The Police: Synchronicity Concert

By: Erik Swift

November 2005

DVD Features Video: 2.35:1 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 2.0 Synchronicity Concert Trailer Interview In Melbourne, Australia 1984 DVD released on 11/08/2005  by Universal Music Running Time: 76 Mins Set List: 1. Intro 2. Synchronicity I 3. Walking In Your Footsteps 4. Message In A Bottle 5. Walking On The Moon 6. Wrapped Around Your Finger 7. Hole In My Life 8. King Of Pain 9. One World [Not Three] 10. Tea In My Sahara 11. O My God 12. De do do do, de da da da 13. Every Breath You Take 14. Can’t Stand Losing You 15. Spirits In The Material World 16. So Lonely 17. Credits More Police: Synchronicity Concert Multi Angle Tracks: 1. Synchronicity II 2. Roxanne 3. Invisible Sun 4. Don’t Stand So Close To Me

“Finally!” raves Foo Fighter Taylor Hawkins on a sticker attached to the anticipated DVD of The Police’s Synchronicity tour film. That one word says it all from the drummer in a band created by one - Dave Grohl. In numerous interviews behind their mammoth double-disc “In Your Honor,” both Foos often sing the praises of Police anchor Stewart Copeland. His beats are everywhere in the 1983 Atlanta concert, and each roll and fill is sharply audible on Universal’s “Synchronicity Concert” DVD where even the menus rock! Their last tour, luckily captured by Godley & Crème, spawned this 1984 production that remains the best-edited concert film of all time.

The Police (Copeland, bassist Sting and guitarist Andy Summers) would scale unbelievable heights with the Grammy-winning “Synchronicity” after four credible albums that straddled punk and pop. They had to go on hiatus following this tour; once backup singers come in, it’s time for a break. Godley & Crème made an energetic, bouncy and bright work that is as vibrant and playful as The Police, and it was ripe for DVD: extra songs had to exist! Four appear, but they aren’t edited into the original 75 minutes - they pop up as multi-angle bonus features. Until the Japanese-only “Ghost In The Machine” tour offering or “Police: Around The World” ever appear on DVD (hopefully including all the new footage from the hodge-podge “Outlandos to Synchronicities”), fans can’t be choosy. It’s good to have them here.

The Police cruise through these 19 songs so quickly the “Synchronicity Concert” can’t be watched only once. A six-minute “Can’t Stand Losing You” seems long at first but they wow the Omni crowd with that and a stretchy “Hole In My Life” that contains some of the show’s best stuff. “Walking On The Moon” has more muscle then ever; its punching steps will burst through the smallest of speakers. Sting funks out “One World (Not Three), and his bass has never leaped like it does on the previously unreleased “Roxanne.” Much of the instrumental prowess comes from Summers, who adds amazing textures to “Tea In The Sahara;” his effectively understated work on “Every Breath You Take” belies the song’s simplicity. The trio’s interplay on “Message In A Bottle” is killer but few bands can generate the unpredictable fun of “O My God”.

Nothing had ever been assembled like “Synchronicity Concert.” Godley & Crème nail its look with a bag of technical tricks ranging from various tints to slow motion and strobes. Coupled with Sting’s ragged red, blue and yellow shirt, it’s a visual whirlwind. Besides, when was the last Atlanta concert filmed that didn’t have a Robinson, Roland or Allman brother around? The remastered sound is stellar but a wrinkle or two from the master tapes can be seen. The bonus Australian interviews a few months after the filming give occasional hints of the band’s impending doom, despite their optimism. This DVD’s unique views catch every bob of their heads, and The Police are more alive than live here. Every band should disappear so vividly.

Reviewer’s Opinion: BUY IT!!