Well, as a veteran of playing live music for the past twenty five years one thing that I have learned is that, no matter how high the level of musicianship, some nights you're on, some nights you're off. We're only human. I think many people are spoiled by the perfection of modern recordings. Hell, this has been a problem since the advent of multitrack recording. Jesus, the Beatles stopped touring, Steely Dan stopped touring because of the problems surrounding live playing. Screaming fans, bad sound systems, lame venues, relentless pressures of touring.....
I think these guys have proved themselves. What have YOU done lately? Sting's solo stuff is fantastic IMHO. He has a sound. Instantly recognizable. Comparing him with Enya is an insult to both him and her.
You know, Bach wasn't appreciated while he was alive. His music was old fashioned. His son C.P.E. Bach was like, hip man. (Who can take a rainbow...) Point is, in a hundred years, the Police AND Sting will be recognized to be among the best of late twentieth century music.
