Soul Cages Review

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Soul Cages ReviewStarting this review, I intended it to be an ode to my most cherished CD. Instead, I simply cannot find the words. The rich tapestry of music and lyrics that enfold the listener defy description. Words that other reviewers have used, like "hypnotic," "poetic," and "beautiful" are right on target. This album takes you along on the artist's introspective tour of grief, love, and missed opportunities, and leaves you with a sense of peace and - if not understanding - at least contentment resulting from having the courage to undertake the journey in the first place.
You'll find everything here, from the sweeping "Island of Souls," "Wild, Wild Sea," and "When the Angels Fall;" to the heart-breaking "Why Should I Cry For You?;" the catchy "All This Time" and the harder, pop-ish "Soul Cages;" the elegantly simple acoustic guitar of "St. Agnes and the Burning Train" and the jazzy "Jeremiah's Blues, Pt. 1;" and the stunning depth of lyrics and imagery of "Mad About You."
Evidenced by my above descriptions, the music style swings from the sounds of Northumbrian pipes reminescent of the sea, to ensemble jazz, to solo acoustic guitar, to lush string arrangements. There's really something here for every music fan, but that fan has to be prepared for the overall somber tone of the album. This is my favorite album to listen to after the end of a hectic day, as it ultimately leaves you with a sense of peace. For sheer musicianship and sonic quality, this album deserves at least a listen. For the depth of involvement the music inspires in the listener, this album deserves a permanent place in any collection.Soul Cages OverviewSealed original longbox

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Nothing Like the Sun Review

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Nothing Like the Sun ReviewThis, the follow-up to "Dream Of The Blue Turtles" was Sting's REAL debut LP, or at least, where he finally arrived at true artistic brilliance.
His pop sensibilities are still present, here... check out 'Englishman In New York' and 'We'll Be Together' for evidence, but added to all this is a bit of picked guitar ("Fragile"), some jazzy polyrhythms ("They Dance Alone"), and a great cover of Jimi Hendrix' "Little Wing".
It's as essential an 80s document as Peter Gabriel's "So" album was, and still holds up, even nearly 20 years later.Nothing Like the Sun Overview

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Message in a Box Review

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Message in a Box ReviewThe Police were the closest thing the late 70s/early 80s had to the Beatles: smart songs with pop hooks and commercial appeal and plenty of juicy licks by great instrumentalists. And they were photogenic. A little something for everyone. And by and large, all of their music is worth hearing. Unlike Led Zeppelin, whose great box set is a little all over the place, the Police were smart enough to keep it more or less in chronological order. It works especially well for them since their albums have distinct feels to them. And there are a bunch of tasty treats to boot, such as the spooky "I Burn for You." People who think of Sting as a pompous blowhard should listen to tracks like "Demolition Man" or "Canary in a Coalmine" and realize that there was a time when his priority was rocking out, not yoga or 7/8 time signatures. At the same time, the band had an extraordinary sense of space and never felt the need to fill every possible bar with their prodigious instrumental abilities. See "Walking on the Moon" or "Voices inside my Head" for examples. And Stewart Copeland is one of rock's all-time premier drummers. His crisp, fluent attack brings the music to an exaltant level, a level which is rarely reached in Sting's often pretentiously self-aware solo work.Message in a Box OverviewThe definitive 4-disc collection of Police recordings from 1978 to 1983 including Every Breath You Take; Roxanne; Wrapped Around Your Finger; Murder By Numbers; King of Pain; I Burn for You; Invisible Sun; Driven to Tears (live), and more. 78 tracks total.

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Ten Summoner's Tales (Jewel Box) Review

