All the evidence that Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland deserved their 2003 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is right here in this two-hour (including bonus features) DVD package. Unfortunately, not a lot of that evidence is visual; the Police's videos--at least the 10 directed by Derek Burbige--seem thrown together and uninspired, consisting mostly of the trio half-heartedly lip-syncing or merely horsing around (the four later ones by Kevin Godley and Lol Creme are a considerable improvement). We do get to see Sting at his most punk (a '78 live version of "Can't Stand Losing You") and most iconic (the "Every Breath You Take" video), and the 48-minute
Ghost in the Machine-era documentary is interesting. But it wasn't MTV that got the Police into the Hall; it was superb musicianship and wonderful songs. And here in their digitally remastered glory, they all sound great.
--Sam Graham
1 Great 5.1 DTS Sound!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just finished watching this DVD on a 50 inch widescreen TV, with a Yamaha RX-V1400 amp. As many people point out, the videos have not been re-processed, but I have seen worse out there. For the age of the material the transfer was not that bad, and was not so distracting. The videos are full screen, but do not look overly stretched on my widescreen TV
The best part is the DTS 5.1 remix on the videos, which is superior. The quality stands next to the Sting DTS Music DVDs. There is the obvious separation of instruments and backing vocals in the surround speakers, and the .1 bass is done very well. NOTE: The special feature live music does not have the 5.1 remix. There are also interviews in the special features, for those interested. Overall, I enjoyed the DVD, and will watch/listen to the videos again. Just listening to the 5.1 mix of the videos is worth the price of admission. Great Sound!!!
I picked this up locally for the same on line price, and recommend this DVD.
2 Disappointing
I loaded this DVD and immediately cued up "Don't Stand So Close To Me", my favorite Police song. The sound seemed a bit off, and the video was surprisingly bad. Reviews here warned me that the video hadn't been cleaned up, and it hadn't, but it was something else. I put in my copy of "Every Breath You Take"; a collection of videos on VHS released in 1986, which also includes "Don't Stand So Close To Me". I picked a random frame, and did a freeze frame at the same spot on both my VCR and DVD so I could switch back and forth between the two. I was amazed at how much better the VHS looked than the DVD. And this tape is *19 years old* and has been played many, many times.
As for the songs being sped up, I did one quick check. My DVD player reports "Don't Stand So Close To Me" as being 3:53. My vinyl copy of "Zenyatta Mondatta" lists the time as 4:03.
3 The Police: DVD of the classics and the best
I picked up this DVD at my local DVD rental/sell store and having been a slight fan of the Police I was glad to purchase and watch this great band in action. This DVD is titled 'Every Breath You Take' and has 15 video clips and Bonus materials. This DVD has all of the hits of the Police in one place with great songs such as Roxanne, Can't Stand Losing You, So Lonely, Don't Stand So Close, Every Breath You Take and Invisible Sun.
The bonus material has the Police in Montserrat with 5 songs including Next to You and Demolition Man. Well worth getting any fan of The Police or Sting.
4 Every breath you take I'll be watching you!!!
This DVD can be divided into some major parts, three in particular- The Police's videos, the making of their fourth album "Ghost in the Machine," and their two early songs ("Can't Stand Losing You" and "Next to You") performed live at The Old Grey Whistle
Truthfully speaking, the Police's videos now look dated, some of which are unbelievably silly with the guys in weird costumes jumping around like lunatics. Besides, there are not enough live performances, and the shots of "Ghost in the Machine" in the studio are far from impressive, given the fact that the three members were already at odds then.
So why did I purchase this DVD?
Well, the main reason is- the one and only Sting!
Sting was truly gorgeous when he was in the Police, no matter how badly he dressed. Inside the DVD I see the now veteran Englishman in his energetic, handsome years, and it is out of the question that he was a defining sex symbol in the 80's. I am blown away whenever I watch him adjusting his tie in "Message in a Bottle," taking off his shirt with a naughty grin in "Don't Stand So Close to Me" and smoldering in "Every Breath You Take." Even though some people consider the video of "Wrapped around Your Finger" utterly silly with Sting dancing around lit-up candles, he looks fantastic in the white outfit, and "every step he takes" leaves me awestruck with his surpassing beauty.
