Customer Reviews

All This Time

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

Recorded on 9/11/01 & dedicated to all of the lives lost on that day, Sting delivers new renditions of his classics with jazzy bass, world-beat rhythms, cellos and tender vocals. "Fragile" opens this 15 track set, and reeling in the events of that day, the words are heartfelt and wrought with meaning. "Don't Stand So Close To Me" gently glides into "When We Dance" and is hauntingly delivered with more warmth of feeling than ever before. Equally enjoyable are the reworks of "Roxanne" and "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You". Even his latest work "Brand New Day" has a brand new sound. Sting's creative rearranging brings some surprising twists to familiar songs and makes one wonder while listening, "why wasn't the song recorded like this originally?"... they are that good! Listening to this cd is an experience and makes us realize (to quote Sting) "how fragile we are".

This shouldn't be dismissed just as another Sting album. It's a document which expresses, especially at the beginning, our feelings at the time of the 9-11 tragedy. Beyond that, it expresses the need for healing and adjustment. I am surprised that there are no spoken words on the recording, but maybe this is for the best.

I have read some of the strong negative reviews and I hope these people keep this CD for listening in the future after they have lived more of their life. I believe they will have a deeper understanding and appreciation for what Sting has done here at that time.

The opening number, "Fragile", captures the mood of the day, and the progression in mood and jazz flavor throughout the album provides the healing. Thus, this is an album which might be quite appropriate to listen to in times of sorrow, because it doesn't stay at the sorrowful level, but progresses to a level of healing, rebuilding, and of steadfast hope.

Had the recording been postponed, we would have a different album. It's my personal opinion that we have a more valuable recording because it was not postponed.

Sting comes back with this live recording made on September 11 (he respectfully dedicates it to the victims of the tragedy). This time around he revisits tunes from all his periods (The Police, early and late solo material) but with a very jazzy feel to most of the songs.

What can be said about this album, that has not been said about Sting at some point? It's brilliant: he grabs his songs and virtually reinvents them, to the point where they sound almost like different songs. This is the case with almost all songs in this recording which, like all previous Sting works, is impeccably recorded and produced.

Particularly enjoyable I found his beautiful rendition of the Police classics "Don't stand so close to me" and "Roxanne" as well as the tracks included from his least popular album, 'Mercury Falling' and the mix of "A Thousand Years" and "PerfectLove... Gone Wrong," much in the same style of his earlier live double-album. Interesting results his Traffic-like version of his very own "If you love somebody set them free"... Grrrrooovy!!!! New tracks anyone? Yes! "Dienda" in the style of his interpretation of the Zappa song, "The Idiot Bastard song" which some lucky people were able to hear back during some sessions he played in Chicago several years ago.

Overall, one of those jewels that oughta become part of your musical collection.

Well, what can you say this is one of the best live albums recorded by an artist. The album was recorded on Sept 11th (a dark day for all of us), which makes the album more special and unique. Most of the songs have a different arrangements that the original versions. The outstanding tracks are:

"Mad About You" which is not on the US/CANADA release
"Fragile" the re-invented version, sounds like a brand new song and dedicated for those lost during Septemeber 11, 2001
"Don't Stand So Close to Me" Great short version, very angelic and soothing
"When We Dance" Good to hear Sting perform this song
"Fields of Gold" sounds almost like the album version except for a few new arrangements, but regardless, a great version

I wished Sting could have recorded a new version of "Desert Rose" on this album. Overall, all tracks sound very good. Buy it and listen to album during these cold winters'nights. A great holiday gift for your friends and family.

Recorded on Sept 11, 2001, the song "Fragile" has a renewed meaning, and a perfect opening track. This live concert features some of Sting's best songs, reinvisioned with new arragements. Alive and fresh, even old classics like "Roxanne" and "Every Breath you Take" sound great. The standout track for me has to be "All this Time", sounding new and exciting. A must have for Sting fans and fans of music in general.

Whatever anyone may say this album lacks, it certainly isn't energy or sensitivity to the listener!! Anyone who thinks that and that Sting is purely commercial, forgets that he WORKS for his albums - 16 month for Brand New Day alone - and that this album was to be recorded for his fans..

In his own words, it was intended to be "a joyous occasion - a celebration of music" but as the inside cover tells you (and any number of other sources), neccesity demanded that it was respectfully dedicated to those who lost their lives. Take this into account, beautiful album that it is, change the day and add the missing songs: "Desert Rose", "Englishman In New York" and "I Burn For You".. and I don't think anyone, anywhere would have much of a point to make of his place in music!

