The Sting [Live]

The Sting [Live]

Track Listings

1. Helldorado

2. Inside the Electric Circus

3. Chainsaw Charlie (Murders in the New Morgue)

4. Wild Child

5. L.O.V.E. Machine

6. Animal (F**k) Like a Beast

7. Sleeping (In the Fire)

8. Damnation Angels

9. Dirty Balls

10. Real Me

11. I Wanna Be Somebody

12. Blind in Texas

Tracks:

Walsingham
Can she excuse my wrongs?
Ryght honorable: as I have bin most bounde unto your honor
Flow my tears
Have you seen the bright lily grow
Then in time passing on Mr. Johnson died
The Most High and Mighty Christianus the Fourth, King of Denmark
The lowest trees have tops
And accordinge as I desired ther cam a letter
Fine knacks for ladies
From thenc I went to the Landgrave of Hessen
Fantasy
Come, heavy sleep
Forlorn Hope Fancy
And from thence I had great desire to see Italy
Come again
Wilt thou unkind thus reave me
After my departure I caled to mynde our conference
Weep you no more, sad fountains
My Lord Willoughbys Welcome Home
Clear or cloudy
Men say that the Kinge of Spain is making gret preparation
In darkness let me dwell

Amazon.com

In choosing to cover the music of John Dowland (1563-1626), who is known as the "melancholy madrigalist" from his output of cheerful ditties like "Flow My Tears," Police bandleader Sting has entered into a whole new realm of austere eeriness. Originally inspired by the gift of a lute, the rock superstar and activist sings the songs, deliciously sweet and tender or spirited by turn, accompanying himself, with Edin Karamazov sitting on lute and archlute. For listeners accustomed to hearing material of this period interpreted by rigorously trained early music stylists, especially countertenors and the like, Sting's sometimes tight-jawed, chest-heavy vocals may seem amateurish. It's undeniable that in four-part harmonies, the singer, tightly overdubbed, comes across like a combination of the Swingle Singers and Queen (meaning Freddy Mercury and crew, NOT the first Elizabeth). But it's important to remember that music of this period was routinely heard as a casual diversion in private homes, even more often than at Court. It was considered a crucial social skill to be able to join in with an adequate degree of skill, but not everyone was able to negotiate the perilous melodic twists and turns typical of the era's music. With this in mind, the overall effect is of a candle-lit, postprandial entertainment in the home of an English gentleman. Muttered readings from Dowland's letters and brief snippets of sampled birdsong aside, it is a courageous effort, displaying heartfelt admiration for the composer and a considerable degree of earnest charm. --Christina Roden

Album Description

StingÂ's Songs From The Labyrinth is an album of 17th century music composed by John Dowland and performed on the lute, an ancient acoustic guitar. After being given a lute nearly two years ago as a gift, Sting became fascinated and immersed himself with the instrument and the history of lute music. Reminded of his almost 25 year long enthrallment with the works of John Dowland, the Elizabethan composer who wrote songs for the lute, Sting has recorded a new album of vocal and lute music. All songs were composed by Dowland in the 17th century, but have been given new life in these fresh new recordings by Sting. Sting not only sings all the songs (accompanied by leading lutenist Edin Karamasov, who appears on two Andreas Scholl albums), but also plays lute on two instrumental duets with Edin and reads short extracts from a fascinating autobiographical letter by Dowland. Sting has also written a brilliant account of the album's genesis, along with notes on the individual tracks, which serves as the CD booklet.

Customer Reviews:

great CD.......2007-07-23

As usual, this is a great STING's cd. Wonderful music and interpretation. Its amazin these songs were written on the 16 century.
I will completely recomend anyone this CD.

Very disappointing.......2007-07-19

As we all know, the music of John Dowland is lovely. When played by Paul Odette or Julian Bream it is exquisite. However, this production is almost depressing. Sting's gravelly voice finally grated on me and I probably won't play this again. The lute performance is mediocre also. The best song is that which they use to promote the album. Pass on this one.

*sigh*.......2007-07-16

I am a lutenist myself, who had experience as both a rock guitarist and a classically trained clarinetist before also picking up the lute. I have a great love for Dowland that comes from years of playing his songs myself as well as hearing great musicians (like Paul O'Dette) play them. And this CD makes me sad.

In a way, it doesn't surprise me that Sting would do this. For years now he's been trying to gain cred in the classical music world (I have a 1988 recording of him doing Stravinsky's A Soldier Tale that delighted me when I was 16 and musically ignorant, but now makes my eyes roll into the back of my head). What upsets me is he had to do something that's initimately important to me as a musician. The is problem is that when it comes this kind of music, as others have said, he IS an amatuer, and all his heavy-handed, juvenile earnesty and clumsy, misplaced intensity just drains out all the joy I would normally experience from these songs. Moreover, he's voice isn't merely "untrained" - it's *shot* from years of strain caused by bad "rock" vocal technique. It's just pitiful to listen to in such an exposed context. If you think this is how these songs ought to be intrepreted, you're sadly mistaken.

There are people who would call Sting a "pop genius, " laud him and hand him all sort of impressive looking awards and honors, but this is the music of a real genius, someone who knew not just how to write lyrics that hit home with his audience, but as how to compose songs with unparallel grace, form and sophistication in an idiosyncratic style that bridged convention and innovation. And Sting simply cannot do Dowland's music justice. He just doesn't have the chops or the insight. It's great he's supposedly "studied" this music and that he wrote lengthy, flowery liner notes, but did he really need to record this CD for any reason that his own self-satisfaction? It's far too obvious he hasn't done the same level of groundwork of countless Early Music musicians who don't do this a hobby or avocation from political causes or high-profile celebrity, but as their sole passion. Why couldn't he simply support those musicians, without trying to grab some spotlight for himself? Having a decent lutenist as a sidekick just isn't enough to pull him up from his amatuerly, self-important bog, either. Frankly, he just doesn't get it, and at this stage, I don't think he will.

Early music lovers don't need someone like Sting to bring this music to us - we've been doing just fine without him because we have so many other, really wonderful musicians around to keep this music alive. Someone else recommended Nigel Rogers and Paul O'Dette, and I would gladly recommend them over this celebrity-fuel nonsense as well. Yes these are both musicians with academic backgrounda, but that doesn't mean they are academic musicians - far from it. They just have to hold down teaching positions and do master classes because they don't have a pop career to play the bills. Musicially and professionally, they're what Early Music musicians ought to be - dedicated, educated, passionate and yet they don't have any need to take themselves this deathly seriously.

