posted
After I heard the singles from his last album, Sacred Love, I didn't think there was anything Sting could do to make me less likely to buy his next album. Once again, I've been proven wrong.
Sting's new album came out last week, and it's a doosey. I guess he couldn't find anyone to donate any more screechy, faux-world music wailings he could sample this time, so instead he put out an entire disc of renaissance lute music.
Now don't get me wrong, I like John Dowland. I've got some of his stuff, performed by classically trained musicians, and it's quite nice. But this is Sting we're talking about. You know, the guy that made "Roxanne" and "If You Love Someone, Set Them Free". This is the guy that's trying his hand at early 17th century chamber music.
And in case you're prepared to give Sting the benefit of the doubt, or you think it can't possibly be as bad as it sounds, have a listen. Or go to iTunes, if that's your poison. Click on any of the speaker icons next to the track names to hear a 30 second sample. Make sure you check out "Fine Knacks for Ladies" to hear some all-Sting overdubbed four-part harmonies. And in case you think you've reached the limits of how pretentious he can be, check out "Ryght Honorable..."
Synchronicity was the first album I ever owned when I was 8 years old, and Sting remained one of my favorite musicians clear through my early college years. But when he lost it, he lost it big. I remember the day I saw him sell out. It was when he did a song with Brian Adams and Rod Stewart for that Three Musketeers movie. When I saw the video for that, I felt a great disturbance in the force. And true to the omen, he's never been the same since. Still, every time I think I can't lose any more respect for one of my former idols, he manages to dig a little deeper. He must be getting pointers from the Republicans.
Posts: 563 | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
I saw/heard Sting doing a lute version of Fields of Gold on Studio 60 last night. It was pretty freaking excellent.
Posts: 12266 | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
He's been doing that guitar/lute thing with Fields of Gold for a while, and I have to admit that I do like the song, but otherwise I kind of concur with Baron about Sting. Synchronicity is probably one of the best rock albums ever, and Sting's first two or three cds were excellent, but then he just started wallowing in schmalz and the fire just died.
(Not that I agree with the article about when the fire died, of couse. )
*sings*
Oh, the telephone is ringing Is that my mother on the phone? Oh, the telephone is ringing Won't she leave me alone?
Posts: 13123 | Registered: Feb 2002
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We love Sting at our house but I haven't heard his newest. You've kind of made me afraid to even give it a shot.
Posts: 697 | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
Sting is one of my favorite artists, too. I usually don't follow any of the celebrity hoopla and entertainment news, so I haven't heard anything about him in a long time. In fact, I think I saw a 60 minutes story, about a year ago, featuring Sting.
Posts: 1813 | Registered: Apr 2001
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posted
Oh come on -- I heard a bit of the new CD on NPR. It's not that bad.
Although, the snippet of My Lord Willoughby's Welcome Home at the end of the segment was a wee bit disturbing . . .
Overall, it was intriguing. And who knows -- it might just be what gets some heretofore scorner of 17th c. chamber music interested in the "real" stuff. Neh?
Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
I heard excerpts of the Labyrinth album on the radio, along with an interview. While I enjoyed the lutenist, I really disliked the vocals. The voice was not a good match for the style. Kind of like Bob Dylan singing Verdi.
Posts: 10397 | Registered: Jun 2005
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to even give it a shot.
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