All music fans who know Stings work will appreciate how much this album is worth. For me, its much more than a greatest hits album of Sting, its the best of the man and his music..

Sting had a real opportunity here. There's always been a division between "Police Sting" and "Solo Sting". With "All This Time", recorded just before his 50th birthday, he had a chance to reconcile both catalogs ... reinventing them into something more than either had been before.

This CD is just a few creative decisions away from being astonishing. The reinterpretation of "Fragile" takes a haunting song to an even more mature level. "A Thousand Years" is wonderful, with a jazzier groove than it's previous incarnation ... but then is unfortunately cut short into a medley with "Perfect Love Gone Wrong". While both "All This Time" and "If You Love Somebody" share similar energies (possibly due to the fact that these arrangements were created over a two week period), they both have room to breathe and eventually land on different personalities. "Brand New Day" takes on a bluesier vibe ... an interesting choice that works delightfully. And the swing finale to "Roxanne" brought an instant smile to this reviewer's face.

A disappointment is "Every Breath You Take" ... Sting's unplugged version from 1991 has much more soul ... this version is little more than an acoustic interpretation from Sting's usual live set. In addition, "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" doesn't break any new ground ... especially in light of an inspired reading of "Don't Stand So Close to Me", which shows just how haunting a good melody can be. And kudos for cool surprises like "When We Dance" and "The Hounds of Winter".

A great CD to be sure ... but more imagination, along with the inclusion of "Desert Rose" and "Mad About You" (we saw them rehearsed on the A&E special) would have made it quite possibly THE defining moment in Sting's work.

I note that one of my fellow "citizen reviewers" below felt that this "live" CD--consisting as it does of live takes of previously recorded songs--was a bit on the superfluous side and would likely appeal only to the "casual fan." Funny thing though, several others have posted (ironically for similar reasons) that it should only be of interest to Sting COMPLETISTS, the folks who feel compelled to literally possess every recording the Stingle has ever made. So who's right? Neither? Both?

Well, that likely all depends on the beholder--or the "be-hearer." , but I can say that *I* like it a lot. But if anyone could be classified as definitive casual fan when it comes to Sting, I guess that'd be me. After a somewhat rocky start with "Roxanne" (HATED it the first few times I heard it on the radio), I soon came to appreciate the Police and was intrigued by their intelligent lyrics and tight reggae-influenced rock. That is to say, I liked what I heard but was never felt compelled to rush out and buy their latest album the day it was released. And yeah, it did seem that Sting's critics had a point. He did seem to be a little full of himself, and that put me off at least a little bit. Had the same complicated reaction to Bono a few years later. Talented, yes. Compelling, yes. Egotistical, yes...but then it's not totally unwarranted.

Years later, I have to ask myself why that was such a sticking point for me. Why did I always cut Lou Reed or John Lennon considerable slack in the pretentiousness department, but resisted doing the same for those who came a bit later. Who knows? What I do know now is that if I had given the Police and Sting's later solo works more of a chance, I almost certainly would have come to overlook (and maybe even embrace) the minor failings. There are, as it turns out, more than enough strengths to allow for that.

So anyway this "casual fan" was familiar with about half the tunes included in this concert album. I knew the Police tracks of course, and certainly remembered early solo stuff like "If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free." Whatever my initial misgivings about "Roxanne" way back when, I did come to like that song well enough to be a bit disappointed in almost campy version included here. It's starts off well enough but soon devolves into a near lounge number. Sorry, but that tune just demands a SINCERE delivery. And the perfunctory take on "Don't Stand So Close To Me" is a bit disappointing too.

So maybe Sting is a little uncomfortable by some his efforts of his youthful period? Or perhaps just tired of them? He can, however, still wrap himself around the romantic sentiment of "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" and captures the still spooky irony of the CD's closer "Every Breath You Take" (still deliciously creepy after all these years). It's hard to believe that there are those who misunderstand this song's sinister import totally? I mean, do they really actually play it at WEDDINGS?? Listen to the words, boys and girls. This is NOT a healthy relationship.