All right, enough of drooling over Sting. Here are some other strengths in the features:
-The music itself: The Police were one of the most innovative and popular bands in the late 70's and early 80's. In the video section you have a series of songs more satisfying than their greatest hits compilation. From the early influences of punk and reggae to the mellowed pop-rock songs in their last album "Synchronicity," they marked one of the greatest moments. In addition, with Sting in all his talent, he could not disappoint. The Dolby 5.1 sound format makes the songs a little different from those on the CDs so that you are able to listen to the instruments playing and the vocal more clearly.
-The chemistry among the three outstanding musicians: Sting and Stewart Copeland's discords eventually broke up the band. Ironically, they did look like amicable partners in their early videos when they swung together with privities. Any Summers was older than the two, yet his ridiculous expressions at times perfectly entertains the audience. On the other hand, we gain the access to see Andy's mastery of guitars, Sting's excellence of composing and playing the bass, and Stewart's passion for drumming in the making of "Ghost in the Machine." If not detailed, the scenes are new to juvenile appreciators like me who are too young to have witnessed the peak of their fame.
The conclusion: Recommended for people who love Sting or The Police or those reminiscent of (or never experienced) the early 80's music
3.5/5
5 GOOD BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!
Okay, I'm torn between anger and glee about this DVD. I'm really pissed about the missing instruments in some of the songs, particularly, Wrapped Around Your Finger. Yeah, they're the videos, which are great, but how could STING and the others let those people screw it up?! If you listen to Wrapped Around Your Finger AND you love the song like I do... you'll most surely notice the missing synthesizer. I just saw the fricken video on VH1 Classic and heard the synth loud and clear. What's up w/ that crap!? Man, I could just go download the video the way it should be FOR FREE!!! I expect nothing less than a new corrected DVD in the near future. When you change those songs... you mess with peoples' fond memories over years of time. Changing them is just wrong: Sting + P. Diddy = :(
Break out your CDs... listen to some others... you'll hear stuff missing. Why? Oh yeah, and the videos are okay. (the music is more important) I vaguely remembered a girl being in the old Don't Stand So Close To Me. Either the Police guys couldn't stand not being on camera the whole time or the director was going through a lazy phase. I think showing Sting driving up to a rainy bus-stop when he sings about it would've been cool.
6 The songs are MUCH faster than on CD, too!
To add to how awful the mix is (my DVD has several sound setting options, none of which correct the problem -- e.g. "Wrapped Around Your Finger" has no synthesizers) the songs, most noticable on the ones off Ghost in the Machine, are MUCH faster than released on record/tape/cd. If you're as big of a fan as I am, these in particular sound like old records played on the wrong speed. I'm glad I have this dvd for the bonus features, but now I wish I had the first out of print pressing of the videos in the hopes of correcting the problem this dvd creates.
7 Faded, scratched videos. Feel ripped off
I hate it when things are re-released without the picture being cleaned up. We have the technology today. The people putting this collection together were obviously just too damned lazy and didn't care enough about the Police to use it. When I compare the picture quality of this to that of the pristine videos collected on my beautiful new Human League or Simple Minds DVDs, I feel very angry and ripped off.
The Police in Monserrat segment is a real treasure, but the way it was so yellowed and faded really spoiled my enjoyment of it. About the only part of the content here which does look fantastic is the Old Grey Whistle Test footage. For this I am grateful, but it still does not offset the shabby treatment the rest of this DVD received.
Now we'll probably have to wait another decade to see these properly reconditioned and re-released again, hopefully with the missing videos, a proper sound mix and the Old Grey Whistle Test interview footage too.
The band deserved better than this.
I can only hope that whenever the Zenyatta Mondatta World Tour documentary I dying to see released on DVD does get released, it will not look this bad.
8 Crappy
I like the songs of The Police very much, including their music videos, but whoever produced and mixed this DVD must have been smoking crack. I agree with Megan Foster from Hermance, Switzerland. A lot of the music videos included in this DVD had tracks missing (i.e. vocal tracks, guitar tracks, etc.). I thought I was the only one not hearing these things. I tried exchanging this DVD from the store I bought it from to see if it was just a bad DVD, but all the other copies I got were the same. About the only redeeming thing this DVD had was the documentary film from Montserrat. The videos on that documentary sounded better.
