@timberwolfenstein Well put. What was Sting supposed to do, try and sound like James. I also admire him playing this extremely difficult string instrument in front the man himself. I don’t feel it was butchered and his voice was very soulful as usual.. I wonder how many of these YouTubers know how difficult this arrangement was, let alone understand what it’s like to pay tribute to a legend. Sting is one of the most talented people on the planet. He challenged himself.
Sting was obviously nervous performing for James Taylor. It’s amazing that an artist of Sting’s magnitude is still intimidated when performing in front of his peers. I’m not putting Sting down. On the contrary, as a fellow musician, I can totally relate. It’s one thing when you perform for a nameless crowd and quite different when in front of other musicians, especially ones that you may have idolized.
Its a brave man that attempts such a different version of such a well known song. Paul Simon did a great job with Brian Wilson’s/Beach Boys Surfer girl at the tribute to Brian Wilson. Not so successful for Sting but its a worthy effort and a nice listen.
Its a brace man that attempts a different version of such a well known song. Paul Simon did a great job with Brian Wilson’s/Beach Boys Surfer girl at the tribute to Brian Wilson. Not so successful for Sting but its a worthy effort and a nice listen.
The detractors don’t seem to realize that James Taylor stood up when Sting was introduced… AND… James Taylor gave a standing applause when the song was done.
For those saying this was off key. No, it wasn’t. There was no discordance in his performance. If you heard it then I suggest you get yourselves some better speakers What I think people may have had a problem with is the time signature. It’s not 4/4. Try beating it out, it’s more like 2/2 or 2/4 time and there is some hesitation. Giving him stick for playing a challenging instrument is such a yawn. I don’t see your youtube response here. & No I’m not a huge Sting fan.
@bigchinasean I don’t agree that all JT’s work in the 80′s and 90′s was worthless. Where did you get this idea? Do you listen to music, or do you just read biographies and what “music journalists” such as yourself write? There were some excellent tunes in those days, but not so many. “Never Die Young” was a good one, “Only One” was as well, and “Copperline” was good. I should like to know what makes those songs worthless. Do you have any songs of your own, by the way?
I’m a big Sting fan. Since I was about 11. I’ve been a James Taylor fan even longer. I was surprised to see him so nervous. It’s funny but, I think now that I’ve seen them sing the same song James is heads and tails above him musically. Funny. It might would have been better if he had sung Steamroller. Wonderful opening words, though.
Must have a different version of this video than some of you. Don’t hear/see anything cringeworthy here … just Sting’s way of hearing/performing another person’s work.
A Great player bringing a whole different fee and Nuance to a Great artist’s great song, I am so amateur, that I can barely fathom the greatness that happens here between two great artists
He is playing a Baroque LUTE. Yes, his abilities are marginal on the instrument, but he certainly got the song across. I admire his courage and abilities.
for me personally all those mistakes he is making gives that whole song kind of a celtic tune…
@bangwhistle69 Sting could have just played it on guitar if he wasn’t so pretentious, but – yes – James is a tough act to follow.
@timberwolfenstein Well put. What was Sting supposed to do, try and sound like James. I also admire him playing this extremely difficult string instrument in front the man himself. I don’t feel it was butchered and his voice was very soulful as usual.. I wonder how many of these YouTubers know how difficult this arrangement was, let alone understand what it’s like to pay tribute to a legend. Sting is one of the most talented people on the planet. He challenged himself.
Sting was obviously nervous performing for James Taylor. It’s amazing that an artist of Sting’s magnitude is still intimidated when performing in front of his peers. I’m not putting Sting down. On the contrary, as a fellow musician, I can totally relate. It’s one thing when you perform for a nameless crowd and quite different when in front of other musicians, especially ones that you may have idolized.
This is awesome.
thx for sharin… luv it
~~ two beautiful men
Its a brave man that attempts such a different version of such a well known song. Paul Simon did a great job with Brian Wilson’s/Beach Boys Surfer girl at the tribute to Brian Wilson. Not so successful for Sting but its a worthy effort and a nice listen.
Its a brace man that attempts a different version of such a well known song. Paul Simon did a great job with Brian Wilson’s/Beach Boys Surfer girl at the tribute to Brian Wilson. Not so successful for Sting but its a worthy effort and a nice listen.
Listen, people can argue forever about this performance, but the vocals were excellent! BobbyK
Damn, boy! If I hadn’t already been in love with you this would have done it.
booooring
@jstraw4 agreed James Taylor is a legend.
The detractors don’t seem to realize that James Taylor stood up when Sting was introduced… AND… James Taylor gave a standing applause when the song was done.
For those saying this was off key. No, it wasn’t. There was no discordance in his performance. If you heard it then I suggest you get yourselves some better speakers What I think people may have had a problem with is the time signature. It’s not 4/4. Try beating it out, it’s more like 2/2 or 2/4 time and there is some hesitation. Giving him stick for playing a challenging instrument is such a yawn. I don’t see your youtube response here. & No I’m not a huge Sting fan.
@flycentro123
arrested by the police, or arrested by The Police? Perhaps, if the whole band was there, he might have had some semblance of timing.
I was told that youtube had taken this video down because of the beating that Sting did to it… sorry to see it still here..
….was he drunk?
@bigchinasean I don’t agree that all JT’s work in the 80′s and 90′s was worthless. Where did you get this idea? Do you listen to music, or do you just read biographies and what “music journalists” such as yourself write? There were some excellent tunes in those days, but not so many. “Never Die Young” was a good one, “Only One” was as well, and “Copperline” was good. I should like to know what makes those songs worthless. Do you have any songs of your own, by the way?
I’m a big Sting fan. Since I was about 11. I’ve been a James Taylor fan even longer. I was surprised to see him so nervous. It’s funny but, I think now that I’ve seen them sing the same song James is heads and tails above him musically. Funny. It might would have been better if he had sung Steamroller. Wonderful opening words, though.
Sting. Why are you such a spa?
Must have a different version of this video than some of you. Don’t hear/see anything cringeworthy here … just Sting’s way of hearing/performing another person’s work.
A Great player bringing a whole different fee and Nuance to a Great artist’s great song, I am so amateur, that I can barely fathom the greatness that happens here between two great artists
He is playing a Baroque LUTE. Yes, his abilities are marginal on the instrument, but he certainly got the song across. I admire his courage and abilities.