Elizabethan Music.......2007-07-12

This is the audio component of an hour long video made by Sting on the work of Elizabethan composer John Dowland. (The video does adds greatly to the value as it places the music against the background and age (16th C) for which it was written.) Sting's voice is light tenor and right for these poems set to music about everlasting human concerns that persist to our day. But you'll not see those wonderful lutes that accompany the words, so complex to play with a beauty of sound not heard today. Between his music Sting gives an excellent spoken commentary to complete an attractive presentation of esoteric classical music with a modern undertone.

Vibe shift.......2007-07-10

Why bother? Still would like to say i love the 'shift' it takes to get into this music and how i (and my home) feel when i've enter this rather rarified realm of listening.

Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984-1994

Average customer rating:

Great songs, where's vol. 2?
Its OK
Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting
Sting is a Hero!
misleading at best

Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984-1994
Sting
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Brand New Day
Songs from the Labyrinth (Music by John Dowland)
The Very Best of... Sting & the Police
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The Dream of the Blue Turtles

ASIN: B000002G2R
Release Date: 1994-11-08

Tracks:

When We Dance
If You Love Somebody Set Them Free
Fields Of Gold
All This Time
Fortress Around Your Heart
Be Still My Beating Heart
They Dance Alone(Cueca Solo)
If I Ever Lose My Faith in You
Fragile
Why Should I Cry for You
Englishman in New York
We'll Be Together
Russians
This Cowboy Song

Amazon.com

A good overview of Sting's radio hits and popular album tracks with only one major omission ("Mad About You"), Fields of Gold also offers three previously-unreleased songs. "This Cowboy Song" and "When We Dance" appear on no other album, while "We'll Be Together" is an alternate version. The import version of this collection offers a substantially different (and expanded) track listing, dropping "Fortress Around Your Heart," "Be Still My Beating Heart," and "Why Should I Cry for You"; and adding "Mad About You," "Nothing 'Bout Me," "Seven Days," "It's Probably Me," "Love is the Seventh Wave," and "Demolition Man." --Gavin McNett

Customer Reviews:

Great songs, where's vol. 2?.......2007-04-12

Sting left the Police and had a tremendously successful solo career. Lots of great songs are on this cd, I just wish a couple more had made it like "It's Probably Me", "Shape of My Heart", "Love is the 7th Wave", "Seven Days" and "Soul Cages". The songs on here are great so I want to give it 5 stars but Sting has released so many more good songs and albums since this that we really need a volume 2 and soon. But as far as the period that this compilation covers, it is a fine way to pick up his best material from those albums.

Its OK.......2007-02-14

Bought it for Feilds Of Gold the only song on it I really like.

Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting.......2007-01-17

What can I say. If you like Sting and his many styles, then this is a must have!

Sting is a Hero!.......2006-12-08

Best Sting collection ever includes most hits like Fields of gold
A must have highly recommended!

misleading at best.......2006-11-06

It's simply not the best of Sting '84-'94.

The version of We'll Be Together (a great song) is an alternate take (mix?), VASTLY inferior to the album / radio version. It's anemic. Lacks the punch. In a word -- sucks.

That you're not told this on the cover is misleading.

I really enjoy Mr. Sumner's music. All the other tunes are as they should be, and they are terrific. 4-5 stars. But don't buy this product if you expect to hear what you've heard on the album or the radio.

Average customer rating:

Another Good Buy
Has all of the good ones!
Truly Classic in every sense of the word!
Sting is King!
Great CD

The Very Best of... Sting & the Police
Sting
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984-1994
Hits
The Best of 1980-1990
Synchronicity [Digipak]
Cars - Complete Greatest Hits

ASIN: B000060KB6
Release Date: 2002-10-01

Tracks:

Message In A Bottle
Can't Stand Losing You
An Englishman In New York
Every Breath You Take
Seven Days
Walking On The Moon
Fields Of Gold
Fragile
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
If You Love Somebody Set Them Free
Brand New Day
Desert Rose
If I Ever Lose My Faith In You
Don't Stand So Close To Me
Roxanne
So Lonely

Album Description

UK exclusive reissue includes new artwork, 13 of the 15 tracks which appear on the 1997 domestic & five more tracks, 'Seven Days', 'De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da', 'Brand New Day', 'Desert Rose' & 'So Lonely'. 18 tracks. 2002.

Album Details

UK-ONLY Release to Commemorate Sting's Award for 'outstanding Contribution to the UK Music Industry' Received at the 2002 Brit Awards. A&m Has Repackaged 'the Very Best of Sting and the Police,' Updating it with his Most Recent Hits 'brand New Day' and 'desert Rose.' This Release Carries a New Sleeve Image and Includes 18 Hit Singles, Five of which were Number One Smashes.

Customer Reviews:

Another Good Buy.......2007-07-21

What can you say you got the best of Sting and the Cops (LOL) it is a very good by.

Has all of the good ones!.......2007-04-28

This one is perfect if you are looking for all of The Police & Stings best hits!

Truly Classic in every sense of the word!.......2007-03-01

I grew up listening to the band "The Police" and always liked the different pop sound and songwriting they did. Although in later years I myself did not follow Sting's solo albums much, I had to pick this up. This album has all the classic songs like "Message in a bottle" and "Roxanne". This album does show you that Sting WAS the Police, because I don't know how else the band could even keep that name without him. Other great songs like the mystical "Walking on the Moon" and the famous super hit "Every breath you take" are also on here. From what this fan can tell, this is maybe the best single CD "best of" if you don't already have the boxed set "Message in a box: The complete recordings". The nice thing is that on this CD you have some of Sting's own wonderful songs like "Fields of Gold". All I can say, if you liked the Police, Sting on his own or both I think this album is a must have for any fan.

Sting is King!.......2007-01-13

This has to be the best music CD I have ever owned. Sting has an incredible voice. All of his songs tell stories. I especially enjoy "Don't Stand So Close To Me". It is the story of a male teacher being subtlely seduced by a girl in his classroom, but he resists the urge to satisfy her desires. That is the way of life. There is always that impulsive feeling to do what one would like to do even though it would be a huge mistake to do so. Stories like that were clearly made possible by Sting's Catholic faith. Everyone should listen to this album. It is so romantic. Sting sang from the heart. It's obvious that he was in love during the making of this album.

Great CD.......2006-11-03

This is a great CD for Sting and Police fans. Highly recommended.

