This came out in 2001 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
It might seem that Sept. 11, 2001 was the worst possible evening Sting could have picked to record a live album in front of a small crowd in Tuscany. But judging by All This Time, it may have been the best possible evening.
After debating whether to cancel, Sting and his band decided to play one song — the anti-violence number Fragile — and continue if things felt right. Things obviously did. And they sound absolutely right on this superior 15-song set of old Police faves (Don’t Stand So close to Me, Roxanne, If You Love Someone, Set Them Free and a punched-up Every Breath You Take) and solo material (Brand New Day, If I Ever Lose my Faith In You, A Thousand Years). Spurred by the tragic events of the day and the emotions they stirred, Sting delivers these songs with an urgency and passion he hasn’t shown for years. Frankly, I didn’t think he had it in him, and I’m sorry it took tragedy to bring it out. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m glad we got to hear it.
