Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
When audiences first heard about this gig, the pairing of Paul Simon with Sting was one that may have struck many as not being an obvious combination and having seen the gig, for many it arguably still doesn’t – they’re an odd couple of monumentally iconic proportions but together they delivered a very special night indeed.
The stage was jam packed with musicians of the very highest quality – the session guys worked in shifts – some with Paul, some with Sting, including the legendary drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and some with both, which gave the whole night a real feeling of unity but what nobody could have expected was three gigs for the price of one.
The night kicked off with Paul and Sting paying tribute to each other; Brand New Day, Boy in the Bubble, Fields of Gold and Mother Child Reunion provided a superb opening gambit, which with the temporary disappearance of Mr. Simon, then morphed into a full blown Sting gig. His energy and stage presence almost contradict each other in that he appeared to make it look so easy, yet delivered with such passion. His voice is as strong and youthful as in his heyday and the musicianship completely flawless, enveloping the entire arena in Arabic, African and South American influences. All the hits were there – Englishman in New York, Walking on the Moon, Shape of my Heart…the list went on and on.
Paul Simon rejoined and so ensued yet another setlist of pure classics; Mrs. Robinson, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Still Crazy After All These Years, Me and Julio down by the Schoolyard – the crowd was surely in heaven.
As beautifully performed as the Gracelands hits were though, Ladysmith Black Mambazo were highly noticeable through their absence. This section of the gig definitely lacked the rich African percussive vocals that made that album so special back in 1985.
Gig highlight number one arguably came in the form of Sting performing Paul Simon’s America, with a very classy segue into Message in a Bottle and of course, highlight number two being the beautiful duet of Bridge Over Troubled Water for the encore.
The pairing might still leave some a little confused. Sting was clearly the stronger performer on the night in the physical sense, with the energy levels dropping considerably when Paul Simon took to the microphone but age is indeed a factor and there should be nothing but admiration and respect for the massive back catalogue of work boasted by both of them.
Nic Perrins