2013-10-10
After a long hiatus, Sting returns with a series of songs for a play about shipbuilders in Newcastle (his home town)--their failing industry, lives, loves and families. It comes off as a soundtrack, and not especially riveting listening without the action on the stage. Only a couple of songs feel like they work apart from the action: "And Yet," which takes a Sting-classic jazz approach and "August Winds," a gorgeous number that stands alone. Sting handles all of the vocals here, with only two exceptions, and again, listening to the narrative about ships and harbors song after song doesn't give the disc-listener a lot with which to connect. I can imagine the production on stage going well, with this music the perfect companion. But alone, not as much. 10/13 Michael J.
THE FRESH & ONLYS
House of Spirits
BELL X1
Blue Lights on the Runway
R.E.M.
Unplugged 1991&2001 The Complete Recordings
IAN MCLAGAN & THE BUMP BAND
United States
THE INSTRUCTION
Failure By Design
CANADA
The Cursed House
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