who is singing backup?

Posted by: Spencer at 02/12/07 1:54 PM | Reply
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You'd think that since they were hyping up the appearance of The Police so much that they wouldn't have blown their load in the first five minutes of the show and rather waited until the end for their performance.

Posted by: MacKenzie at 02/12/07 2:07 PM | Reply
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some things are better left dead. So much SG build up and this is what we get...

am i surprised? no. disappointed? yes. in myself.

Posted by: TonyHasCooties at 02/12/07 2:08 PM | Reply
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The Police are having a LIVE rehearsal right now on VH1 Classic: Mon. 2/12 2-3pm

Posted by: Christopher at 02/12/07 2:10 PM | Reply
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As with the Grammy performance last night on the live rehearsal (tour announcement) they have gone all jazzy again.

Posted by: Webbie at 02/12/07 2:10 PM | Reply
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It's in the same key as the original recording, not tuned down.

Posted by: Jon at 02/12/07 2:12 PM | Reply
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All praise the lord god Best Buy ! They have brung us the messiah's !

Posted by: Webbie at 02/12/07 2:15 PM | Reply
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At least of part of my $50-200 will be going to wateraid http://www.wateraid.org/uk/

Stewart Copeland is officially the coolest person ever

sting just said they'll be better than ever- he better deliver

Posted by: ian at 02/12/07 2:20 PM | Reply
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It's not transposed. It's in the same key. He just doesn't go as high on the chorus.

not to be a prick, just sayin' dudes.

Posted by: jed2 at 02/12/07 2:20 PM | Reply
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Hey Sting, jordan knight from the new kids on the block called. he wants his vest back when you're done.

Posted by: yomomma at 02/12/07 2:21 PM | Reply
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Coldplay should break up so in 2025 years they could headline the Grammy awards and treat us to a slowed down version of "Yellow."

Boy, I can't wait.

Posted by: mattshu at 02/12/07 2:25 PM | Reply
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Copeland still the best mad bastard drummer around.

Posted by: Webbie at 02/12/07 2:35 PM | Reply
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Where were the dancers? You know, the ones dressed up as dollar signs? Probably could've filled that stage with them.

Posted by: Alex at 02/12/07 2:47 PM | Reply
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Yeah, 'cause I'm sure Sting, Stewart and Andy are really hurting for dough...

Posted by: Darren at 02/12/07 2:57 PM | Reply
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Well.....Andy might...

Posted by: rt at 02/12/07 3:01 PM | Reply
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I actually liked Scrantonicity's version better because it was so damn funny and awful.

Posted by: Tony G at 02/12/07 3:06 PM | Reply
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shit, what a bunch of fucking cynics. nothing can get me down about this tour. nothing.

does anyone have the full list of tour stops yet?

Posted by: kevin at 02/12/07 3:07 PM | Reply
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dudes. this rocked so fucking hard. SO HARD. shut up.

Posted by: !!!!! at 02/12/07 3:15 PM | Reply
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You know, I'm not 100% behind the new arrangement of Roxanne, and I miss Sting's higher vocals, but it's just fucking awesome to see them playing together again. I'm sure I'll never be able to get my hands on, or afford, tickets to a show, but I'm still stoked. Hopefully they won't use pre-recorded backup vocals (i.e. the "Roxanne"s in the chorus) in the future, though.

Posted by: Matthew at 02/12/07 3:28 PM | Reply
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mattshu, but if it means that Coldplay breaks up, we're all for it.

Posted by: Memememe at 02/12/07 3:28 PM | Reply
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ahh!! Who's the creepy black dude with the hat at the very end? Freaked me out...

Posted by: omg at 02/12/07 3:32 PM | Reply
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You people are grumpy. The Police rock.

Posted by: Patrick at 02/12/07 3:39 PM | Reply
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Yeah, they rock. But jazz versions of their rockness doesn't really rock. I agree with the disappointment about choosing Roxanne as a song last night, but at least they didn't yap about a bunch of political bullshit. We can all thank jeebus for that.

Posted by: Memememe at 02/12/07 3:48 PM | Reply
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I was hoping they would play Wield the Spade.

Posted by: dannygutters at 02/12/07 3:55 PM | Reply
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god, you guys are idiots.....

it's the anniversary of ROXANNE....

of course, they're gonna play ROXANNE....

and it's a kick ass song....

and they sounded good playing it live after a 20 year break....

it's nice to see a power trio....

and good to see andy is still alive....

stewart plays like no one ever has...

and sting....is well, sting....

i'd go to a police show....that's for gotdam sure!

Posted by: maya lucia at 02/12/07 3:58 PM | Reply
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As far as drummer geekiness goes, Stewart Copeland was playing traditional grip, not matched grip.

Posted by: Slippers at 02/12/07 4:00 PM | Reply
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Lame Tour Dates just came out. Yay!

Vancouver GM Place - May 28
Seattle Key Arena - June 6
Denver Pepsi Center - June 9
Las Vegas MGM Garden Arena - June 15
Bonnaroo Festival - June 16
Phoenix US Airwaves Arena - June 18
Dallas American Airlines Center - June 26
New Orleans Arena - June 30
St Louis Scottrade Center - July 2
Toronto Air Canada Center - July 22
Montreal Bell Centre - July 25
Boston Fenway Park - July 28
New York Madison Square Garden - August 1& 3

Posted by: Bernie at 02/12/07 4:06 PM | Reply
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Jesus. The music was OK, I guess, but Sting's smugness was unbearable. Get over yourself, pal. You'll never be anywhere near as good as you think you are.

Posted by: KJB at 02/12/07 4:56 PM | Reply
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You are witnesses of the new birth of The Police Mark II. I hope you enjoy our new direction.

Posted by: rgr_moore at 02/12/07 6:03 PM | Reply
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I can't believe the negatrons here. I'm psyched for the tour, and they simply sounded great. I didn't get to see them at age 12 and now I can.

Posted by: Gordon at 02/12/07 7:36 PM | Reply
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Copeland always plays that way - still one of the maddest and tightest drummers on the planet. Worth putting up with Sting to see and hear, anyway...

Posted by: chips at 02/12/07 8:40 PM | Reply
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Can you believe Andy Summers is older than Mick Jagger? It was kinda cool but did they have to slow it down? and yeah those backing vocals were SO wrong. Not as wrong as they were back in the day. Stewart & Andy would chime in to hilarious results. Regardless, they're all talented and it's cool to see 'em play together like that without Gwen Stefani & John Mayer jumping onstage to help.

Posted by: adam at 02/12/07 10:58 PM | Reply
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a-ha! this was one of many reunions in the 80's but i had a cassette of it and always remembered Andy's bum note at 1:53.

Posted by: adam at 02/13/07 12:13 AM | Reply
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This won't mean much to the non-Brits out there, but - why is Jeffrey Archer singing with the Police?!

Posted by: Danothebaldyheid at 02/13/07 9:31 AM | Reply
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