Subj : Sting To : Darkman Almighty From : Ogg Date : Sun Dec 19 2021 00:23:00 Hello Darkman Almighty! ** On Saturday 18.12.21 - 15:07, Darkman Almighty wrote to Ogg: Og>> ..I remain undecided with Sting's new album. Most of the Og>> tunes sound "solo" with a simple accompaniment [...] DA> Hey Ogg, I think I know what you mean. I personally love DA> his older stuff, soul cages and ten summoner stuff the DA> most and its not like that but I still find it really nice DA> to listen to. Then theres the speaker equation to it all. I produced a physical CD of the tunes and have given the album at least 3 spins. I noticed that if I play the recording in original order.. the songs seem to tell a story. The songs have many references to scripture, God, etc. Perhaps, now in his sunset years, Sting is musing life more passionately. 1. Rushing Water: the funky sounds and beats are very nice. A reference to "Jonah". But "God's own daughter" [?] I don't understand that reference. 2. If It's Love: references to church bells, what the doctor said, "If it's love there's no cure.." 3. The Book of Numbers: that's a scripture reference. "Thank the Lord..", the holy book of Numbers, parables in the scriptures, gates of heaven, mercy, angels. The song has a familiar "Sting" treatment. 4. Loving You: I really like this one! It has a nice funky laid back style. "I pray that the waters of forgiveness will look down on me." "We will walk in righteousness". 5. Harmony Road: Ironically, this one doesn't have much harmony! :( This is the first tune that strikes me as minimalist, a solo, and not much Sting-treatment. I would tend to avoid this song. 6. For Her Love: nice guitar and beats. This one works well. In a few places his voice "breaks" and that's pretty cool. Nice ending. 7. The Hills on the Border: So-so. A musing on life, the devil, a gravestone reference, the fiddles and accordian give it country-tune feel. I could pass on that one. But it's not a standout for me. 8. Captain Bateman: a minstrel tune. There's a story to tell. The accompaniment and the glimpse of the female voice makes it interesting. 9. The Bells of St. Thomas: "last day is the judgment". "walk to the church" "the wounds we all share". A weird dark song. 10. The Bridge: "the bridge out there.." "we are bags of blood and bone", "the bridge we will find somehow, only then we will be delivered". A non-threatening solo. But I miss the artistry and more harmonies that he could apply. 11. Waters of Tyne: Sounds like "10" above. A solo. I could skip this one. 12. Captain Bateman's Basement: I wonder what the reference to Cpt. Bateman is all about (again) - see #8 above. But this one is entirely in scat. It's pretty interesting this way. I like it. It has a jazz-like complexity that is interesting. 13. Dock of the Bay: This is a complete surprise. Why is this cover compelling for Sting? Why would he even NEED to do a cover, unless the message of the song "wasting time", loneliness, ties into the theme of life, love, hope and loss that the album seems to be about. And.. he seems to know how to whistle! It made a big difference to hear the recording on proper open- air speakers. I wouldn't hesitate to spin this one up on repeat a few more times when I need to relax. DA> Also, sometimes you listen to a song and go meh.. then you DA> listen again.. ok.. and keep hearing it, certain songs DA> grow on you. Was this a love at first listen album, no.. I DA> ran through it but "the bridge" after hearing on the radio DA> stuck with me. The whole recording *is* growing on me! DA> In any case, Sting pulls off a pretty well put together DA> album. I took a chance on buying it just based on title DA> song. I haven't encountered a recording that I would buy as a genuine CD in a long time. I've got around 2000 from previous decades. I recently revisited my copy of Don Henley's "The End Of The Innocence" and noticed one particular song for the 1st time: "Gimme What You Got" ..that one has a nice opening groove that I don't think I paid attention to before. --- OpenXP 5.0.50 * Origin: Ogg's WestCoast Point (21:4/106.21) .