|
The
following article appeared in a July 2010 issue of the Times
Herald-Record newspaper. The author was Sandy Tomcho.
Sting
ready to rock Bethel Woods ... with an orchestra
Iconic music man brings orchestra to garden.
English guitarist Dominic Miller was working with Phil Collins and the
Pretenders in the late 1980s when a door opened that led to an
introduction with Sting. He literally went from "Another Day in
Paradise" to "Brand New Day."
"I have a very enviable day job," Miller laughingly admits. "The day
job is good."
Miller has toured with Sting since 1990 and has recorded seven albums
with him. They've performed more than 1,000 shows together, not
including Friday's show at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, where
they'll perform with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
When he's not on the road with Sting, the father of six works on solo
projects, his latest being "November."
From the road, Miller spoke with Go! reporter Sandy Tomcho about his
solo efforts and life with Sting.
Q&A: Dominic Miller
Q.
On your latest album, "November," you decided to focus on composition,
ditch vocals and make an all-instrumental record. Why?
A. I really needed a change in direction. I've done so many albums
that are kind of acoustic and (contemporary). I just wanted to change
the style and go electric. I suppose it might have something to do
with my age (laughs) — like a midlife crisis album. I didn't worry
about how it would be received. It's not my job. The whole point of
this album was to contrast my day job. I wanted to stay away from what
the masses should think about what I do.
Q.
How do you find the time to balance your own career as well as play
with Sting?
A. (Laughs) It's quite difficult; really. I have to do my music a bit
quicker. I have to rush. I can't afford the luxury of going into a
studio and developing ideas over months. So, really, my music is done
much more quickly, but with restrictions and with a deadline. It
really makes you quite creative.
Q.
How does Sting work? Does he collaborate with you or does he present
his ideas and tell you how he wants it done?
A. It's a bit of everything. He's a great musician. The people he
wants around him are people who can come up with ideas, and what he
does is edit those ideas and shape them around his plan and his
vision. He is a great visionary. He has an amazing instinct when it
comes to thinking outside of the box, which I really like. It's
encouraging. I've been working with him for 20 years now, and I'm very
fortunate to be working with someone who's that creative.
Q.
When Sting decided to go this route with the tour, to be accompanied
by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, what were your thoughts?
A. Every musical decision that Sting's ever made has been a risky one,
I think. He's put his bollocks on the table every single time. Like
with the lute album and putting the Police back together. When he said
to me, "I want to do an orchestra album," I felt, "Well, are you sure?
It sounds like a crazy idea. We should be doing rock 'n' roll." Then,
the more I'm into it, the more it's a great idea. He's growing older.
His fans are growing older with him. They have a different outlook on
the world now and so does he. It's kind of a journey that they're
making together. It was a good decision. I like this tour because it's
very, very challenging, musically. It's much more difficult than
anything I've ever done with him. This tour is more grown-up versions
of songs that people know. The audience can expect to create a
different relationship with those songs."
© The Times Herald-Record by Sandy Tomcho
More press >> |
|