The Sting (1973)

A rather special concert
All This Time is a 2001 DVD of a rather special concert given by Sting and his band at his own villa in Tuscany on 11 September - the same day that the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington had cast a pall over the world. The concert was a showcase of many great Sting songs -nearly all from his solo career and the sound quality is very good. The settling was relaxed and quite intimate, though there is a sombre tone early on as he refers to the bombings. As the concert unfolds, the audience's mood lightens. Some bonus tracks are also embedded for the sharp-eyed to unveil using the DVD remote.

I was attracted to this DVD because, like many people , I have been a fan of Sting's great songwriting for many years and I have yet to see him live in concert. Nor had I owned a concert DVD of his before. The highlights of this show: When We Dance ( a sublime performance of a really beautiful song that may be new to some viewers but which is one of my favourite Sting songs), Fragile ( which appears here in a new, updated arrangement ) , the bluesy take on the autobiographical All This Time and the unfamiliar but entertaining song Dienda. He delved into his Police catalogue for the timeless standard Every Breath You Take and his breakthrough hit Roxanne, while I was delighted to hear him sing If I Ever Lose My Faith In You ( from 1993's Ten Summoner's Tales CD ). I was also very happy to see him perform the song Desert Rose ( from 1999's Brand New Day CD) with Algerian vocalist Cheb Mami onstage to reprise their awesome vocal duet from that album.

Behind The Scenes documentary footage reveals much about the house, the band and the genesis of this project , and also reveals how they very nearly felt compelled to cancel the concert earlier that fateful day while news of the deadly terror attacks was being beamed into their house / concert venue. We can all be grateful that the show went on as planned and All This Time later (in 2008 ) this serves as a wonderful example of why Sting is such a highly-rated musical performer.

I really like this and am giving it 4.5 stars.

Looking for a song
I thought this was a good DVD. I thought I'd seen a video concert of Sting where he did the song - She's Too Good For Me. Does anyone know if he has, and what DVD is it. I love that song.

Stunning
What planet is the reviewer "William" on? People, this was a stunning concert and so fresh and vital. Not some rehashed, night after night reconstitution of the norm. Sting is very emotional in this and brings every thing he has to the event along with all the musicians he invited to share the night with him. Please give this a chance! Brilliant musicians, the likes of Christian Mcbride and Chris Botti, in a setting that will never be repeated. Bravo!