STING “I Make Records Out Of Love And Curiosity”

Sting returns to a place of collaborative creativity with the release of his new album Duets; even if, in almost every other way, he continues to find comfort, innocence and improvement in blissful isolation

- Danny Bowman

HE IS STING, he is Gordon Sumner, he is the exfrontman of one of the most pioneering bands of the post-punk era, who sold 75 million records worldwide; he is the right man to ask about a Police reunion, right? Wrong.

Speaking to Sting, The Police can feel like the go-to topic for every lazy or poorly-prepared interviewer. Even a journalist suddenly finding themselves bereft of any other questions would be best advised to steer clear from probing the idea of the London-formed three-piece linking hands again, instead perhaps commenting on the impeccable style or excellent health of the 69-year-old frontman. It’s not because Sting is particularly offended by the approach, nor that he has spent the best part of four decades cultivating a reputation as a wholly content solo artist (although that’s true).

Perhaps it’s more that he is a creative who doesn’t necessarily crave the company of others. To typify this, there is an intriguing shot from the end of The Police’s final gig, held at the Melbourne Showgrounds on March 4, 1984. Drummer Stewart Copeland and lead guitarist Andy Summers stare out into the worshipping crowd knowing the era of the band had come to a close just a few moments before. The camera lingers on their faces to capture the raw emotion of the moment, as the congregation pours a sombre, messy mass of elation and profound sadness onto the musicians. And then there’s Sting—grateful for the adulation but, instead of reflective and melancholy like everyone else in the arena, he’s alive, excited and focused straight away on the solo experiences he knows he is going to create for himself.