The Thomas Crown Affair: Music From The MGM Motion Picture

Average customer rating:

The Sinnerman or the whole affair?
Excellent CD representing most of the movie's music
Thomas Crown Affair Soundtract
Just as Smooth as the Movie
Thomas Crown Affair music from the movie

The Thomas Crown Affair: Music From The MGM Motion Picture
Sting , Nina Simone , Bill Conti , and Various Artists
Manufacturer: Ark 21
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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The Thomas Crown Affair
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ASIN: B00001OH1S
Release Date: 1999-09-07

Tracks:

Windmills Of Your Mind - Sting
Sinnerman - Nina Simone
Everything (...Is Never Quite Enough) - Wasis Diop
Caban La Ka Kratchie - Georges Fordant
Black & White X 5
Never Change
Meet Ms. Banning
Goodnight/Breaking & Entering
Glider Pt.1
Glider Pt.2
Cocktails
Quick Exit

Amazon.com

The Thomas Crown Affair is a caper story with a new (well, retread) twist: Pierce Brosnan plays a guy who can afford virtually anything, so he attempts to get something he can't, a Monet. It's a movie fitting of a polished, well-produced soundtrack, which is exactly what this disc delivers. Sting's previously unreleased version of the famous theme song "Windmills of Your Mind" lacks the suave psychedelic flair of Noel Harrison's original version (he won an Oscar for the song on the original Thomas Crown soundtrack), but should please his fans. Nina Simone's classic "Sinnerman" is a welcome contribution, and Wasis Diop's "Caban La Ka Kratchie" is a steamy world fusion tune. Bill Conti's score--varying from pulsating piano compositions to smooth jazz--rounds out the rest of this short soundtrack. For most, the real attraction here is the Sting cut. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

The Sinnerman or the whole affair?.......2007-05-20

I wanted to get The Thomas Crown Affair Soundtrack for one reason only: The Sinnerman by Nina Simone, because I was not able to find this particular version anywhere else. And yet this song...it is simply great. When I first heard it, I could feel shivers down my spine, and have felt the same ever since. But to be completely honest, I do like the rest of the CD. Unfortunately, there is not much left. The soundtrack is rather short (31' approximately), and...well...jazzy, which is not exactly my cup of tea, but still, it was worth getting it. It is a nice, relaxing listening. Apart from The Sinnerman, of course. That one makes me feel exhilirated and strong and...well, happy.

Excellent CD representing most of the movie's music.......2007-03-11

This is a great CD containing most of the melodies and songs from the movie except for the Latin dance during the black and white party. I especially enjoyed Sting's Windmills Of Your Mind which is not released on any other CD (I believe) and Nina Simone's "clapping" song. One of the rare soundtracks that has all great songs and melodies in one!

Thomas Crown Affair Soundtract.......2007-01-20

The CD was brand new, and I love the songs, it came in the mail extremley fast, even though it was a week before Christmas.

Just as Smooth as the Movie.......2006-09-25

This is a fantastic score and I highly recommend it. While Sting does not do the best ever recording of "Windmills of Your Mind," it's still very good, relaxing, and sets up the rest of the CD well.
Simone's "Sinnerman" is either something you do or do not like. Personally the vocals get to be repetitive and irritating after a while, but the piano and hand-clapping are definitely something to be heard, especially since they bring back the enjoyed memory of Brosnan and the other men clad in their "business suits and bowler cap" shuffle game for the film's final climax. I tend to skip the vocals, but still listen to the track.
"Everything is Never Quite Enough" is one of my favorite songs on this CD, even though there are so many different languages in the lyrics. The sounds and beat are incredible, stirring all the right emotions, while the lyrics are sultry and perfectly placed together. As said before, there are different languages sung in the song (the woman sings English, but the male sings French, his native African dialect, and some various others), but they all compliment each other and it is not at all annoying. It is excellent.
"Kaban a la Kratchie" is another track that you like or you don't...it depends on one's mood. Overall it is enjoyable and nostalgic of the Caribbean and the stunning photography of the scenes filmed in the tropics, but you need to be in a light-hearted mood and "enjoying the day" attitude to fully appreciate the song.
The rest of the songs are all Bill Conti's music and his score - no lyrics. The basic theme is reheard in the music, but the pace and background instruments are certainly different so you can listen to the entire CD without getting bored and can feel your pulse quicken with the music. The score certainly brings back the movie and the entire attitude of sophistication, intelligence, and smoothness. A great CD to listen to while driving, working, reading, basic background music, or for just plain listening to.
I highly recommend it and you will most certainly not have any buyer's remorse.

Thomas Crown Affair music from the movie.......2006-09-05

I found the music very uplifting and fun to listen to and it reminds me of the movie. I can listen during exercise and get my heart going for the day. The artists on the CD are great and I have searched for more CD's related.Sinnerman is one of my favorite songs/soundtrack.

Average customer rating:

first solo album of Gordon Matthew Sumner (STING)
First solo effort Awesome!
All star Band
Good Music!
Life Without the Police

The Dream of the Blue Turtles
Sting
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Nothing Like the Sun
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ASIN: B000002GFA
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

If You Love Somebody Set Them Free
Love Is The Seventh Wave
Russians
Children's Crusade
Shadows In The Rain
We Work The Black Seam
Consider Me Gone
The Dream Of The Blue Turtles
Moon Over Bourbon Street
Fortress Around Your Heart

Amazon.com essential recording

From one spin of The Dream of the Blue Turtles, Sting's first solo release, it's obvious that for him there would be life beyond the Police. Teamed with a band of top jazz players, he presents his musical visions that had gone unrealized while he was still constrained by his former ensemble. In style and subject matter, it's a decidedly diverse collection of songs and the playing is excellent throughout. The love songs are mostly focused on endings or escapes, and it's quite possible to interpret much of the imagery in reference to the bitter breakup of the Police. Sting's concern with history and politics is in evidence: he makes a father's plea for sanity and restraint in the nuclear age, takes up for the U.K.'s much-abused coal miners, and relates the savage stupidity of World War I to the destructive effects of adolescent heroin addiction. Songs that seem elaborately constructed and recorded contrast with others that are presented as one-take jams. Seen as a whole, The Dream of the Blue Turtles is eclectic, ambitious--sometimes pretentious--but altogether worth owning. --Al Massa

Customer Reviews:

first solo album of Gordon Matthew Sumner (STING).......2007-05-13

As His first solo work is just remarkably well done!!!!

First solo effort Awesome!.......2007-05-10

I liked him with The Police, but Sting got me forever with this music.

All star Band.......2007-03-14

This is a musician's Sting album. Actually, they all are, as Sting is quite a musician himself. This time, he surrounds himself with some world class jazz musicians, like Branford and Omar, and the results are occassionally stunning. Yes, there are some real classics on here, like set them free. However, the musical highlights come on tracks like Russians and shadows in the rain. Branford and Co. really cook on these tracks in a very modern, jazzy style. There is a bit of reverb on this album, which I think can take away from the live feel they were going for. As I say, all Sting albums are for musicians, but this one takes the cake over the rest. Adieu.

Good Music!.......2007-01-06

This was a re-purchase for me and this recording is just as good as I remembered it. Thanks.

