Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
So hard to put Sting's best material on one CD..., September 6, 2001
I guess the point is: Sting has so much brilliant work, both as a solo artist, and as lead voice and bass player of The Police, that it's more than a challenge to put his best material in one album, like 'Fields of Gold' tries to. I'd say this is the only one flaw the album has, and it's definitely not one about which much can be done -the man is simply a genius!This album actually is comprised of a little more than just greatest hits. The first and last songs are previously unreleased. 'When we dance' it's such a beautiful tune... I remember every time I listen to it when I got my copy of the CD. At the time I was living in Ithaca, NY and it was winter (November of 94). I remember opening the window and looking at the snow flakes falling to this song. So beautiful... 'This Cowboy Song' is a very contagious tune as well; not too 'cowboy' sounding in the country sense of the word, but very good anyway. Other than these two songs, there is another gift for the attentive Sting fan: the track 'Why should I cry for you' (from the album "Soul Cages") is a different version from the original. In my opinion, though, the original one sounded much better (it reminds me of the sound of Peter Gabriel -no wonder, since Sting's line-up for that album was almost the same as PG's!) The rest of the songs almost need no comment. They're all without exception great, as great is the musical legacy of Sting. If you don't have any albums by him, this will serve as an acceptable compilation of his first four albums. "Soul Cages," his third one (and in general, the least understood one) is not well covered by this album, so you will have to get yourself a copy of this album that Sting wrote drowning in the sorrow left by the death of his father. Once you get these two albums (to the very, very least) you need to treat yourself to "Brand New Day", his most recent production, and try to catch him live the next time he drops by your town: you'll be so impressed, most likely you'll go out and buy the rest of the albums by him you don't already own!
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35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fulfilling Sting Collection, August 12, 2002
As much as I enjoyed The Police, I credit Sting with broadening his and my musical horizons at some point with his move toward jazz-inflected pop. Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting is simply a first rate collection containing enough highlights to convince anyone that the post-Police years have been nothing short of golden.The two new tracks risked sounding left behind when you consider the rest of the program was selected from the cream of Sting's solo efforts. But they're surprisingly good, especially "This Cowboy Song." From a technical perspective, Sting doesn't have the best vocal range even among popular singers, but he long ago learned to write in a way that showcases his distinctive timbre without pushing it too far. We've all come of age with that slightly strained voice, and he sounds great. The 'best of' tracks are hard to argue with. Even the remix of 'Fortress Around Your Heart' is nicely done, and the songs from the 1985 'Dream of the Blue Turtles' really hold their own. 'Mercury Falling', often considered a weaker album, is conspicuously absent, while the excellent 'Ten Summoner's Tales' is represented by two songs. How 'Shape of My Heart' didn't make it is beyond me, as I think the 'Ten Summoners' album and that song represent something of a high point for Sting, but it is impossible to complain much about the present album. Whether you already own everthing Sting has recorded or are looking for an introduction, this album is a real home run. Probably one of the best popular music albums in the last 20 years, if you accept a 'Best of' as an album. Very highly recommended.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best of Sting 84-94--What a great 10 years!, August 27, 2000
"The Best of Sting" is a truly a great value. I have listened to Sting since his police days and this CD certainly holds some sort of record for longevity...you will listen to it for years. With many veteran side men such as Branford Marsalis, the band alone is worth listening to even though the songs featured are each collectors. Trying to rate the CD based on the backup players would be useless in that Sting uses such noteworthy musicians as Eric Clapton, Mark Knofler (Dire Straits), Andy Summers (Police), and many others, through the years to perform on these classics. I have stated in other reviews that Sting is the best I songwriter I have ever heard who uses minimal chords without being boring. These offerings covers the entire spectrum of chord use. I would recommend certain songs on this CD as the most outstanding, but that would be a waste of time--they're all great. My personal favorites are "When We Dance", "Fields of Gold", "Fortress Around Your Heart", They Dance Alone", "Fragile", "Englishman in New York", "Russians", "The Cowboy Song", Why Should I Cry For You?", "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You", "All This Time", and "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free". (I have listed the entire playlist). As a professional musician, I rate CD's in two ways, song writing/musicianship, and for the number of songs I would listen to over and over again. This CD rates a solid five in both categories. This CD not only has great music, songs, and musicians, but it also has great lyrics...listen to "They Dance Alone" or "Fields of Gold". The song "Russians" refers to nuclear and political fare, but in a historical perspective. He uses a theme by the famous Russian composer Prokofiev as a way to make the melody more "russian". "Fragile" was the reason I purchased this CD initially. I had always loved the melody of the song, used in a Red Cross commercial, and find it to be a song writing gem. Of course there are many Sting staples on this CD such as "If You Love Them Set Them Free and "Fortress Around Your Heart" (a Police-sounding cut). As stated previously, I found the most rewarding song lyrically on this CD is "They Dance Alone" which is a from his CD "Nothing Like the Sun". With the purchase of this CD, you too will be writing a five-star review.
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