Customer Reviews

Sting - All This Time

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I pre-ordered the DVD before it came out because I saw the show on A&E. The most remarkable part of the DVD is the sound. During the concert you feel like you are sitting in Tuscany with a glass of Chianti and listening to Sting perform at his house. I own at least 10 other DVD live concerts and this is by far the best sound quality. The documentary part is fascinating because during the rehearsals Sting could not have anticipated what was going to happen right before the show. The rehearsal sessions are excellent as you watch the musicians work through the songs. Then on September 11th Sting must make an excruciating decision on whether to perform the concert. In the end he changes the song list to reflect the emotional moment and the result is an emotionally charged performance that cannot be duplicated. Fragile is appropriatly the first song. Obviously, I would have liked to see some of the lighter songs, but under the circumstances it was amazing that they were able to perform at all.

This review has been locked up in my heart for a long time. It is one of those enormously emotional products I love that I feel inadequate to review; however, that is the best reason for reviewing it.

I believe most people know that this concert was held in Sting's home in Italy, that he and his gifted band had been practicing for less than 2 weeks and that they had to decide whether to go on and do the show knowing of the horrific events of that day (September 11, 2001.) Besides the music, their discussion of this decision is one of the highlights of this DVD. "Fragile," dedicated to the victims is the opening song and it is played and sung PERFECTLY with tenderness, respect and musical brilliance. The entire DVD sound and picture quality is second to none I've ever seen, the songs are slightly different than we've heard them (more jazzy/bluesy) and it is a change that shows how much Sting has grown as an person, not just an artist. The band he has put together is entirely and impressively gifted, coming from around the world--Brazil, Argentina, Algeria, France, England, North America and more. Each one adds to the magical eclecticism of the music and atmosphere. They comprise an entertaining and interesting group of musicians to watch AND listen to.

I have always respected Sting but never so much than after seeing this. The DVD is absolutely flawless. I can't give a higher recommendation. This is my highest recommendation. On a 1-10 scale with 1 the worst and 10 the best. This tops even a ten. There are really no words to express all of my feelings. STING...ALL THIS TIME must be EXPERIENCED. Whether or not you are a fan of Sting is irrelevant, because AFTER you watch this you WILL BE.

It has one of the best menus I've ever seen with loads of options: to play the documentary, the concert or both at the same time with a feature to hit "S" (enter) after each practiced song (that was chosen to use in the concert--obviously in keeping respect for the ones that had lost their lives, many tunes were omitted in the concert that are on the warmup/practice/jam sessions. Which are, by the way, enjoyable to watch.)

What I want to emphasize the most is the way Sting starts off somber and respectful and ends up letting himself go inside the music whichs floods his soul with JOY, which, in turn, the rapport between him and his band sets up a chain reaction that fills everyone playing and listening with JOY. THAT, my friends, is what Music is all About. This is so inspiring to me and I believe it will be to you too.

Sting said it best, "You know, we were all put on this earth to be happy. We all deserve to be happy. They can't kill our joy. We can't let them do that."

KEEP SMILIN' AND SOAR!
SOARING HEART

Just saw this on A&E (before the release of DVD) - AMAZING how Sting and his talented band have made new his great music even better - every song is done in a fresh new way - whether by speeding up the tempo (Every Breath You Take), making it more jazzy, showcasing an awesome trumpet player (Moon Over Bourbon Street), or just adding some new kicks (Brand New Day, If I Ever Lose My Faith). The documentary of the preparation for the concert was fascinating - you sit in on the band working through variations and trying out funky stuff - fabulous!

The concert was held on Sept. 11, and the references and respects paid to the victims of the terrorist attacks were vivid and moving. The scene of Sting rounding up the team to discuss whether or not the show should go on was a testimony to the democratic way Sting leads his band, giving each player a chance to voice their opinion. We are lucky that they chose to do the show, albeit cutting some of the numbers (which we still get on the DVD from the dress rehearsal video taken Sept. 10) for a beautiful, appropriate set. And perhaps the music was all the better as each member of the band threw their grief and sorrow about the attacks into their music - this was an amazing show.

Wow! I don't even know the words to talk about how tremendous this DVD is. It creates a very intimate tone that I love. I see Sting the person at his home. I feel as though I'm sitting in Sting's backyard listening to the music. I enjoyed the rework of his classic songs. This is a must-see concert.

The concert was recorded on September 11, 2001, the day of the World Trade Center tragedy. This is discussed during the concert and the documentary. I found it to be sad at times.