Life Without the Police.......2006-12-28

I got this in LP form in 1985 for Christmas. In fact, five people gave me this album! That's okay, one for each personality, I guess. But y'know what, I kept them all. Four of the five are still in the original shrink wrap it was packaged in. People are telling me that I need to sell them on e-bay, but I can't...I just can't seem to do it. I know, intellectually, that nobody needs five copies of the same album...but emotionally, I feel like if I part with them to the "wrong" people, I'll be disgracing the Sting legacy.

Y'see, I love Sting. I loved him when he was with the Police and I loved him when he embarked on his solo career. This particular album, the Dream of the Blue Turtles is a masterpiece. Every time I hear it, I am just amazed at the depth and the power it has and it's quite minimalist. Maybe less really is more. Something I haven't learned yet, obviously, but that's okay, I'll get there one of these days.

My favorite song on the album used to be, "Love is the Seventh Wave". I don't particularly know why, it is a little "poppy" but it kind of reminds me of "Canary in a Coal Mine". That was a fantastic Police tune that hardly got any air play.

So yeah, this album is now almost 22 years old. My, how time flies...maybe one day I'll replace my vinyl version with the CD...or maybe I won't.

Peace and Blessings.

Average customer rating:

My Favorite
Soothing music
Better than what I was anticipating.
Is Sting worse than Billy Joel ?
Sting - BRAND NEW DAY (1999)

Brand New Day
Sting , and Cheb Mami
Manufacturer: Interscope Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984-1994
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ASIN: B00001QGQI
Release Date: 1999-09-28

Tracks:

A Thousand Years
Desert Rose
Big Lie, Small World
After The Rain Has Fallen
Perfect Love...Gone Wrong
Tomorrow We'll See
Prelude To The End Of The Game
Fill Her Up
Ghost Story
Brand New Day

Amazon.com essential recording

There is a difference between being an inspired musician and an informed musician. Sting is the latter. As always, he surrounds himself with ultratalented artists: this time around Stevie Wonder, Branford Marsalis, James Taylor, guitarist Dominic Miller, and the prince of rai Cheb Mami, fill the roster. Brand New Day exhibits about as many musical styles as there are tracks, all encased in dense, meticulous production. The album begins promisingly. "A Thousand Years" pulses atop a lush, two-note foundation. "A Desert Rose" folds trilling Algerian pop into trip-hop. Melodic, late-night jazz ballads dominate the middle portion of the collection. But Sting's preoccupation with odd-numbered time signatures prevents the songs from grooving, while the choruses are yawns. "Fill Her Up" (no, not "Fill 'Er Up"), a country tune, represents Sting at his most self-indulgent. Listening to one of the wealthiest musicians in pop singing "Got no money to invest / Got no prospect / Or education / I was lucky to get the job at this gas station" requires a heroic suspension of disbelief. The song morphs into this gospel number where Sting and a supporting chorus chant "You gotta fill 'er up with Jesus! / You gotta fill her up with life!" Who knew unleaded could be so rousing? --Beth Massa

Customer Reviews:

My Favorite.......2007-01-25

Being the Sting fan that I am. This has become my favorite Sting CD. Aa a matter of fact this is my second copy, I wore out the first one!
There is something on this CD for everyone, every mood and a great long drive CD.

Soothing music.......2007-01-16

How can you not like Sting? I happen to really like this CD. His selections of songs on this CD are great and wonderful to listen to.

Better than what I was anticipating........2006-08-30

However, rather bland sounding at best. I found "A Thousand Years" a rather good piece, "Desert Rose" was decent, but not all that great, the rest was all forgettable, and showed that this was just an excuse to put out an album to fufill a record contract. The album comes to a horrible end with the title track which paralyzed me in depression. I'm not sure wheter the single version, or the album version is worse, but to me I know that anyway you slice it it's just enough to make me cry. I know that pretty much Sting made the comment in 1988 that he didn't give a F**K about rock and roll, but in 1991 he comes back with a more pop sounding album, and it continues in 1993, and in 1996 he comes out with "Mercury Uprising", and it has a rock sound to it, but here he decides he's caught in a lie, and now decides to cover it up with numerous musical influences, and it doesn't wash.

Is Sting worse than Billy Joel ?.......2006-08-22

10 years ago I would have said " no it is impossible for anyone who has not actually committed a serious crime to be worse than Billy Joel". Today I know better. Sting has almost single handedly destroyed the ears and the soul of an entire generation of yuppies.

On the other hand Clapton probably stinks louder than even Sting.

Sting - BRAND NEW DAY (1999).......2006-07-12

Sting seemed to be on a roll in the early 90s, with his masterpiece THE SOUL CAGES and the outstanding TEN SUMMONER'S TALES. Unfortunately, his winning streak ended with 1996's MERCURY FALLING, a pretentious, unextraodinary addition to Sting's musical portfolio. In 1999, however, Sting made his comeback in a big way with BRAND NEW DAY. It was the ex-Police frontman's first venture into techno music, which he would continue to explore on his subsequent release, SACRED LOVE. Along with the exotic "Desert Rose", a surprise smash hit for the 50-something musician, there's a variety of delightful songs, including the hyptonic "A Thousand Years", the irresistible "After The Rain Has Fallen", and the mega-upbeat title tune. The album has a few oddities - "Tomorrow We'll See", about a transvestite hooker, redeemed by its shady bass line, and the cringeworthy, pretentious "Fill Her Up", undoubtedly the worst song of Sting's entire career - but for the most part, it's a delightful melding of jazz, alt rock and techno. Over thirty years after a band called The Police burst on to the music scene, Sting still rocks.

Average customer rating:

Hold on for some great ones
my youth's myth
MMMM Sting
...a rare perfect album...
Sting - TEN SUMMONER'S TALES (1993)

Ten Summoner's Tales
Sting
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Nothing Like the Sun
The Soul Cages
Brand New Day
The Dream of the Blue Turtles
Mercury Falling

ASIN: B000005IL1
Release Date: 1993-03-09

Tracks:

If I Ever Lose My Faith In You
Love Is Stronger Than Justice (The Munificent Seven)
Fields Of Gold
Heavy Cloud No Rain
She's Too Good For Me
Seven Days
Saint Augustine In Hell
It's Probably Me
Shape Of My Heart
Something The Boy Said
Epilogue (Nothing 'Bout Me)

Amazon.com

The former jazzman-turned-punk is now more middle-of-the-road than a yellow stripe. But Ten Summoner's Tales is by far the most engaging of his solo records. The singles "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" and "Fields of Gold" prove the man can lighten up long enough to go deep. "She's Too Good For Me" would have been a good Police single if it weren't for the pseudo-classical midsection that takes its joke far too seriously. Still, you wish he would loosen up and enjoy the rock once in a while. --Robert Wilonsky

Album Description

This DTS release of Sting's triple platinum Ten Summoner's Tales superbly remixed into 5.1 Digital Surround to enrich its already passionate and densely refined delivery. Enjoy 'If I Ever Lose My Faith In You' and 'Fields Of Gold' and other hits for this masterpiece as never before. Packaged in a DTS jewel box.