9 Every Buck you Make!
Nice try, but no cigar. Yes, it's nice to have them on DVD, no they don't seem much more than a glorified VHS tape. And why isn't it complete? The Red background Roxanne and Can't Stand Losing You are sorely missed (legend has it they--Sting, that is--didn't like the "video" look and preferred the look of film.) Plus, where are all the rest of the videos? I have a VHS tape with Bed's too Big Without you and Bring on the Night. Why aren't they on here? There are other promos for Demolition Man and One World in another section on the dvd, but not "on the menu". Guess they need you to hunt. The BBC OGWT stuff is very nice, but the show's host also did a brief interview with the boys, which they decided to edit out (shame)
The "Monserrat" and "Studies in Synchronicity" are nice, but I taped both of those from MTV back in the day.. nothing new. And my old VHS doesn't look much worse. Doesn't anyone have a pristine quality tape or film somewhere?
Don't get me wrong, it's nice to have the dvd, but the fans once again get shorted. Sting, Stewart and Andy were on top, but decided to fizzle rather than go out with a bang. I dumped a lot of money and time into that group. I loved their music and I loved their videos. It's a shame I have only a lame dvd to show for it.
10 Must have DVD for Police fans...
The videos are great to have but the Montserrat documentary on the making of Ghost in the Machine is the best. A *MUST HAVE* DVD for Police Fans.
11 awesome
if you love the police, you will love this. sounds and looks awesome.
12 DVD has plenty of 're-watch factor'
If you enjoyed the 80's, chances are you liked the Police. Here we have a collection of most of their 80's videos - although as others have stated, some are missing or are alternative videos to what we're familiar with.
The missing videos are:
- Bed's Too Big Without You
- King of Pain
The videos that have been replaced with alternative versions are:
- Roxanne
- Can't stand losing you
Besides all this, it's nice to see many of the Police videos - most of which I have not seen in a long time. We should be grateful that some of the videos haven't been replaced with live footage - such stuff is best left for concert DVD's.
Many reviewers have voiced their opinions about the odd 5.1 remix. Yes, it does sound strange in parts - but the good news is, the original stereo 2.0 option is also included, as is DTS (for people who want surround sound at an impressive level).
While the DVD is not my favourite music DVD in my collection, it definitely has plenty of re-watching in it - such an important factor with any music DVD. Why bother buying a music DVD only to watch it once??? So, if you're a Police fan then grab a copy, you won't be disappointed.
Sting remains one of the greatest songwriters to grace our earth
13 Are there videos missing
The videos that are on the dvd are great and watching the band mature through them is very interesting. However, for the life of me I can't seem to find the video of "Roxanne" where the band is singing against the red walls and floor which is the primary reason I bought this dvd. Does anyone know where I can find it?
14 Comprehensive Compilation That Does Justice ...
There have been other compilations that are inadequate, such as concert videos that don't feature the full concert, or video compilations that aren't complete. This one is complete. Don't be fooled by the absence of "So Lonely" from the Product Details, the song is there.
Some may have complained about the omissions of some important musical instruments or backing voices in some songs - this is totally baseless. All the instruments are there in a new surround mix if you do select the Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS audio options. It is only when stereo is selected that there seems to be a problem. Besides if you want just the stereo mix is all its original glory, you can always buy the CD or hybrid CD/SACD.
In contrast to other artists who release DVD compilations of their videos but the mix is only in stereo (like U2's Best Of 1990-200 DVD), this one has a new surround mix that will envelope you with the music. It may not satisfy the purists who prefer the original two-channel audio mixes, but hey we got the CD for that.
Th 45-minute documentary is a very interesting bonus. The live performances are something to marvel at. This DVD has all the videos you need, and more. This DVD is evidence that Sting's solo work is nothing compared to the work of the Police. This DVD is evidence that it was really Andy and Stewart who kept Sting intact and harnessed his potential as a songwriter. Sting solo now is just a parody of the Sting who was with the Police.
