I received my Deluxe cd today, and I, too, am very thrilled.

It might not become a top-selling hit record, and whether it will be a Broadway hit, I don't know, but the quality of the lyrics and music is unmistakeable. Sting has always been good at writing these narrative songs where the storyteller is someone else (Rock Steady, All Would Envy, Big Lie Small World, Tomorrow We'll See etc.), and I find the lyrics not only well-crafted, but also very engaging - they make me want to know more about these characters!

Musically the songs are heavily influenced by Northern English folk music tradition, which is natural, but I also have my doubts as to the Broadway appeal in this. As always, though, it is a pleasure to hear how well-performed the music is, and nice to hear a new drummer who sounds very capable.

One thing that really thrills me are the liner notes. They are very honestly written, and I love the fact that he gives kudos to those of us who agree that The Soul Cages is one of his finest albums :-)

My favourite tracks so far are Practical Arrangement (not the duet version) and The Night The Pugilist Learned How To Dance - both have great, yet very different lyrics.

I'd rank this album above Sacred Love, Brand New Day and Mercury Falling, but below his 80s work and TST/TSC.

Mikkel

Den 25-09-2013 17:35, skrev Holly Mollo:

Hi All,
While my CD has yet to arrive from Amazon, they have released the MP3 version to my Amazon Cloud Player, and I just finished listening to all 20 tracks.

While I find it musically wonderful, I wonder if it will ever really make it to Broadway. It doesn't sound like a Broadway musical; I think it's too Geordie for American tastes!

I can see it being successful on the London stage -- there are many references that will resonate with British audiences.

For example, the whole song about Isembard King Brunell will not register with 99.9% of Americans; the only reason I know who he was is because I watch a lot of BBC America!

Also, I enjoy British folk music; many Americans do not. The romantic ballad is beautiful and has a universal message,

but it would undoubtedly be eschewed for the rock'n'roll number! (which is great, by the way, but not on a par with the ballad.)

I love his lyrics (although these are mostly dark) because they presuppose that the listener will understand what he has to say,

and his rhythms and schemes are so clever, I just shake my head at his mad skills!

The music does indeed reference the Soul Cages -- he actually sings about the Soul Cages

in one number! -- but that is completely fine with me. As far as I'm concerned, that was some of his finest work.

This is also a fine work, which I really enjoyed listening to, and will enjoy many times over, but it isn't terribly commercial.

But what a refreshing break from the trashy pop that passes as music nowadays!

There are no gimmicks or needless noise; just music. Really good music.

My grade for this CD? I give it an A+, but that's me. I hope others will enjoy it as much as I did.

Can't wait to hear what you all think!

Have a great week!

Holly
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-- 
"At first just a rustle of canvas
And the gentlest breath on my face
But a galloping line of white horses
Said that soon we were in for a race"
   Sting - The Wild Wild Sea

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