Album Details

Europena Version featuring a Bonus Track: Everybody Laughed but You

Customer Reviews:

Hold on for some great ones.......2007-05-29

Sting's album ten summoners tale's hits some high notes....quite literally.
It includes the super hit Fields of Gold which is a timeless beautiful song, and the uplifting If I ever loose my faith in you- which is quite fun to listen to. It also includes the slow dramatic shape of my heart.
Shape of my heart's music has since been borrowed by both Monica and Craig David.
The CD has a lot of flow, and versatillity and prooves why even though we can't have the Police anymore, why we're glad Sting is a solo act. He can carry the show on his own as he prooves his with his deep mellow voice, and interesting ground breaking sounds.

my youth's myth.......2007-05-13

great sound with THE POLICE, grew up professionally and got better as a SOLO ARTIST.

MMMM Sting.......2007-01-10

I don't think he can come out with a bad CD. He makes me smile with some of his songs, cry with others and get the chills at his uncanny talent.
It is always different in style, but I always get the best out of them.
He is truely an ICON.

...a rare perfect album..........2006-10-24

i won't dignify this album with a review, or analysis, because, it simply doesn't need, or deserve one...

all that needs to be said is...this is one of those rare perfect albums that, every once in a harvest, comes together as one from beginning to end...

my only regret...'fields of gold' should never have been a hit single...don't get me wrong...it's a great song...but, it's just a part of the entire piece, that shouldn't be disected for the masses...

it's intelligent, it's brilliant, it's...well, it's just the way it 'all' is...

Sting - TEN SUMMONER'S TALES (1993).......2006-07-24

Having vented his sorrow over his father's death through THE SOUL CAGES, Sting returned more upbeat and playful than ever on 1993's TEN SUMMONER'S TALES. Widely regarded as Sting's best album, TEN SUMMONER'S TALES - the title being a pun on Sting's surname - is a collection of ten songs, each telling a story, as well as a prologue ("If I Ever Lose My Faith In You") and an epilogue ("Nothing 'Bout Me"). This was destroyed on the US and Canadian releases, as the "Prologue" was dropped from the title of "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" and one of the album's finest songs, "Everybody Laughed But You", was inexplicably omitted. Sting has never been better either lyrically or musically; these songs are at once funny and very powerful. "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" and the beautiful "Fields Of Gold" are the album's classic songs, but every song is wonderful, particularly "Seven Days", "Something The Boy Said" (which would have made a fine Police song), "Shape Of My Heart" (featured in the end credits of Luc Besson's LEON), "Saint Augustine In Hell" and the highly amusing "Heavy Cloud No Rain". Though it still can't surpass its predecessor, THE SOUL CAGES, TEN SUMMONER'S TALES ranks directly behind it on the list of Sting's finest solo work.

Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys

Average customer rating:

Fun--but not great
aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Disappointment would be an understatement
Zzz...
another set of hopes are smashed

Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Anti
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Classic Maritime Music from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
The Harry Smith Project: The Anthology Of American Folk Music Revisited (2 CD/2 DVD BOX SET)
American Sea Shanties and Songs
Orphans [Fold-out Digipak with 24-page booklet]
Shanties & Songs of the Sea

ASIN: B000GGSMD0
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Tracks:

Cape Cod Girls - Baby Gramps
Mingulay Boat Song - Richard Thompson
My Son John - John C. Reilly
Fire Down Below - Nick Cave
Turkish Revelry - Loudon Wainwright III
Bully In The Alley - The Old Prunes
The Cruel Ship's Captain - Bryan Ferry
Dead Horse - Robin Holcomb
Spansih Ladies - Bill Frisell
High Barbary - Joseph Arthur
Haul Away Joe - Mark Anthony Thompson
Dan Dan - David Thomas
Blood Red Roses - Sting
Sally Brown - Teddy Thompson
Lowlands Away - Rufus Wainwright & Kate McGarrigle
Baltimore Whores - Gavin Friday
Rolling Sea - Eliza McCarthy
Haul On The Bowline - Bob Neuwirth
Dying Sailor to His Shipmates - Bono
Bonnie Portmore - Lucinda Williams
The Mermaid - Martin Carthy & the UK Group
Shenandoah - Richard Greene & Jack Shit
The Cry Of Man - Mary Margaret O'Hara

Tracks:

Boney - Jack Shit
Good Ship Venus - Loudon Wainwright III
Long Time Ago -White Magic
Pinery Boy - Nick Cave
Lowlands Low - Bryan Ferry w/Antony
One Spring Morning - Akron/Family
Hog Eye Man - Martin Carthy & Family
The Fiddler/A Drop Of Nelson's Blood - Ricky Jay & Richard Greene
Caroline and Her Young Sailor Bold - Andrea Corr
Fathom The Bowl - John C. Reilly
Drunken Sailor - Dave Thomas
Farewell Nancy - Ed Harcourt
Hanging Johnny - Stan Ridgway
Old Man of The Sea - Baby Gramps
Greenland Whale Fisheries - Van Dyke Parks
Shallow Brown - Sting
The Grey Funnel Line - Jolie Holland
A Drop of Nelson's Blood - Jarvis Cocker
Leave Her Johnny - Lou Reed
Little Boy Billy - Ralph Steadman

Amazon.com

Johnny Depp and director Gore Verbinski hatched the idea for Rogue's Gallery while filming "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"--that idea being to cast genteel rock superstars like Bono, Lou Reed, Bryan Ferry, Andre Corr, and Sting to reinterpret gritty seafaring standards for an exhaustive 43-track double-disc set produced by Hal Wilner. Throw in a bunch of credible folk stars (Loudon Wainwright III, Richard Thompson), their offspring (Rufus, Teddy) and a string of other curious characters (Jarvis Cocker, Antony) and what results is one of the strangest compilations in recent memory, if not exactly the most historically authentic or, well, digestible. Nick Cave embraces the role just a little too hard on "Fire Down Below," while Ferry can't help but sound like he's singing for the cast of "The Love Boat," but cut through the chaff and there is some real bootie here: Bono's "Dying Sailor to His Shipmates," Jolie Holland's "The Grey Funnel Line" and "Boney" by a mysterious tramp called Jack Sh**, which must be some kind of anagram for Johnny Depp. --Aidin Vaziri

Album Description

While working on the two "Pirates Of The Carribean" films, Johnny Depp and director Gore Verbinski became fascinated with the lore and fable of the pirates and sailors who ran the high seas. Enter legendary producer Hal Wilner, who brings his knack for matching maverick musicians with extraordinary material. Artists on this double disc set include Bono, Sting, Nick Cave, Bryan Ferry, Lou Reed, Richard Thompson, Lucinda Williams, Jarvis Cocker of Pulp, and many more. "Rogue's Gallery" offers a look at the hardships, the horrors, the lusts and lurid depths, and the crystal beauty that led men to the sea in ships for hundreds of years.