15 Great DVD with Great Extras For A Video Collection
THE POLICE, EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE: VIDEO COLLECTION is a prime example of what a video collection should have. When I say that is this has all of there videos [for the exceptions for the other video versions of "Roxanne" and "Can't Stand Losing You$Q]. I did enjoy the bonus material. The coolest special feature was "Police in Montserrat" documentary {if own or going to own this I highly recommend you watch this]. The audio mix is odd[if you own just a tv, then agian its probely me] though cause I don't own a surround system . Overall it is a great DVD and a must buy.
16 A Great Collection, But Unimaginative
This DVD is essentially a copy of the video collection that was released on VHS in the late 1980s with the addition of a cheeky documentary filmed on Montserrat during the Ghost in the Machine sessions. The documentary extra alone makes the DVD worth the upgrade (skip through the documentarian's babbling through the first 8 minutes), but I had hoped for more options taking advantage of modern technology.
17 Alternate audio take on "Every little Thing..."
There is a DEFINITELY different and inferior take used for "Every little Thing..." If you're a purist, watch the version on the documentary. THAT is the correct version! Not just a re-mix. It is a DIFFERENT take! Diff. vocals, diff. gtr. licks and WAY different drums! ACK!!!
18 Great DVD for any Police fan
Listen to daneep70! If you play the videos in stereo, the sound is awful. Listen to it in 5.1. It makes a WORLD of difference! Other than the minor audio issue, its a great DVD.
19 A mixed bag
Like a lot of other Police fans, I eagerly anticipated the release of this DVD so I could stop wearing my old VHS tape to death. And while certain features are great--the Montserrat documentary, the Old Grey Whistle Test footage--there are also a lot of disappointments, and a lot more that could be included.
For instance, why not include the "red room" videos for "Roxanne" and "Can't Stand Losing You"? These have never been officially released anywhere. Why not at least attempt to clean up some of the video footage? There are still some of the same scratches and faults in the picture that are on my old VHS tape.
And why the new audio mixes of each track? While some are interesting from the standpoint of presenting a new way to hear old, familiar tracks (and I quite like the "Walking on the Moon" mix that really brings the drums up front), it's still distracting and one wonders why there was a need to "mess with success".
All in all, I still recommend it for any Police fan (if only to finally have the Montserrat documentary), but don't toss out that old VHS collection yet, either. Also, there is so much great Police footage out there that has *never* been officially released, at least not in the US, how about seeing some of that get put out instead of just remixing and re-releasing what we've already got?
20 Some surprises, some disappointments
I, along with many others, have waited for the release of this DVD for quite some time. The official videos are the same ones (even the same order) included on the VHS tape released in the mid-80's (at the time the group remixed "Don't Stand '86" for a greatest hits album). Having nearly worn out my copy of that video from dozens--if not hundreds--of viewings (and memorizing the quirks and facial expressions of Andy, Stewart, and Sting in every single video), it's nice to have these videos on a digital copy.
Like the reviewer from New Jersey, though, I was shocked and somewhat disappointed with the audio remixing of the videos. While there are some audio surprises (such as the echo effect of Stewart's drums on songs like "Can't Stand"), some of that "Police sound" has been distorted, muffled, and/or flat out eliminated in the remastering. Andy's wonderful ethereal guitar work on songs such as "Message in a Bottle", "Wrapped Around Your Finger", "Every Little Thing She Does...", and "Walking on the Moon" (that wonderful jangling chord that introduces each line in the verses) has been minimized or removed entirely. Sting's vocals are too loud, echo-y, and overshadow the work of his band members (for example, in "Every Little Thing" or "Every Breath"--in the case of the latter, his fadeout vocals are completely gone). Stewart's drums are at times too loud and tinny; at times his wonderful drum fills are missing completely. Overall, the sound has a more hollow and sterile feel, and the goal to create a crisp digital sound has taken away the warmth of the evenly-mixed masterpieces this trio created in their all-too-short career.
The standout among the "extra features" is the Monserrat special hosted by Jules Holland. Though the videos included in the special will be familiar to many (including "Every Little Thing" and "Spirits"), Holland's conversations with each band member are the most interesting, shedding light on Sting's songwriting process, Andy's guitar effects, and Stewart's adaptation of world percussion rhythms. Everyone also should have a copy of the Police's "Grey Whistle" performance, featuring Sting with a large pair of sunglasses (Stewart's), the remedy for hiding eyes irritated by an aerosol spray prior to performance.
