Can't Stand Losing You: Surviving The Police

Can't Stand Losing You: Surviving The Police (2012)

Documentary

Starring Andy Summers, Stewart Copeland, Sting

Directed by Andy Grieve, Laura Lazin

The Story:

Follow along as Andy Summers narrates excerpts from his memoir about his life before, during, and after The Police. The story is told between flashbacks of old archival footage and that of the 2007-2008 reunion tour that celebrated the 30th anniversary of The Police.

It is interesting as you can see Sting's rise to fame, and 30 years later, he's still the star of the show, much to the consternation of his fellow band-mates. Sting doesn't want The Police to continue, the band is over, no discussion, no give and take with his partners.

It's all well and good, but Summers delivery is very monotone and has no inflection of life, humor, or anything to it.

It's as if he's reading his book, but thankfully it fades to music to wake you back up.

Summers love for photography drives the second half of the proceedings as his photographs that he took while on tour with the band during their heyday are now hanging in a gallery on display.

Overall for the enjoyment of this documentary, your mileage will vary depending on how much of a fan of The Police you were.

They pretty much broke up as I was changing my radio station from country to Rock and Roll, so nothing new came out from them once I started listening.  They grabbed the beginning of the MTV revolution only to disband and never rise to greater heights.

In theory, if not for ego, they could still be together ala U2, rocking into the new millennium.

Ah well, chalk it up to what might have been.

Final Grade: C

You Know Their Music...Now Learn Their Names. "20 Feet From Stardom"

20 Feet From Stardom (2013)
Rated PG-13 for language

Starring Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Bruce Springsteen, Sting

The Story:

As the title states, 20 feet from the lead singer, these backup singers are what provided much of the hook for the music of the 60s and 70s.  Odds are, you already know the songs, and like Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer Darlene Love, you know the voices.  You just don't know the names to the ladies in question.  Or, as we'll learn, many times their vocals were sent out under different names entirely.

It's a fascinating  look at the ladies who became stars in their own right, even if the public never knew who they were.

Darlene Love, whose biggest solo hit, Christmas(Baby Please Come Home) is revisited every year on The Late Show with David Letterman is indeed the most famous of all the singers, but by no means is she the only talented backup singer profiled in this documentary.

Again, while the majority of this documentary looks back at the powerful vocalists who helped define the sounds of the 60s and 70s, there are still background singers today, backing some of the biggest acts.

They just aren't as prolific as they once were.

Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen and Sting, among others, extol the virtues of these ladies and how important to the work and sound they truly are.

Sheryl Crow, herself a former backup singer offers some insight as well, as possibly one of the most famous backups to make the long 20 foot walk to the center of the stage.

An amazing soundtrack to a really good movie.

Now streaming on Netflix if you're interested.

Final Grade: Solid B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I don't think I would need to own it, but would have no problem watching this very well made documentary again.