The DVD contains four songs not listed here or on the DVD. Desert Rose, with Cheb Mami, was omitted from the final concert but is available in Chapter 32 of the documentary. (Perhaps the sexy belly dancer was thought to be inappropriate due to the tragedy.) I'm glad they included it, it is one of my favorite songs. The other three songs are: Every Little Thing She Does is Magic; Fill Her Up; and Englishman in New York.

The DVD is in full anamorphic widescreen. I find the video and audio quality of the DVD to be excellent. The 70 minute documentary is as worth watching as the concert. It would be a mistake to call it an extra, it's part of the show! In fact, I recommend watching the documentary first. (When you see the red circle with an "S" in the lower right hand corner during the documentary, press ENTER if you want to hear the whole song. The DVD will switch to the concert and then switch back to the documentary after the song is over.) This DVD is a bargain, it has a lot of content.

I wanted to start buying more musical concerts on dvd so I picked Sting: All This Time because I always liked a few of his songs but based on his top songs. Just by watching this spectacular concert has put me in a better mood. There are many reasons why this dvd is so great. Just the idea of holding a concert in his backyard is so original & great. Sting has a beautiful house in Tuscany and the scenery is breath-taking. Reason for this dvd being a little expensive is theres an hour long documentry section that shows him and his multi-cultral band members practice and rehearse for the show in Sting's home. At the end, they show the band watching the newsclip of the airplane crashing into the World Trade Center and they decide whether to cancel the show or continue with it. They obviously go on with the show and seeing Sting at a emotional state of mind really shows how authentic of a artist he really is. The only drawback was that it was held on September 11th and not before that date because the atmosphere besides it being beautiful was quite mellow from the fear and sorrow from the terrortist attacks. But it was a drawback that Sting had no control of. Despite all that, it was a top-notch, above average, excellent concert that Sting has done. All I would say is that it would have been better if it had been preformed without Sting being somewhat upset because there were songs that were not preformed in respect for the victims which I think was a respectful move by Sting. So in other Words: BUY THIS DVD!!! You won't regret it.

Having been both a Police and Sting fan I was expecting something totally different.
This concert was performed on 9/11/01. The arrangements were intentionally changed to reflect the events of that tragic day. The DVD starts out with Fragile whereby Sting
sets the tone for the entire DVD. At the end he rocks out saying that we will not give
in, not give up or change our lives due to what has happened. We will enjoy life and be happy. Each song is a classic. You will leave with a warm feeling in your heart, knowing that the sun will rise tomorrow. Both the sound, visual, recording mix, and choice of songs is outstanding. The settting is perfect. The camera angles and the mix is breaktaking. If you are going to purchaase a Sting DVD this is the one.

This dvd is amazing. The collection of first class musicians amd the re-working of a lot of the tunes into new arrangements makes it not just another live show. Coupled with the date of the recording (september 11, 2001) makes this compelling viewing. Watching Sting sing "Fragile" at the beginning of the concert shows why he is still so successful after all this time. He is the real deal. He sings and plays from his heart. I was deeply moved by the opening performance.

This is presented in anamorphic widescreen. The documentary and concert are presented beautifully. Don't let the label on the box deter you this is a loaded disc clocking in at nearly 3 hours and includes songs not on the US cd.

I have always enjoyed Sting's music, but had never considered purchasing a DVD of Sting's until I learned that Chris Botti was also on it. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it! Most of the DVD is a build up to the concert that happened on September 11, 2001 on a stage built at Sting's house. It shows all of the behind-the-scenes preparation leading up to such a large-scale event, from rehearsals and sound checks to candid fun amongst the musicians. The concert itself is wonderful and intimate, as the band performs before a small audience on that fateful day. The pre-performance events do not at all fell "staged" or scripted, giving the DVD a personal quality. Sound and images are great! I would highly recommend this to any Sting or Chris Botti fan!

With each Sting recording I listen to, I have to keep reminding myself that this is Sting, who led one of the all time great rock and roll bands, 'The Police.' 'All This Time' is one of those few CD's you will listen to and never tire of.
It seems that Sting is driven to constantly reinvent his original compositions. And each effort is an improvement!
What is even more amazing to me, is that Sting is one of the very, very few who can blend different styles, (jazz, R&B,Gospel,classical, eastern, etc.) into the same song, and accomplish this so successfully.
As usual, he has the best musicians joining him and gives them ample opportunities to be featured showcasing their talent.
Sting gets better with each recording, and 'All This Time' is as good as a live performance as you will hear.