Buy this DVD to have a digital copy of the Police videos (as well as for the extras); keep your old videotapes of their videos for the true Police audio that we all know and love.
21 The Montserrat Documentary is why you should buy this!
This DVD is worth every single penny. If only for the Montserrat documentary with host Jools Holland (from Squeeze.)
Would love to see "Police Around the World" on DVD with more videos like the alternate versions of Roxanne and Every Breath You Take.
22 Superb Police Video Anthology
I got my copy today and have been listening to it ever since. The sound is superb, especially DTS 5.1 mix. I appreciate the fact that the songs appear to have been remixed to 5.1 from the original master tapes rather than 'upmixed' to 5.1 from the stereo sources. For the most part, 5.1 is used to create the sense of space and add to the overall presence of the sound (most prominent in "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic"). In a few songs, however, surround speakers have been dedicated to the backing chorus ("Every Breath You Take"),intro synthesizer melody ("Wrapped Around Your Finger"), some guitars (""Can't Stand Losing You"), and few other things. So if you output 5.1 mix to standard stereo setup, you will not hear these elements of the songs, which may lead you to believe that the original mixes have been changed. By default, the title uses 5.1 dolby digital mix, so if you are using two-speaker audio setup make sure to change audio track to dolby digital stereo (audio option #3).
Video quality is also remarkably good, given the fact that some sources are over two decades old. Color restoration applied adds vividness to the picture without making it look artificial or unnaturally 'enhanced'. I personally like the fact that the image has not been cleaned to the point of losing 'personality' and the distinct 80's feel :).
I have glanced through the extra materials and they look very interesting and promising. Haven't had a chance to give it a thorough look, though (too excited listening to 5.1 remix). But it appears that the audio track on this portion of DVD is dolby digital stereo only, which is really too bad. But that's the case with almost all music DVD titles (with 5.1 audio treatment given to the main program only), so I can't complain (too much) about this.
One final note, some time ago DTS Entertainment released "Police: Every Breath You Take - The Classics" DTS Audio CD, which is essentially identical to this DVD in terms of music contents ("King of Pain" is the only track on DTS CD not appearing on this DVD collection). In fact, the 5.1 remixes by David Tickle that were used for the DTS 5.1 CD release were used again for the DVD, and songs that were not present on the DTS CD have been remixed by Bob Ludwig (who does a very fine job with the tracks that he's worked on). So by purchasing this DVD you eliminate the need to spend more money on getting the DTS Audio CD release, which usually sells for a substantially higher price.
Get your DVD copy of "Every Breath You Take" now and congratulate youself on getting a superb bargain and an exceptional quality.
23 Flawed but worthy
OK, so first off, I will recommend this DVD - it's a great collection of videos from one of rock's greatest bands ever. But as a purist, I do have issues with this release. First off, the "new mixes" are clumsy, uninspired and utterly pointless. The DTS versions are better than the regular 5.1 mixes, but many of them are NOT the original. For shame. (And why is the intro omitted from the 5.1 version of "Synchronicity II? It's there on the DTS version. Sloppy, slopppy, sloppy.) There's another video for "Roxanne," where is it? Certainly the technology exists for including more than one version of a video on a DVD. Did a Police fan actually compile this thing? Are they unaware that multiple versions of "Every Breath You Take" exist? There's a version to match each of the three colors representing particular band members on the Synchronicity album cover. It would have been so cool to be able to switch to different versions each time I watch the disc, but alas, no one cared enough to make this happen. Oh well. I suppose most fans won't care about these details. Go ahead, buy this disc. You won't regret it (but you may have some issues...)
24 Great SURROUND (hint, folks) mixes. Nice extras
Just want to point out to the people who wrote the first few reviews: The reason the mix sounds so strange is you probably aren't hearing it in true surround. I thought something was strange with songs like "Spririts In The Material World" with no keyboards, or "Synchronicity II" without the opening guitar feedback, until I realized I had it setup in the STEREO mix, but not the 5.1. Make SURE you listen to this in 5.1! Certain instruments/parts have been "relegated" to their own channels.