Customer Reviews:

Fun--but not great.......2007-07-03

What a concept--a pirate song co-produced by Verbinski and Depp inspired by the "Pirates of the Carribean" series. It should be great and in places, it is. The big question I came away with is--who is Jack Sh**? That one definitely has me guessing.

I won't belabor the song content or the production value. I think the most notable reviews have got that down pat, although I'm not marking down as far as they have because I'm giving points for originality being a fan of Spike Jones and some other truly demented people.

One thing to note: this is not a CD you'd buy if you were looking for something to amuse your kids. Some of the content is very bawdy and Mom and Dad would have some serious 'splaining to do to the little pirates. There's both some language and some situations that are more twisted than a Hangman's knot.

aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhhhh!.......2007-06-09

Some of the songs are quite good(mellow)others a little odd. Its what I expected, but not what you would expect.

Disappointment would be an understatement.......2007-06-04

It is not unusual to find sea shanties performed by not the greatest musicians or singers in the world. It is not unusual to find shanties sung by people who have difficulty keeping perfect pitch, or tempo. But at least they understand what the music is about, and sing it with heart and enthusiasm and a love for the genre.

Hal Wilner should stick to whatever genre it is that made him know enough to be approached by labels, because he clearly has no understanding, and less enthusiasm for *this* genre.

If you love lively music from the maritime era, you can only be bitterly disappointed by this collection. Out of 43 tracks, I found 15 that were salvageable. Sort of.

I've already tossed this onto the pile to go to the resale shop. It wasn't worthy the cost of shipping.

Zzz..........2007-04-04

I have to admit that I have no idea what kinds of music the pirates sang aboard their ships. I know it probably wasn't "yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me," but I expected something different than this. I think my expectations have been colored by groups like The Pogues, Flogging Molly, The Tossers, and the Real McKenzies. I have an annual Pirate Party and I was hoping to find some good music here to get people in the mood for a treasure hunt or pirate liar's dice, but instead, the music on this CD is something I'd put on if the party went on too long and I wanted to encourage people to leave. Some of it is actually awful and the rest is too slow and plodding to inject much energy into any situation.

I appreciate what was attempted here (contemporary artists paying homage to sea chanteys in the spirit of our romanticized version of the pirate era) but it just doesn't really work. The effect is similar to what would be achieved if the London Philharmonic Orchestra attempted to play rap "music" with Luciano Pavarotti rhymin' while flashing gang signs.

another set of hopes are smashed.......2007-03-29

the selection of titles attracted me. The quality of the arrangements, the voices, and the music---are all quite bad.

It is VERY sad that these same titles, could not have been produced for quality. They sound like a nightmare.

Average customer rating:

Definate Must Have
I'm Stung by Sting
Nothing Like Sting
Sting at his best
Sting - ... NOTHING LIKE THE SUN (1987)

Nothing Like the Sun
Sting
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Dream of the Blue Turtles
The Soul Cages
Ten Summoner's Tales
Brand New Day
Mercury Falling

ASIN: B000002GKZ
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

The Lazarus Heart
Be Still My Beating Heart
Englishman In New York
History Will Teach Us Nothing
They Dance Alone (Cueca Solo)
Fragile
We'll Be Together
Straight To My Heart
Rock Steady
Sister Moon
Little Wing
The Secret Marriage

Amazon.com essential recording

Sting's second and most conceptually dense solo album moved on from jazz to ideas picked up from Latin music. Even when he's not using Latin music's tricky polyrhythms, the melodies of the ballad "Be Still My Beating Heart" and the hit dance single "We'll Be Together" suggest he'd been listening to lots of salsa. If you can sting, you can cross-pollinate, too, and there are some other subtle hybrids here, notably the Gil Evans Orchestra's gliding arrangement of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing" and the reggae-in-a-Cole Porter suit of "Englishman in New York." Of course, the former schoolteacher has some lyrical messages to deliver and the three songs that originally made up the second side of a double LP are a bitter meditation on Latin American politics and history. --Douglas Wolk

Customer Reviews:

Definate Must Have.......2007-03-19

My favorite songs on this cd are 'Little Wing', 'Be Still My Beating Heart', and 'Sister Moon'. The Spanish version of this cd (Nada Como el Sol) contains 'Mariposa Libre' which he does a beautiful job on, his accent is great. These cd's are definately worth paying full price for, you won't be sorry.

I'm Stung by Sting.......2007-01-02

Not too long ago, I reviewed Sting's debut album, Dream of the Blue Turtles, as much as I love that recording, this album is where Sting truly shines as an artist.

I have a few favorites on this CD, Englishman In New York...always reminds me of my grandfather for some reason, The Lazarus Heart, and a knock out version of Jimi Hendrix's, Little Wing. Even though I am a huge fan of Hendrix, I really love this version of this song. The whole album was very thoughtfully constructed and emotionally created. Although I do not know Sting personally, I get this feeling that he's pretty down to earth. Whenever I listen to him, I feel a little more grounded, a little more in touch with my own creativity, and a little more centered and better able to deal with my fellow human. I don't fully know why this is, I haven't fully analyzed the whole thing, I just feel more gracious to the human species after listening to Sting. Of course, I could quickly put on Marilyn Manson and lose the feeling, but I think I'll stick with Sting.

For the longest time I had a poster sized version of the cover art for this album hanging up on my wall. I recently retired it to the garage. I guess it's not too "cool" to post your influences up on the wall when you're 41. At least, that's what my wife thinks. She has a vested interest in my "coolness" because if I'm a dork, she's an even bigger dork because she married me. But sometimes I go out to that lonely old garage where I have my records and my old turntable and my old furniture from my bachelor days...hey, I just noticed something...all of MY STUFF IS IN THE GARAGE...what the hell is that about...oh, well...but I go in that garage and I listen to my Miles Davis, my Stan Getz, my Sting and I just allow myself to put things in perspective. I don't get over analytical and I don't get too sentimental, I just find a way to integrate the two like yin and yang. I feel Sting does the same on this album. This, his second recording after the Police, is slowly moving away from the poppiness of his former band, and into the visionary dreaminess that would trademark much of his work.

