Sting

By BARRY KRUTCHIK

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Sting (Greek Theater; 6,162 seats; $ 72.75 top)
 
Band: Sting, Kenny Kirkland, Dominic Miller, Vinnie Colaiuta, Clark Gayton, Butch Thomas. Opened,
 

TX:Presented by Nederlander. reviewed Aug. 20, 1996; closes Aug. 24. After many solo treks across the country, Sting has found a comfort factor in his live show that allows him to have fun while giving the crowd what they paid for -- songs about life, love, heartache and loss. In a nutshell, Sting knows all about the sentiment of his current hit, "Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot."

Sting spent the first of four nights at the Greek celebrating his fourth wedding anniversary, as the audience celebrated by warmly receiving new material and singing along to solo hits and numbers from the bassist's days with the Police. The dynamics of the show were superb. Dressed in black, Sting began the 90-minute show highlighting, in order, four songs from his new disc, "Mercury Falling.""The Hounds of Winter" and "I Hung My Head" put the faithful in the mood for "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free, ""Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" and "Roxanne." Sting is in command now, more so than in earlier solo shows, and as he presents his wide spectrum of work , he does so with an ease that the audience can easily embrace.

Sting asked a member of the audience, "divorced Brian from Santa Monica," to join him for a very fitting rendition of "I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying," a breath of comic fresh air.

Longtime Sting associates jazzman Kenny Kirkland on keyboards, guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta allow their leader to pilot a melange of styles and moods, while he plays bass with his own frugality and verve. Butch Thomas' trombone solos were a standout, and Clark Gayton's sax added the much needed horn support. Backing vocalists would have given the evening a bolstered sound.