As far as the videos go, I've seen these millions of times, having owned the original video of this collection. Same feeling many others have--the early videos are cheesy; goofy, and the later ones are superb. The transfer is great--very clear! Would've been nice to find the original negatives of the early videos and clean up a bit of noise, but the color transfer and clean up is nice. The extras are GREAT. Monsterrat documentary--A+; Old Grey Whistle Test, same. "Can't Stand Losing You" sounds closer to the record than how it developed live over the years. Let's keep rolling out more Police DVDs. I see the Hatfield concert is coming out; How 'bout that Synchonicity concert with bonus material next?
25 Great DVD w/cool bonus stuff - but die-hard fans get [...]
I had been waiting eons for A&M to release this collection on DVD. As a fan of the band since Synchronicity was released (I was 6 years old in '83), the VHS collection was the only way to spark the nostalgia of being enchanted by the video for "Wrapped Around Your Finger" when it was released. However, aside from the bonus material featured (which is GREAT - especially the Police in Montserrat segment), those of us who have grown up listening to the band should feel jaded with the "new" audio mix featured on this collection. I am disappointed with the absence of the backing chorus in "Every Breath You Take", the removal of the intro synthesizer melody in "Wrapped Around Your Finger" (which defines the dark mood of the song), and several other changes to the original mixes of "Can't Stand Losing You," "Every Little Thing...," and "Walking On The Moon," among others. Some people may find these new mixes fascinating, but to Police purists like myself, there should have been some sort of indication that the DVD contained "alternate audio mixes" of the songs. I was going to sell my old VHS compilation on ebay, but knowing now that that tape is the only place to hear (and see) the true videos, I think I'm going to hold onto it. So to the Police fan buying this for the bonus material, it's definitely worth it, but caveat emptor - you won't be *hearing* what you would have expected.
26 POLICE FANS NEED TO BUY THIS
Police fans please do yourself a favor and buy this. First off some of the audio for the videos were remixed so that songs like Message in a Bottle, Every little thing, and Wrapped around your finger sound a little different than the original recordings. I didn't like this at first but it actually is nice to hear a slightly different mix on a few of the songs. The sound and picture clarity is excellent. The real treat is the interviews and songs from Montserrat. All the interviews were great and gives the fan an inside look at Andy's guitar playing, Sting's songwriting for Invisible Sun and Message in a Bottle and Stewart's unbelievable drum playing. The clips for One World and Demolition Man were great too, Stewart's drum playing on One World is the best. What a band, too bad we don't have any one today to replace them. We can only wish for a reunion tour...
27 This DVD was worth waiting for.
I've been a big Sting and Police fan for about the last five years, and I bought this collection right when it came out. I did not waste one penny.
First of all, I never knew that the Police had such a large collection of music videos. Of course most people ahve seen "Every Breath You Take" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger" at sometime or another, but I had no idea they'd been making them as early as their debut album. I'd say each one is very enjoyable and humorous in its own right ("Invisible Sun" is the only video that the group intended to be very serious, in its portrayal of the British-Irish conflicts). My personal favorite is "So Lonely," which features the group walking around talking on handheld radios and Stuart Copeland irritating everyone by hitting every object he saw with his drumsticks. Classic.
Also included are some session videos and interviews, entitled "The Police in Monserrat." For the music performances, they just lip-synched and jumped around a recording studio to "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," "Demolition Man," "One World (Not Three)," and "Spirits in the Material World." The interviews (which are interspersed between the studio videos) are easily the best selections on the entire DVD. All three members of the band are interviewed separately during the "Ghost in the Machine" era sessions and explain some of their writing, recording, and playing techniques that they've employed in the album and in their music as a whole. Copeland, Summers, and Sting are all absolutely fantastic musicians and these interviews bring their individiual originalities and geniuses to light in a very introspective light.
My only complaint about the DVD is that there aren't nearly enough live performances. Included are only two from the same British show called the Old Grey Whistle, which are "Can't Stand Losing You" and "Next to You." I hope to watch them reunited in concert one day.
