| St. Louis Post Despatch | Uncharacteristically cool weather and on-and-off rain may have kept some fans away from the Sting/Annie Lennox concert that drew an estimated crowd of over 11,000 to UMB Bank Pavilion Saturday night, but didn't take the heat off of one of the season's most anticipated shows.
Lennox, who hasn't played these parts nearly often enough, was the deserved highlight of an evening full of pop music for grownups (no slight to Sting, but Lennox has been grabbing a nice share show-stealing reviews).
Lennox proved to be a formidable support act during her hour-long set that focused on both her acclaimed solo career and her time well spent with the synth-pop duo the Eurythmics. Lennox is never thought of as a soul singer, but experiencing her intensity live leaves no doubt. She delivers the goods straight from her inner being.
While her onstage chatter was a little questionable (``Which city are we in? I like to know where I am…Do you know who I am, because sometimes I forget''), there was no denying her often haunting vocals, highly watchable stage presence, and the way she gets caught up in her material. Songs from her solo CDs such as ``Cold'' from 1992's ``Diva'' and "Pavement Cracks'' from last year's ``Bare'' got the crowd primed for Eurythmics hits ``Here Comes the Rain Again'' and ``Missionary Man.''
``Here Comes the Rain Again,'' which basked in all its electronic glory in its original version, got sliced back to a piano ballad, with Lennox caressing the ivories. ``Missionary Man'' reminded us just how capably she can rock, as did ``I Need a Man'' and ``Walking on Broken Glass.'' ``Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)'' and ``Why'' were commanding set closers.
Sting was by no means a slouch during his near two-hour show that noticeable lacked in some songs not performed (``Every Little Thing She Does is Magic,'' ``Shape of My Heart,'' ``Spirits in the Material World,'' and ``Don't Stand So Close to Me,'' for starters).
But why quibble over the omissions when given all Sting had to offer? Backed by his worldly band and a trio of video screens boasting impressively three dimensional-like images, Sting opened with the rush of energy that was the techno-influenced dance groove ``Send Your Love,'' a single from his latest CD ``Sacred Love.''
A mixture of solo and the Police material filled out the set, with the former relying on songs such as ``Seven Days,'' ``Fragile,'' ``Desert Rose,'' ``If I Ever Lose My Faith in You,'' ``Englishman in New York,'' and ``Fields of Gold'' (with some strong work from guitarist Dominic Miller). Clearly, it's his solo material that's Sting's priority, as it should be.
Still, again, it's hard to not crave some of that classic Police material like ``Synchronicity II,'' the first Police song performed Saturday night. There was also a loose ``Roxanne'' that was questionably all over the place, from its homage to ``King of Pain'' to Sting's scat-like singing to the stretching of the song lengthwise and sideways. As unfastened as ``Roxanne'' was, ``Every Breath You Take'' was the polar opposite, uptight and by the book.
Sting's distinctive voice remains intact, though he may not necessarily put as much behind it as he did in the past. That became obvious with the night's two guest vocal spots.
Lennox joined Sting for ``We'll Be Together,'' a creaky song to start with. But Lennox, who looked to be enjoying the song more than Sting, brought it all together. Backing singer Joy Rose took over for Mary J. Blige on the ``Sacred Love'' song ``Whenever I Say Your Name,'' and showed Blige, and perhaps even Sting, how it's done. His performance here couldn't match hers. Rose wailed as if every fiber of her future depended on it.
Sting can afford to coast a little these days if he likes. Still, Sting in coast-mode is inherently more interesting than some of those other elder statesman of rock such as Rod Stewart, Elton John, and Phil Collins.
Guitarist Dominic Miller, a member of Sting's |
