The Police: If you want the set list, just grab the new hits compilation and shuffle the order. Singles from start to finish, but with elastic, ambient instrumental portions thrown in as surprises. One of the smartest pop bands who ironically rose up in a very stupid decade, jamming for this trio is an atmospheric, experiential thing. While he sometimes summoned the blues licks of a stadium-rock wailer, Summers' solos utilized shimmering jazz chords, open space and artful sonics. Sting, owner of one of pop's most recognizable croons, hit nary a bum note. The world-inflected material sounds dated, and the kinetic energy of Police shows past has been toned down with age (the grand leaps of yore are now hops), but the outstanding musicality was still there. They're also clever enough not to record a new album.

© HARP magazine by Evan Haga

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