Buffalo Boy's Blog

My concert going days are almost complete. I have one band left to see. (Im exaggerating of course, once a music lover always a music lover). Last night was one in a million. As a fan of the Police and Elvis Costello two legendary acts in their own rights last night made for the perfect storm.

I have to admit, I was like a kid in a candy store, it was a once in a lifetime chance to see the Police reunion, I never got to see them back in the day and to see Costello with full band who seems to enjoy Buffalo as he was just here last September.

I also managed to meet Andy Summers before the show. I got there about 2 hours ahead of time just to soak it all in and walking by the security entrance it looked like Summers so I stopped and yes it was him!. It netted me some autographed stuff and he was one of the friendliest people you could ask to meet.

Then the show.....

Elvis came on first and ripped through new material that was well mixed with classics. The new stuff? It absolutely rocks. The only way to get it is to buy the Vinyl and then download the MP3 version of Costello and the Imposters new double album Momofuku. Costello continues to release quality stuff and when with a full band, plays with the same piss and vinegar he had back in the 70's when he broke on the punk scene.

His classics/crowd pleasers included Everyday I Write the Book which pleased me as one I wanted to hear, Radio Radio, Pump It Up, Watching the Detective and Allison. All made for a high energy set that on any other night would have stolen the show. He could have easily done a two hour set all by himself.

Then came the Police, they came out with a fan favorite Bring On the Night, one of their best written songs and it was a perfect version of it. Demolition man was next and from there they tore shit up. Message in a Bottle, Roxanne, Synchronicity II, Invisible Sun, Next To You, Every Breath You Take and really my favorite of the night, When the World Is Running Down that featured Andy Summers tear it up. Sting and Stewart Copeland were amazing on bass and drums and I think I can safely say that between Sting and Geddy Lee, I have seen the two best bass players in the world.

Stewart Copeland is right up there with the best drummers of all time. John Bonham, Keith Moon, Neil Peart, and Stewart Copeland. He was simply great with a huge array of percussion behind him including a huge gong. He would stand up and play the kit behind his sit down one for Wrapped Around Your Finger and through those sticking into the air as he raced back and forth between the two kits. Not bad for a guy in his 50's.  

What the nearly sold out crowd was witness to was 7 of the finest musicians in the world, who despite their age, still have a lot to offer the rock world and could teach their younger peers in the music world a thing or two. We can only hope that Sting and co. will change their mind and do some new material.