I love this recording and I know you will, too, but then again, what do I know? I'm just the grandson of an Englishman in San Dimas.

Peace & Blessings,
john 'the Light Coach'

Nothing Like Sting.......2006-08-17

By far one of his best (if not his BEST) album. Featuring hit songs like `They Dance Alone', `Englishman in New York', `Be Still My Beating Heart', and (my personal favorite) `Sister Moon'. Sting's creative genius shines through this album, no two tracks have the same melody, tempo, or meaning- every single one is unique. Ranging in songs from the optimistic, jazz-like, `Englishman in New York' to the soft ballad `The Secret Marriage', Sting touches on themes of love, happiness, conformity, war, peace, success, and failure. Added to the lyrics is a description that explains why each song was written and how the melody and words were engendered. This is a must have album for fans everywhere and a great addition to any music collection.

Sting at his best.......2006-07-23

This is by far the best solo album of Sting. From the very first time I heard it I was 100% sure that it would be impossible for him to make a better album. Another reason why I particularly like this album is because I used to listend to it when I was in Kenya.
The variety of the music stles in this album is amazing and whatever style Sting experiments with he excels. In the plus of the album is that it has the lyrics.
16 years later all the songs still sound great and especially the song Fragile is as timely as ever.
Buy this cd, sit back, and enjoy great music

Sting - ... NOTHING LIKE THE SUN (1987).......2006-06-20

While THE DREAM OF THE BLUE TURTLES proved that Sting had solo potential, it was the subsequent album, ... NOTHING LIKE THE SUN, that proved that the ex-Police frontman was here to stay. A big part of what makes the album so great is that, unlike on BLUE TURTLES, Sting isn't trying so hard; he just lets the music flow. The result is a pop masterpiece far different from the other pop albums of the time. The songs are more layered than those on BLUE TURTLES, and also considerably more moody. Branford Marsalis' saxophone really shines, particularly on the delightful opener "The Lazarus Heart", just one of many great songs on the album - "Be Still My Beating Heart", the classic "Englishman In New York", the beautiful "They Dance Alone (Cueca Solo)", and "Straight To My Heart" are some others. Also wonderful is an amped-up, jazzed-out remake of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing", on which Sting is accompanied by Gil Evans and his orchestra. Considered by many to be Sting's best solo effort, ... NOTHING LIKE THE SUN is an intelligent pop masterpiece that ranks among the best and most important albums of the 1980s.

The Journey & The Labyrinth: The Music of John Dowland (DVD & CD)

Average customer rating:

Surprisingly enjoyable....
The Journey & The Labyrinth
To buy or not to buy, that is the question
Enchanting, visually stunning
The Journey & The Labyrinth: ---A real Journey

The Journey & The Labyrinth: The Music of John Dowland (DVD & CD)

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Songs from the Labyrinth (Music by John Dowland)
In Perugia
My Funny Valentine: Sting at the Movies
The Police - Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out
Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984-1994

ASIN: B000MGBTHA
Release Date: 2007-02-13

Tracks:

Flow My Tears (Lachrimae)
The Lowest Trees Have Tops
Fantasy
Come Again
Have You Seen The Bright Lilly Grow
In Darkness Let Me Dwell
Hell Hound On My Trail
Message In A Bottle

Tracks:

'Come Again'
Project Origin
'Can She Excuse My Wrongs'
The Lute And The Labyrinth
'The Lowest Trees Have Tops'
'Flow My Tears'
Dowland's Exile
'Clear Or Cloudy'
Political Intrigue
'Have You Seen The Bright Lily Grow'
'Weep You No More Sad Foutain'
'Le Rossignol'
Religion
Sting And The Lute
'Come, Heavy Sleep'
'In Darkness Let Me dwell'
Choir Rehersal
'Fine Knacks For Ladies'
'Can She Excuse My Wrongs'

Amazon.com

Recorded at St. Luke's Cathedral in London, The Journey and the Labyrinth continues Sting and lute player Edin Karamazov's exploration of the music of John Dowland. The bulk of this material first appeared on 2006's Songs from the Labyrinth. Performed live and placed in a setting concurrent with the life of the 16th-century composer, the songs feel tied to their origins in profound ways. The grand room's ambiance is made apparent with the reverberating applause at the close of each selection. The closing two numbers show how this 400-year-old music has aspects very much in sync with relatively contemporary works. Both Robert Johnson's "Hellhound on My Trail" and Sting's own Police hit "Message in a Bottle" utilize crisply delineated melodies and spare but robust accompaniment. A DVD is included in the set, as well. Elegantly produced, it not only offers the live performance featured on the CD, but also provides Sting's own thoughtfully articulated connections to this still vibrantly romantic music. --David Greenberger

Album Description

On the heels of his acclaimed recording, Songs from the Labyrinth, Sting furthers his fascination with Elizabethan composer John Dowland (1563-1626) on The Journey and the Labyrinth: The Music of John Dowland. This new DVD/CD package includes an extended version of Sting's first-ever PBS special from Thirteen/WNET New York's Great Performances (airing February 26th, 2007), as well as a live bonus audio CD.

Sting recently released the striking CD Songs from the Labyrinth, which introduced audiences to his passion for Dowland. With an astounding thirteen weeks and counting as Billboard's #1 Traditional Classical album, the record, called "vivid and romantic" by the Wall Street Journal, has resonated with Sting and Dowland aficionados alike. The album also captured the top spot on the classical charts not only in the U.S. but also in England, Canada, France and Germany.

The Journey and the Labyrinth: The Music of John Dowland, directed and produced by the Emmy-award winning team Jim Gable and Ann Kim of Graying & Balding, Inc., delves deeper into Sting's relationship with the sixteenth-century figure, who has captivated generations with his songs composed primarily for lute, which Sting tackles along with esteemed lutenist Edin Karamazov. Filmed appropriately at Lake House, Sting's 16-century manor house in Wiltshire, and in the ancient gardens of Il Palagio, his home in Italy, the DVD also features the performers before a live audience at St. Luke's Church in London.

Interspersed between performances of such timeless Dowland songs such as "Can She Excuse My Wrongs," "Come Again," and "Flow My Tears," are discussions with musicologists David Pinto and Anthony Rooley of the composer's place in music history and his relevance today, plus recitations by Sting from Dowland's personal correspondence.

In a rare live appearance performing Dowland's music, Sting and Karamazov's concert at St. Luke's Church in London was also captured as a live audio recording and serves as the bonus CD included in the package. Featuring selections from Labyrinth, the CD also contains the consummate hit "Message in a Bottle" arranged for lute, as well as a rendition of the Robert Johnson blues classic, "Hell Hound."

