MSGID: 2:221/1.58@fidonet f7929e69   
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    AA>> ..I remain undecided with Sting's new album. Most of the   
    AA>> tunes sound "solo" with a simple accompaniment [...]   
      
   An update..   
      
   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.   
      
   The whole recording *is* growing on me!   
      
   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.   
      
      
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