Symphonicities
Sting
4.5/5
Clever title. Clever concept. Better yet, this is a brilliant career move from former Police man, Sting.
Although we all know most of these songs that span the spectrum of Sting's post-punk years out front of the Police until their break-up in 1983 - and his equally successful solo
recordings - this is very different and exciting proposition. Does it work? You bet.
The arrangements, the orchestrations, the back-up musos, especially David Cossin's funky basslines, and Sting's inspired new interpretations of his own lyrics all come together in perfect Symphonicity.
It's darn hard to pick standout tracks on what is a stunning line-up, they're all right up there. Nonetheless my favourites are Englishman in New York, I Hung My Head (it ranks alongside Johnny Cash's brilliant cover version), You Will Be My Ain True Love , She's Too Good for me, and I Burn For You. But that's just my pick of what is a very even and incredibly well-produced set by a highly talented lyricist taking his own songbook in a whole new direction.