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Ten Summoner's Tales (Jewel Box) ReviewThose who didn't understand Sting's departure from the Police may finally get it when they listen to this album. Ten Summoner's Tales is an amazing compilation of 11 songs that really push boundaries with his musicianship while staying true to his excellent songwriting. The songs included on this album are both immerse and expansive, serious and funny and packed with melodies. While its message isn't as deep as his past albums, it shines in its authenticity, surely the best material he's ever played.
To draw you in the first song is the well-known pop song, "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You." It has an addictive groove and multiple layers of sounds and melodies. In that same vein is the other guaranteed hit, "Fields of Gold." Surely this song, in its somber mood and loving lyrics is more than just a pop song but a recalled memory of love. Something even the music video hit dead-on.
If you were scared of Sting's poly-rhythms in his other albums, you'll be terrified of this album. And too bad, some of Sting's best work is with the following three songs. He uses 7/4 scale before going into cowboy bebop in "Love is Stronger than Justice (The Munificent Seven)." The storytelling here is a simple but amusing story of seven desperados as they rescue a town and fight each other for the girl. 5/2 scale is heard in "Seven Days." The musicianship is worth high praise as mandolin and violins texture this song in its weird rhythm, making the 5 beats sound normal after the first chorus. Saint Augustine in Hell is the last of poly-beats, taking a 7/4 beat again. This song is a bit awkward, but a humorous romp with its tale of one guy's descent to Hell.
Sting's sense of storytelling is exercised in songs like "Love is Stronger..." and "Heavy Cloud, No Rain" where a warning tone rings over the stories of praying in vain for rain and suffering the consequences. To accompany this, the music is playful and upbeat, adding some irony to the stories. Also in a strong sense of storytelling is "Something the Boy Said" which tells the tale of shipfairers (a favorite subject of Sting's) and their upcoming doom in the high seas. Again, the music carries its subject flawlessly and is beautiful in composition.
To give credit to the other writers on this album, Dominic Miller's "Shape of My Heart" and Clapton's and Michael Kamen's "It's Probably Me" are excellent compositions in their own right. "Shape of My Heart" is a strumming tune and rivals that of "Fragile" (from Sting's previous album, Nothing Like the Sun). It's lyrics, again, are of a story of a gambler while its music is serious and fits excellently with Sting's vocal. "It's Probably Me" is totally panoramic, capturing its listener in a sea of music, of sorts, as it takes you through its love-song context.
To end the album, "Epilogue (Nothing `Bout Me)" is another silly romp, probably talking back to the media that surrounds him. He continually denies ever spilling his guts, no matter how much you search. Again, it's silly but it's also nice epilogue and come on... that ending rips directly from "A Day in the Life" from the Beatles with its instruments winding up scales in the end.
This album feels like a whole composition while the songs themselves are a greatest hits collection. Sting's mastery of musicianship and ironic, direct lyrics can not be denied as he safely takes tastes of all sorts and blends them into his romantic and freshly synthesized songs. This album is the pinnacle of Sting's work, not going too deep or too somber in message and being as high in his own standard as he'll ever get.Ten Summoner's Tales (Jewel Box) OverviewJapanese only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD - playable on all CD players) pressing. Universal. 2008.

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Summer Review

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Summer ReviewI saw the cover, read the sticker reading that it was a UK crossover debut and "an exquisite mix of classical, world, and pop music." Hmmm, another Sarah Brightman, perhaps? Upon further noticing her as the Norah Jones of 2003 and her covering a Sting song, I figured, get it. And am I glad I did! What a voice, belonging more to the old school!
Many songs are familiar here because I've heard others do them, such as "Nella Fantasia", which Sarah Brightman did on Eden. The first verse is something I dream of: "In my fantasy I imagine a world of justice/where everyone lives in peace and honesty/I dream of a place to live that is always free/Free as the clouds in the sky/Full of deep humanity."
Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo's original title was "Concierto Aranjuez," for guitar and strings, and it's been done by Miles Davis on Sketches Of Spain, Sarah Brightman on Time To Say Goodbye, and Alabina on Alabina II. Here, it's "Aranjuez Ma Pensee" with new lyrics. A classic tune done afresh wit
"Palabra De Honor" or "Word of Honor", has a Spanish flavour with the accompanying strings, guitar, and flute. And what is that word of honour? "I will not leave you/I will never leave you."
"Berceuse" from Benjamin Godard's Jocelyn opera is sung in French and really highlights Summer's voice.
The melody from "Mal Di Luna" (Moonsickness) is taken from Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and describes the overpowering effects the moon has on one.
"Tutta La Vita" (All My Life) is a duet with tenor Marcelo Alvarez, who has a richer voice than Andrea Bocelli. More along the lines of Jose Cura and Jose Carreras. They make a nice pair.
The melody of "Sposa Son Disprezzata" (Husband, I Am Despised) is from Vivaldi, and the wife asks her husband what she has done to deserve his contempt? She is faithful yet insulted, but still loves him.
"Morgen" (Tomorrow) is taken from a Richard Strauss composition, which features great strings and violin solo.
Summer does a great job in conveying the painful realization of the futility of violence and the fragility of humanity in "Fragile." The Spanish guitar from Sting's original is replicated, with a touch of sax in places. She doesn't use her opera voice here but joined with strings, it's just as wonderful.
"Mesicku a Nebi Hlubokem" is not only Czech for "Song Of The Moon" but is what Sarah Brightman used for the title track to her La Luna album. Same music. It comes from Antonin Dvorak's opera Rusalka (The Water Nymph), which he wrote in Prague after returning from America. She hits those dramatic high notes with the same aplomb as Brightman.
Her other English-langauge cover is Cleo Laine's "Cavatina."
The lyrics printed in Italian/Spanish/Czech/German/French and English, which enables one to follow along.
A vibrant, fresh voice in the manner of the old school, like Cecilia Bartoli or Nucia Focile, rather than those in the newer Sarah Brightman/Charlotte Church school. Don't get me wrong. I adore Sarah, Charlotte, and Norah to pieces, but it has to be said that Summer's voice is a superior quality better than all three. With the right kind of promotion, i.e. PBS specials, concerts, she will make it big here.Summer Overview

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