More Sting

Fields of Gold

The Dream of the Blue Turtles

Songs from the Labyrinth

Customer Reviews:

Surprisingly enjoyable...........2007-05-21

I have been a Sting/Police fan since my youth, and I have to admit - I was very skeptical when I first heard about this latest venture from Sting. After hearing some of the tracks, the disc began to grow on me. The DVD is the highlight here. Beautifully photographed, and intelligently produced. The performances in and around Sting's Tuscan villa are breathtaking. The live performances are nice as well. Very little was known about this John Dowland man, but he seems to have been quite the character. I'm glad I added this to my collection.

The Journey & The Labyrinth.......2007-05-13

The album was just fantastic! Very different from Sting's usual music. He should do more of it.

To buy or not to buy, that is the question.......2007-04-24

When I was younger, I went on a wine-appreciation course. The first thing I was told was: "Don't let snobs dictate your taste to you: if you like chilled red wine with fish, *drink* chilled red wine with fish!"

Over the years, I have found this to be good advice, and not just about wine.

70 years ago, Andrés Segovia played the Bach Chaconne for the first time in Paris. He said "I could measure my success by the rage of the violinists." But the guitarists didn't care. Nowadays Bach on the guitar is commonplace.

50 years ago, lutenists criticised Julian Bream for playing their instrument like a guitar. He said "It's my job to blow the dust off these things."

It always miffs insiders when an outsider comes along and brings their speciality to a new audience, even though they may publicly applaud him for doing so: it will be a lucky outsider who doesn't get stick for not doing things the "correct" way.

So the Amazon (and other) reviewers of "Songs from the Labyrinth" fall (for the most part) into two camps: Early Music buffs, and Sting fans. As I joined the Lute Society in 1973, and reviewed Early Music for several years, I suppose I must be considered to fall more into the former category than the latter.

But, it seems to me that all the discussion of "authenticity", impassioned and learnèd though it may be, is irrelevant. The only important questions are: Has the performer made a serious attempt to understand what's going on in the music? and Does he bring something fresh to it?

In Sting's case, the answer is clearly Yes to both. And that said, the only other thing of importance is whether you like the result.

I do like it, and I'm glad to see I'm not alone, even among us old fogeys. And with music samples and now video samples available on-line, you don't have to play guessing games to know whether you will too.

The DVD
======

Over and above the value of the music, the DVD is very well put together. There are songs, lute music, anecdotes and historical discussions, all skilfully and entertainly intercut, and each complete in itself but not so long that the attention of the newcomer will start to wander. You can see Edin trying not to laugh when Tony Rooley and David Pinto almost get into an argument. And the whole thing is visually gorgeous. My favourite bit is where Sting fissions into four and sings a quartet with himself, sitting around a table.

By the way, there are a couple of "in" jokes that may go over the heads of those new to this music:

Sting ribs Edin about giving him the hard part in the anonymous lute duet "Le Rossignol"; in fact, the two parts are virtually identical, one being an echo of the other, merely four bars "out of phase".

More subtle is the somewhat unexpected appearance of "Hellhound on my Trail", which is of course by the noted blues singer Robert Johnson murdered in 1938 (but somehow copyright 1990, it says here). Another Robert Johnson, also a lutenist (and son of that John Johnson whose vacated position Dowland failed to secure at the court of Elizabeth I), was one of Dowland's colleagues at the court of James I. He was the composer of "Have You Seen the Bright Lily Grow", so the DVD contains works by two different Robert Johnsons.

Lutenists will be interested to note that Edin Karamazov plays (right hand) thumb under, although Dowland himself switched in mid-life from thumb-under to thumb-over -- presumably for what seemed to him to be good reasons. He is clearly a fine player with a great deal of facility, but I feel obliged to say that his Dowland Fantasy (P. 6, for those that are interested) seems to me a bit of a mess. Don't take my word for it; you already know Anthony Rooley, and his version is on Renaissance Fantasias. It's also on disc 8 of his mammoth 12-disc set, with his wife (the famous singer Emma Kirkby) and The Consort of Musicke: Dowland -- The Collected Works. Here are some more versions for comparison:

Christopher Wilson: Rosa
Julian Bream: Lute Music from the Royal Courts of Europe
Jakob Lindberg: Dowland -- Complete Solo Lute Music

Where to go from here
================

The person who spearheaded the revival of interest in Dowland, and the lute in general, was Julian Bream. No one ever breathed more life into this music, and if you're new to the lute, you can't go wrong with his recordings, many of which are still available.

On the other hand, if Sting is your thing, Bream's Dowland songs with Sir Peter Pears are unlikely to be. Nevertheless, you can hear them on Heavenly Love, Earthly Joy.

Of Bream's successors, one of his personal favourites certainly seems to be Nigel North: you can read Sir Julian's glowing tribute on Nigel's website. Only two volumes of Dowland's music by Nigel have so far appeared, though: (Vol. 1) & (Vol. 2).

The complete lute music is available from Jakob Lindberg (mentioned above) and from Paul O'Dette (Complete Lute Works -- also as individual discs), two of my personal favourite players. If you liked "Le Rossignol", you will certainly enjoy them together on English Lute Duets.

The acknowledged authority on Dowland in her day was the late Diana Poulton. She is the author of the standard biography (Faber & Faber, ISBN 0-520-04687-0), and also editor of the Collected Lute Music (Faber Music, ISBN 0-571-10024-4).

The Lute
======

Lute sales have quadrupled, says the Lute Society. If you're thinking "well, I can play the guitar: how hard can the lute be?", think again. By all means take it up, but it's a *very* different instrument!

The British and American Lute Societies can both be found on line.

And now my 1,000 words are up. Good hunting!

Enchanting, visually stunning.......2007-04-18

It seems at first like Sting really stretched on this one, but if you're a dedicated fan, you'll see that his career has been leading here all along. Think of "St. Agnes and the Burning Train" on his "Soul Cages" CD. The four-hundred-year-old music of John Dowland is haunting, and Sting brings it to vibrant life with reverence and enthusiasm. Listen, and you'll be drawn into an older world that at times feels surprisingly familiar, a world of love with all it's faces, melencholy, religious persecution, and career ambition. The DVD was filmed at Sting's personal residences, and if you love atmosphere, it's all here. I recommend the DVD over the CD alone, because the images of Sting singing in those beautiful surroundings help overcome the cultural difference for those who have never heard music like this before. Also, you'll get to hear "Message in a bottle," arranged for the lute on this one, recorded on the companion CD.

The Journey & The Labyrinth: ---A real Journey.......2007-04-10

this was an awesome work. The music was great, and the documentary...really interesting.

if you love music or you are an artist, this is inspirational and entertaining.

this project was a wonderful surprise!!

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