Over the years, Sting has taken a few jabs for his rather overt, matinee idol romanticism. Well, you either like it or you don't. Give him credit though: he's smart enough to mix up the lush, metaphysical swoon of "A Thousand Years" with the comic swagger of "Perfect Love Gone Wrong." That makes for just about the perfect segue and just the right leavening touch. Similarly, he and the band shift effortlessly from those sunny "Fields of Gold" to sinister Anne Rice territory with "Moon Over Bourbon Street."

The brief notes on the inner sleeve make mention of the fact that the concert this live record documents took place in Italy on September 11, 2001. The album is "respectfully dedicated to those who lost their lives that day." I suspect many a jaded listener may have been a little skeptical about that. And there will certainly be those who would maintain that the proper response would have been to cancel the concert and the recording thereof (an evening concert European time would have been just hours after the day's actual events after all.) Regardless of how you may feel about all that, a genuine spirit of solemnity does indeed permeate many of the tracks. The album's opener "Fragile" is eerily poignant in light of the horror of that day. The song's vaguely wistful pacifist sentiment takes on new significance given the day's carnage. Five years--and considerably more carnage--later, it still bears listening to.

As does the whole album. Whether you're a "casual fan" or a devotee.

What can I say about Sting's "All This Time" CD that hasn't been said by all the other positive fans here...it is a wonderful & moving experience. Once again Sting reinvents his classic tunes & brings new life to his more recent compositions. My particular stand-outs are, "Hounds of Winter" & "Moon Over Bourbon Street" where Chris Botti more than fills the shoes of the great Branford Marsalis...replacing the sax with his sensual jazz trumpet. And the interplay between Botti & trombonist Clark Gayton on "Brand New Day" brings a well needed spark to this somber affair. Plus the bluesy vocals of Katreese Barnes & Janice Pendarvis also add more adrenaline to the proceedings.

As a long time fan & I do mean long time fan, I first saw Sting & the Police at CBGB's in NYC the first time the guys played there...Stings music has been an important & very integral part of my life for all these years. I have always found solace in Sting's music & especially this CD in light of the circumstances in which the live CD was recorded. Sting was correct in choosing the more somber songs for the CD release over the more upbeat tracks the band were rehearsing on the A&E special & DVD release.

As usual Sting has assembled a superb group of truly gifted musicians....the core band of Dominic Miller, Manu Katche & Kipper. Along with ethereal trumpeter Chris Botti, the excellent bassist Christian McBride & jazz stylist Jason Rebello on piano.

As a native New Yorker, who actually witnessed the attack & collapse of the Twin Towers from my art departments windows on that horrific day, I commend Sting & his band for going through with this unforgettable performance. It was so awful to see the attack live from my windows as the planes struck. It was surreal. Everyone in my office was crying. This devastating event in history is something that I will never forget & hopefully....neither will the rest of the world!!

As an Italian-American, who has visited Sting's newly adopted country numerable times, I feel Sting's home was the perfect tranquil setting for this subdued yet ultimately very powerful performance.

As the musicians(Chris Botti & Janice Pendarvis in particular) urged Sting on with; "YES we MUST play" ...I felt their sentiments exactly! NOT playing would have been like giving in to the terrorism of that day! The CD will ALWAYS mean a lot to me as both a Sting fan & a person who truly believes in the healing power of music.

Sting IS correct; "Nothing comes from violence." The Tuscany concert & his music in general, just proves that intelligence & the healing power of music are two VERY strong antidotes to the horrors of hate & terrorism.
And yes, I do "LOVE" Sting....not in the same way as the giddy girl who saw him so many years ago in a little dank club in NYC...but for the true humanitarian & most gifted & evolving musician he is.
Thank you Sting...for ALL your art.

Get this CD if your are a Sting fan & if you truly believe in the universal healing power of music!! My only complaint was that the US release omitted several excellent songs. One has to question the politics of A&M Records over that issue.

After seeing Sting in Central Park last summer I mentioned what a nice twist on some of his work. That little Jazz thing he's had going on was really cool. One nite after 9/11 at 3:00 am I happened upon the A&E special ...All This Time. I not only bought the record (& DVD) I have ended up buying one for every single person I know and love. The "reinvention" of all these songs is incredibly wonderful, easy to listen to and above all relaxing. I have especially found this version of Fragile to be unbelievably healing to my soul. On this record Sting shows us how he is reflecting on his life. I'm sure all these songs have new meanings for him than they originally did and now they have new meaning for me as well.
If for no other reasons you sould get this record for Fragile. Although he originally wrote it for John Lennon, the fact that they were going to release this particular song as a single on that particular day........