Finally, the DVD contains "Studies in Synchronicity," which is an interesting video short featuring musical bits from the Synchronicity album, and a discography. This collection was easily one of the best DVD/musical investments I've made in a long time. In my opinion, nothing in the collection is filler and anyone who enjoys this band should purchase it.
28 Awesome sound and new mixes!
The first thing that stood out to me was just how clear and crisp the sound is. I haven't bought any of the new SACDs re-releases but I can't stress the sound quality.
What's even more interesting is that there are new mixes of each song on the videos. For example, there are no background vocals at the end of "Every Breath You Take", and decending keyboard riff in "Wrapped Around Your Finger" is missing, and there's a lot more echo from Sting's voice in "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic". Background sounds and vocals on various songs are heard more prominently in the mix as well. You'll see what I mean but its a fresh take on songs that are very familar.
The documentary is a hoot too. The host seems a little too goofy at first but asked all the questions I would to the band at the time. Watching Stuart show the history of drum styles is great too. I disagree with him though that drumming is the easiest thing in the world.
All in all, if you're a Police fan, a Sting fan, or fan of just great music, check this out!
29 Finally, A Police DVD!!!!!
I'm watching this DVD as I'm writing this review and so far, so good!!!! The early videos are so goofy and geeky - like so many other early 80's videos - with Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland defintely lokking like a punk/new wave band; while the later videos are more somber..and before this DVD came out, the only video I'd seen was for "Every Breath You Take". Those are the pros, here's the cons: the sound mixing is a little weird, they should have added the Synchronicity concert video on this DVD, and if they really wanted to make this a must have not just for diehard fans but for casual fans as well they should have packaged this DVD with the best-of compilation EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE: THE CLASSICS.
Anyway, great DVD, but here's what should have been:
CD
1. Roxanne
2. Can't Stand Losing You
3. So Lonely
4. Message In A Bottle
5. Walking On The Moon
6. The Bed's Too Big Without You
7. Don't Stand So Close To Me
8. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
9. When The World Is Running Down...
10. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
11. Invisible Sun
12. Spirits In The Material World
13. Demolition Man
14. Synchronicity II
15. Every Breath You Take
16. King Of Pain
17. Wrapped Around Your Finger
18. Don't Stand So Close To Me '86
DVD
Music Videos:
1. Roxanne
2. Can't Stand Losing You
3. Message In A Botte
4. Walking On The Moon
5. So Lonely
6. Don't Stand So Close To Me
7. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
8. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
9. Invisible Sun
10. Spirits In The Material World
11. Every Breath You Take
12. Wrapped Around Your Finger
13. Synchronicity II
14. Don't Stand So Close To Me '86
Bonus Material:
1. Can't Stand Losing You/Next To You from OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST
2. Demolition Man, One World (Not Three), Spirits In The
Material World and Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic from
POLICE IN MONSERRAT
3. STUDIES IN SYNCHRONICITY promo clip
4. THE SYNCHRONICTY CONCERT
30 ROCK N' ROLL HALL OF FAME Inductees!
THANKS God for the ROCK N' ROLL hall of fame for bringing focus back on one of the finest POP GROUPS in history....THE POLICE! The DVD is the BEST thing coming down the pike BECAUSE it does have the MONTSERRAT Special that aired on MTV in the US back in 1982. It has been captured on VHS by collectors and it has been circulating BUT I am sure the quality of this will blow that away!
This is a GREAT DVD because it does have extras! Why did A&M re-issue their CDs with a DIGI-PAK cover and that is it??? What happened to the interviews, demos, RARE tracks, etc? Oh well, at least we have this DVD.
31 'A paradigm for the cosmos...'
Whilst the release of •À?Every Breath You Take - The DVD•À? sees a long overdue release of fourteen of The Police's videos in the DVD format, it is the bonus material that has been included which undoubtedly forms one of the main attractions of this release. Chief amongst this material is the full 47 minute documentary "Police in Montserrat". This BBC documentary was only shown on UK television a couple of times back in the 1980's - indeed it's first showing almost pre-dates home video recorders! - and to the best of our knowledge it has never been broadcast outside of the UK. To make this release even more interesting this version includes several clips that did not make one of the previous broadcasts (the second we believe). These take the form of an extended intro, and additional footage of all three band members being interviewed.
