Live [Live, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

The Police | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 4, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 1995
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Live, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Interscope Records
• ASIN: B00008BRB6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,672 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Consisting of one disc recorded from a Boston radio broadcast in 1979 and the other from a large concert hall in Atlanta in 1983, Live! demonstrates the evolution of the Police's sound while showing off their ability to perform onstage. Aside from the track listings (although several of the same tracks are found on both discs), there are notable differences between the two concerts. The production is the most obvious. The 1979 recording, sounding raw like a well-done bootleg, is mixed for a punk band, which the Police largely were at the time. The Atlanta recording is slick and professional, perfect for the world-famous pop stars they had become. The second major difference is the performances themselves. In the Boston concert, because they had less material to fill an entire show, the band extended the songs by improvising on themes and progressions (while at the same time frequently lead-footing the tempos). In contrast, the Atlanta show featured a denser mix. Three backup singers doubled the number of people onstage, while the songs were moody and atmospheric. Again the band expanded on its arrangements. You won't hear your favorite licks from many of these songs, but the fair exchange is getting to hear drummer Stewart Copeland's inspired improvised fills; Andy Summers's cautious, delicate guitar textures; and Sting's rasta chants. Aside from being a transcendent live album, this collection makes it very clear that the Police were so much more than just Sting and "two other guys." Quite the opposite is true. It testifies not only to the strength of the songwriting but, more important, to the band's musicianship. The Police were a perfect musical trinity, each member an indispensable and inseparable part of the whole. --Beth Massa

Product Description

Japanese only double SHM-CD (Super High Material CD - playable on all CD players) pressing of this rock album. SHM-CDs can be played on any audio player and delivers unbelievably high-quality sound. You won't believe it's the same CD! Universal. 2008. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not their best, July 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Live (Audio CD)

I am a huge Police fan and have many of their shows on bootlegs and I have to say that these two shows are ok, not bad but certainly not great. The Boston show is the better of the two in my opinion. The Atlanta show from '83 is a very standard show from the Syncronicity tour. The Boston show seems to have more energy and the songs are extended a bit (like Bed's too Big without you, So Lonely and Roxanne) to show the band's amazing playing abilities. Since these are the only live Police discs I would get it if you are a fan of the band but try and get a few other live shows if you can. A couple that I higly recommend that are not too hard to find are the July 31, 1982 show from Sting's hometown in Newcastle. This is a great show from the Ghost in the Machine tour and they play everything and the energy from the band is great. The other show to try and get is the February 1979 show from Hatfield, UK. This is a great show and was the first significant live performance that showcased the band's talents. Try EBAY for these shows, they have them listed pretty frequently. Also get the Police Live on VHS as songs from these two shows are on that tape.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why all the hate for Disc 2?, October 29, 2005

By 

Joseph Geni (Evanston, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Live (Audio CD)

Yeah, so to clarify, Disc 1 is an early show of theirs, from about '79 or so, so it's pretty much got stuff from the first two albums. And the second show is a gig from the high-tech, mega-popular Synchronicity tour.

Let us now give props where props are due. Props 1: my understanding is, these are both full sets, not pieced together as the best takes from multiple nights. That gives each concert an element of cohesion and groundedness that a lot of supposedly flaw-free live releases lack. So what if Andy Summers misses a note or Sting's voice cracks on a high pitch? It just adds to the charm.

Props 2: they are both excellent for what they are. Disc 1 is raw, hard-edged, imperfect and gritty. For lovers of the early Police and their energetic performances, it's exactly what you want. Disc 2 is a pop masterpiece. With the tempo turned up on basically everything, the songs lead seamlessly into another with an extremely high-pitched, exuberant audience cheering every step of the way. After hearing this, the Synchronicity studio tracks seem kinda boring by comparison, which is saying something.

Anyway, most of this has all been said before. Reason I'm writing this review, then, is that for some reason, the '83 show gets a lot of hate among reviewers and fans alike, and I don't really understand why. Perhaps it's a bit of "they've sold out" bitterness, but if so, it's undeniable that few bands in history "sold out" with more flair than the Police did.

In short, get this record, whether you go in for just one of the shows or both. It's terrific.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Police - 'Live' (A&M) 4 1/2 stars, June 16, 2006

By 

Mike Reed (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Live (Audio CD)

Apparently,there must be simply SO many 'new' releases put out at any given time,one obviously cannot keep track of EVERY one.As a result,I've only recently become aware of this live Police archive 2-CD title.Sound quality here could be a bit better,but it'll do.Disc one is from a 1979 live radio broadcast direct from the Orpheum Theater in Boston.I remember hearing this on a special late night radio show,don't believe that I taped it,or other wise,I wouldn't be so thrilled to finally land a copy of this disc.Better tunes are "So Lonely",the well written "Walking On The Moon","Message In A Bottle",their very first smash hit "Roxanne","Can't Stand Losing You" and "Born In The 50's".Disc two comes from a major gig in Atlanta in 1983 off their 'Synchronicity' tour.Most memorable cuts here are the awesome "Synchronicity II","De Do Do Do,De Da Da Da","Wrapped Around Your Finger",Sting's signature song "King Of Pain","Don't Stand So Close To Me" and "Every Breath You Take".A must-have for most Police fans.I was fortunate enough to catch The Police on the second leg of their 'Synchronicity' tour,as I never thought it would be their last.I've spoken with a couple of HUGE old school Police fans and they tell me they want NOTHING to do with this 2-CD release,that they're simply tired of seeing Sting out on solo tours and they feel somewhat betrayed that The Police will likely never reunite.Have to wonder how many others feel the same way.