Suggestions for a Police cover song...

gtone

gtone

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... a track or two that goes over well live in a club or summer festival setting. What works for you?

 
Unless you can recreate "perfectly" one of the most powerful song openings ever, do not attempt "Message In a Bottle". Nothing pisses me off more than a lame attempt at that... I would add that when I saw the Police play it live '82, or '83 Sting was playing an upright bass on that one, and I was thinking WTF ?

I'd take a hard look for cuts from Zenyatta Mondatta.

 
Wonder how "So Lonely" would work - uptempo reggae rocker, but a little off the beaten path from their more popular material. Think our rhythym section could handle that one.

I honestly can't remember the last time I saw a band cover a Police tune - maybe 20 yrs ago??

 
gtone said:
Wonder how "So Lonely" would work - uptempo reggae rocker, but a little off the beaten path from their more popular material.
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I can answer that for you. It's not one of my faves, but... I sat in with some guys (on bass) a few months ago, and we played it. It went over great. I'm not sure that is was because it was the Police, but more for the reason you stated... "uptempo reggae rocker". Some girl kept shouting out "reggae", and this was what we delivered. At least she dug it. If Reggae is what you're looking for, then this would be a good choice.

 
I'll have to suggest Roxanne.

Reasonably easy to play, nice bass line, killer up-tempo section and a classic to boot.

 
Without keyboards, I like ZMB's suggestion of Syncronicity II. I also like So Lonely, Don't Stand..., and Can't Stand Losing You.

 
"Roxanne"-the Police's signature song, and it has a sing-along facet that some others don't

"Can't Stand Losing You" and "So Lonely"-last two songs of the band's early '80s Atlanta concert (in a huge venue that doesn't exist anymore). The audience reactions indicated there was a reason why those songs were placed in the finale and encore spot.

 
The problem of covering The Police is that Copeland is one of the most bad ass cats to ever sit behind a drum kit... he thwacks that snare so friggin' hard with his traditional grip that the snare stand wavers a bit with each hit. His hi hat work is almost impossible to recreate... he is truly an elusive and slippery drummer like Alex Acuna.

Stings bass playing = adequate and quite good

Summers' playing - ranges from straight forward rock and reggae to the truly bizarre and esoteric... weird guitar player fo shizzle. I mean, he's no Larry Lalonde or Thorn, but he's out there.

 
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Can't Stand Losing You

Driven To Tears

Secret Journey

Beds too big without you

Spirits in the Material World

Don't stand so close to me

If you want the Ladies to slow dance....

Wrapped around your finger

 
Way back when, we covered "Truth hits Everybody" Pretty easy and bit rocking. We had a lot of fun with it cause we couldn't figure out the lyrics.

First line: "you make me happy like a broken oyster"

 
Over the years I've played:

Next To You

Message in a Bottle

Synchronicity II

Roxanne

Every Breath You Take

Next to you is a great, high energy song, but not many can sing it. My favorite to play is Synchronicity II, as it is a brilliant rhythm guitar part and can be a great display of band dynamics.

 
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