STEWART COPELAND

I haven't really paid much attention to Sting's solo stuff since "Blue Turtles" but last night I watched the PBS show with the lute.

I thought it would be classical instrumental but I was so surprised. It was very interesting and really it was pop songs from the 1600's. What a fantastic musician to challenge himself to that level, very,very difficult vocals. I was very impressed.

I am guilty of making negative LUTE comments, I am red faced now.

I will probably get the CD it was very good. I know it's a different kind of music but if you write songs you can really appreciate what was written. Fantastic chord changes...great writting. Englands first pop star!

It so awesome that from that music he goes back to The Police to rock.

Pretty humbleing to me as a crappy basement musician.

Way to go Stingo...you are an old soul buddy!

what did you guys think?
CHEERS.

I'll probably get flamed for this, but.... I too actually liked Sting's lute songs. A refreshing change of pace. I did, however, find the "readings" or word poems on the CD a bit pretentious and annoying. (so be forewarned before you buy)

well, ya gotta be honest. If you like it, you like it...some hate it.

If we get flamed so be it. I enjoy history and I will try to put a "sprinkle" of that vibe in a song or two. You gotta take from the past and make it new.

...and I'm a guy who's going to 2 Police shows so far and adding another tomorrow.

It's not a crime to enjoy different kinds of music, it's emotion. Sometimes you're mellow and sometime ya wanna rock.

I have a lot of respect for people that challenge themselves...and Sting really took it to a new level of challenge(IMO).

Cheers Mate! - PS. funny thing, I just phoned the record store to purchase theCD/DVD and they tell me it just came out this morning in Toronto Canada. Weird!

fate?

Stewart and Andy also, what with Italain dance music and jazz, very impressive artists.

Thank you for your comments Bongoboy.

I will consider to buy Sting's lute work.

Three Police's boys are excelent musicians and playing together will rocks the world

You'll see.

Oh hell, I watched it and liked it too. He really does sing beautifully. Reminded me of Enrico Caruso...I have a few famous tenors in my CD collection...

I just got back from lunch at work with the new CD/DVD and am loading it right now. Can't wait to hear "Message in a Bottle" on lute.

Really cool.

I was totally indifferent to the whole lute thing until I saw this video on YouTube. The footage is grainy and the sound isn't very good but I can tell that it's an amazing performance. So somber. So haunting. I think this is his best solo version since The Secret Policeman's Ball in 1981.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlKJv8easog

I recorded it on my DVR last night... I thought it was quite nice...
Laz

My own opinion of the Lute album aside, I think that people who consider themselves Police and Stewart fans are definitely warming to Sting in general. I had seen a terribly bland Vegas-review style performance on the Sacred Love tour (complete with corny Victoria's Secret tie-in videos) and I could hardly listen to his solo stuff after that. Then The Police reform and next thing you know I'm catching myself humming "We Work The Black Seam."

Though I admit that I still catch myself imagining how much better the song would sound with Stewart and Andy.

Told ya! I really like the cd. It's definitely not a typical Sting record, so don't go in with that in mind. You have to look at it as a classical or traditional cd.

I TIVO'd the show but haven't watched it yet. What I read yesterday on the PBS Great Performances site made me drool so I'm dying to watch it and buy the dvd and the live cd that comes with it. I admit I thought he was nuts until I saw the performance on the TODAY show that brought me to my knees. It definitely is the same guy that did MIAB at the Secret Policeman's Ball and covered Someone To Watch Over Me, which are two of my favourite tracks.

It's actually a shame that his lute tour will take a back seat to the Police tour because I'd really like to see this performance up close. When he brought it to NY only Stink.com contest winners could attend. I'd gladly pay for a seat.

Well, maybe he's getting his old powers back. I have to think he's doing some soul-searching, having read 'Broken Music' and having heard from Stewart in an interview that he performed a slew of Police songs last year in their original three-blonds arrangements.

Now here he is on PBS talking about Dowland having been the original British pop star? Sounds a wee bit existential to me.

I have to chime in as another one of the naysayers who was impressed after watching the PBS program. I'm actually glad I waited to see the video first before listening to the album, because I think the context and the interviews presented in that program helped me appreciate the music a lot more.

I thought Sting's voice sounded fabulous and the music was quite lovely. In fact I certainly found it more enjoyable than almost anything off of, say, "Sacred Love".

Yesterday I attended Sting's lute concert and it was fantastic. His voice is amazing, there are moments in the concert when he sings without any accompaniment... this voice is absolutely unbelievable! Apart from Edin Karamazow there was an 8-piece vocal ensemble from London named Stile Antico, they joined the songs which needed several voices.

It was a wonderful concert evening and I don't really understand why many people here tend to be negatively towards Sting and his music. I'm a Police fan for almost 30 years now and when they broke up I always followed their solo activities with friendliness. I just love all three of them, no favoritism, just as in a good family.

For those who are interested: non-dowland-songs were Fields Of Gold, Message In A Bottle and Hell Hound On My Trail by Robert Johnson.

You lucky so n so !

I wish he was coming to Toronto Canada.

Can you answer a question about the CD? Does it include the lyrics? I love the words but I can't make all of them out.

I have the CD/DVD and it not the studio recording. Any comment on the CD would be great. I may buy it today. I really like John Dowlands songs.

I wasn't interested initailly because I thought it was instrumental...then I saw the show and realized it was 3 minute pop songs from the 1600's!

Really fantastic stuff.

Sorry for doubting you Stingo!

Got the CD.

It has the Bio of John Dowland and the lyrics!

It sounds great.

Way to go Stingo!