September 13, 2021

​

Stewart Copeland is a man of many talents.  He has written music for movies, plays, operas, video games and TV shows.  

​

Oh yeah, he also happens to be the drummer for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, The Police.

​

This time around he has arranged, or as he says "deranged" music from The Police to perform with a few orchestra's from around the country. 

​

On Saturday night, he along with three amazing singers, Amy Keys, Carmel Helene, and  Ashley Tamar, guitarist Rusty Anderson (borrowed from Paul McCartney) bassist Armand Sabal-Lecco, and conductor Edwin Outwater, Copeland and The Cleveland Orchestra put on a very fun and entertaining evening to close out the Orchestra's summer run at Blossom Music Center. 

​

Playing some hits as well as a few deep cuts from The Police catalog, Copeland and company had the audience thrilled with the different orchestral arrangements of those songs.

​

Opening with "Demoliton Man" the orchestra was off and running.

​

Stewart came out from behind the kit to speak to the audience and to thank "The colossal Cleveland Orchestra" a name he called them several times throughout the show.

​

The first set also included "King Of Pain," a reggae version of "Roxanne" and "Spirits In The Material World."

​

Before intermission, Copeland once again appeared center stage and deadpanned, "What do you call a drummer who drops one of his sticks?  A conductor!"  With his one drum stick he then conducted the orchestra on "The Equalizer" TV theme song.

​

When he was done he noted that conducting is hard work and he would rather get back to drumming.

​

After intermission, Copeland and the Cleveland Orchestra opened with The Police's biggest hit, "Every Breath You Take."  

​

Stewart may have been the headline name, and of course the Cleveland Orchestra is second to none, but the real stars of the show were the phenomenal singers.  Each lady took turns singing lead on various tunes and provided outstanding harmonies.  They also looked like they were really enjoying themselves on stage.

​

Heck, I even saw a few orchestra members smile when Copeland invited everyone down front for the last three songs to make it a real rock concert.

​

Many people got a front row seat to rock out to "Message In A Bottle," "Can't Stand Losing You" and the show closing "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic."

​

What a fun way for the Cleveland Orchestra to close their summer season.  Copeland reminded fans to check out the orchestra's new performances coming up later this year at Severance Hall.

​

​

​

Photos and review by Greg Drugan

​

​

​