So, what's the story behind the documentary? Well, in mid 1981, a youthful pre-'Tube' Jools Holland flew out to Montserrat with a small camera crew to film The Police at work recording their fourth album, •À?Ghost In The Machine•À?. After cold Leatherhead and rainy Holland where the first three albums were recorded, the island of Montserrat and George Martin's homely Air Studio offered a welcoming, warm environment for the recording of what many fans still consider to be the band's best album. After Jools' introduction to the island we see Sting running up a hill to the studio, and are thrust straight into a series of fascinating interviews and videos. Jools talks to each band member in turn, asking Andy to explain how he gets some of his effects and gets him to demonstrate his Roland guitar synthesiser. Andy plays licks from several songs including •À?Message In A Bottle•À? to demonstrate and •À?Bring On The Night•À? and Jools ask him about his influences before unceremoniously pulling out his guitar lead after Andy plays a little 'funk' for him with the comment "I think that's best left to James Brown...". Joined by Jools on keyboards the pair then jam some blues tune and we get to see Andy play a little bottleneck guitar - quiet a rare sight.
Sting is interviewed in the studio where he explains to Jools a little about the pressures of songwriting, the desire to always try and better your last hit, and tells how he wrote both •À?Message In A Bottle•À? and •À?Invisible Sun•À?. The explanation for Sting's almost boyish enthusiasm during this interview can now be revealed - he had just written a new song, •À?Invisible Sun•À?, and this clip was not in one of the previous broadcasts. These few minutes are practically worth the price of the DVD alone, with Sting breaking the songs down and explaining in detail how they were constructed. In further 'new' footage, Sting then introduces his customised stand-up Van Zalinge bass, 'Brian', before he and Jools start jamming away where they are joined by Andy Summers.
Jools moves to Stewart Copeland and gets him to explain his drum set-up and demonstrate some of the effects he employs. Stewart describes how important the role of the drummer is at the start of recording and explains in layman's terms his fascination for reggae, demonstrating the key differences between the reggae beat and the traditional backbeat. Stewart's obvious enthusiasm is almost contagious, and at one point he neatly sums up the reggae beat as 'a paradigm for the cosmos'. As if this wasn't enough, intercut between all these clips are four full length videoclips shot in the studio for •À?Spirit's In The Material World•À?, •À?One World (Not Three)•À?, •À?Demolition Man•À? and •À?Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic•À?.
Other special features include a discography, and two live tracks from October 1978's appearance on the "Old Grey Whistle Test" TV show •À?Can't Stand Losing You•À? and •À?Next To You•À?. This was The Police's big break on UK television and featured The Police at their bleach blonde best. Although memorable to many for Sting's nose twitching and lip curling, this wasn't 'attitude' but explained by the fact that moments before going on set he'd had an accident in makeup when trying to help out a make-up assistant with a jammed aerosol. Result? Stinging, painful eyes that he hid behind an oversize pair of sunglasses that kept sliding down his face - hence the twitching! Despite this, these two tracks are great performances.
In addition, a TV promotional clip for the •À?Synchronicity•À? album is included. This atmospheric black and white film features music clips from a variety of album tracks as the camera swoops around a room full of objects and imagery related to the album and close ups from the album sleeve photo session. Speaking about these photographs back in 1985, Sting said "My idea was that each member of the band would just go out and be photographed in an environment that he chose and that the three things would somehow relate, and they actually did. Mine was all involved with skeletons; the skeleton of a dinosaur... I guess mine was concerned with extinction." Prophetic words as this of course would be the band's last studio album...
Lastly, we must not overlook the fourteen full length videos - all the hits are covered from •À?Roxanne to•À? 1986's reworking of •À?Don't Stand So Close To Me•À?, and it is wonderful to see them get a crisp transfer to DVD. Coupled with a choice of audio formats in Dolby Stereo, Dolby 5.1 and DTS 5.1 they sound terrific too! It is also worth noting that the Montserrat documentary is subtitled in both Spanish and Portuguese. All in all, this is a wonderful release that really reinforces the magic of The Police and demonstrates just why they were the biggest band around in the early '80's.
