The Police
Synchronicity Concert

THE REVIEW

It is with the VHS of this performance in Atlanta from November 1983 that I got to know The Police.

They are fantastic in this concert, which is a beautiful testament to this unique and troubled three-way marriage.

I would like to recommend it to everyone because some songs are far superior to the studio version, and I am not just referring to the energy they radiate. Here are the songs I prefer.

Let's start with "Synchronicity I," which is developed with Copeland never using the hi-hat to keep time, but the crash. The stage version is a whip. The studio version is splendid but less energetic. This version, with less keyboard, truly captures the essence of the piece. Sometimes what transforms a great song into a masterpiece is removing, not adding.

"Walking in Your Footsteps" is another gem. The version on record is a splendid slow piece. But live, I prefer it, with Copeland on the xylophone, and Summers fantastic, concluding with one of his "solos," while on the record it is really too restrained. Summers' guitar, discreet, intelligent, and sad, truly reflects the seriousness and bitter irony of the song.

"Message in a Bottle" for my part, is really superior to the studio version. In the studio version, Copeland, in the verses, accompanies too much on the drums and disturbs Sting's voice. In this concert, it is more jazzed. While Sting sings the verses, Copeland accompanies with both sticks on the hi-hat. Then the transition to the chorus, and then Copeland's spectacular accompaniment (watch him at the third chorus how he uses his left hand). Beautiful "returns" after the choruses.

"Hole in My Life" live becomes a masterpiece, with a superb Copeland once again. The version on the record, although excellent, lacked a bit of character.

"So Lonely" is even more beautiful than the studio version in the sung part; but already the studio version was bow-worthy.

"Every Breath You Take" is good. But the studio version is unbeatable. I have never heard a live version that matches it.

"The Police are unparalleled live" – wrote "Billboard" commenting on the VHS.

This concert is beautiful also because there are cameras among the audience, and you can see the joy of the kids singing the songs.

And then you start to think back to the early '80s, when the world – despite the Cold War – was beginning to find hope again after the gloomy previous decade.