Billy Joel and Sting took to the Tampa stage last night for one-night-only concerts, performing solo sets as well as appearing on one another’s setlists and performing one of their songs.
Sting began his set with “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” with Joel joining in later to duet on Piano Man’s 1980 hit, “Big Man on Mulberry Street”. You can view clips in our gallery.
Sting & Shaggy
Sting and Shaggy make one of the more unusual musical pairings around, with 44/876 becoming an instant classic thanks to their unlikely collaboration. Critics laughed but couldn’t help appreciating even songs which might make no sense on paper like Roxanne/Boombastic, thanks to their different styles and personalities working as one unit.
Sting’s deracinated, shapeshifting croon surprisingly blends well with Shaggy’s soft toasting and soulful caw, making for an impressive pairing. Additionally, both individuals contribute original material while their tropical-pop sound is further augmented by Branford Marsalis on sax and Robbie Shakespeare on bass.
This album is enjoyable and brings some welcome humor into Police songs that sometimes feel overly serious. Even Crooked Tree, with its whimsical role reversal (Shaggy as judge and Sting as defendant), works great live; even their age gap doesn’t hinder their partnership onstage – and a tour is currently planned!
Sting & Sting
Rain didn’t dampen Saturday night’s concert by rock icon Sting at Rogers Arena. Instead, the 72-year-old rock icon opened with an energetic rendition of “Heavy Cloud No Rain,” featuring its catchphrase – ‘the clouds won’t go until their work is done.”
After changing into his iconic Police song, “Message in a Bottle”, he donned black suit and hat in order to perform “Message in a Bottle.” Later during Joel’s set he came back out on stage again to perform piano with him and harmonize.
Sting’s band — led by longtime guitarist Dominic Miller and Jamaican reggae veteran Shane Singer on harmonica — was an exercise in ease. Even when music demanded intense concentration – like when performing “Brand New Day”, when its bass line required special attention – Singer managed it effortlessly while showing his remarkable improvisation skills.
Sting & The Police
After performing solo for about 15 minutes, Sting transitioned seamlessly to The Police songs, such as my personal favorite “Outlandos d’Amour.” Its lyrics of war, poverty and hunger remain as poignant today as they did then.
Sting’s latest album, My Songs, includes new versions of his hit songs from both solo and Police careers. Its release coincided with his tour and served as a reminder of just how ubiquitous many of his tunes have become in popular culture.
He made two fundraiser concerts with the Florida Orchestra as part of their annual gala weekend fundraiser concerts, each one drawing sold-out crowds on Thursday and Friday nights – proof of their popularity both among audiences as well as with him personally.
Sting & The New York Philharmonic
The singer and orchestra created an exquisite harmony, moving seamlessly from compassionate pastorality to rock-driving intensity. “Moon Over Bourbon Street” saw strings and horns creating a rippling backdrop which built to an unforgettable crescendo; similarly, on “Fields of Gold”, Sting evoked deep emotion as he imagined his children running freely among 16th-century ruin near Stonehenge that he witnessed for himself.
The set mostly featured classic hits with some unexpected album cuts thrown in for good measure. At times, his voice faltered; but was quickly made up for by Joel duetting with him on “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.” Additionally, frontloading his first set with ballads such as an aching clarinet throughline on “Englishman in New York” and amphitheaterwide singalong on “Roxanne”. Additionally, fresh energy was brought to classic songs like “Message in a Bottle”, “Brand New Day” and “Fields of Gold”, before closing with “Desert Rose”, before bowing and leaving stage.