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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unleashing the core of his genius with blazing colors, December 30, 2001
Those who didn't understand Sting's departure from the Police may finally get it when they listen to this album. Ten Summoner's Tales is an amazing compilation of 11 songs that really push boundaries with his musicianship while staying true to his excellent songwriting. The songs included on this album are both immerse and expansive, serious and funny and packed with melodies. While its message isn't as deep as his past albums, it shines in its authenticity, surely the best material he's ever played.To draw you in the first song is the well-known pop song, "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You." It has an addictive groove and multiple layers of sounds and melodies. In that same vein is the other guaranteed hit, "Fields of Gold." Surely this song, in its somber mood and loving lyrics is more than just a pop song but a recalled memory of love. Something even the music video hit dead-on. If you were scared of Sting's poly-rhythms in his other albums, you'll be terrified of this album. And too bad, some of Sting's best work is with the following three songs. He uses 7/4 scale before going into cowboy bebop in "Love is Stronger than Justice (The Munificent Seven)." The storytelling here is a simple but amusing story of seven desperados as they rescue a town and fight each other for the girl. 5/2 scale is heard in "Seven Days." The musicianship is worth high praise as mandolin and violins texture this song in its weird rhythm, making the 5 beats sound normal after the first chorus. Saint Augustine in Hell is the last of poly-beats, taking a 7/4 beat again. This song is a bit awkward, but a humorous romp with its tale of one guy's descent to Hell. Sting's sense of storytelling is exercised in songs like "Love is Stronger..." and "Heavy Cloud, No Rain" where a warning tone rings over the stories of praying in vain for rain and suffering the consequences. To accompany this, the music is playful and upbeat, adding some irony to the stories. Also in a strong sense of storytelling is "Something the Boy Said" which tells the tale of shipfairers (a favorite subject of Sting's) and their upcoming doom in the high seas. Again, the music carries its subject flawlessly and is beautiful in composition. To give credit to the other writers on this album, Dominic Miller's "Shape of My Heart" and Clapton's and Michael Kamen's "It's Probably Me" are excellent compositions in their own right. "Shape of My Heart" is a strumming tune and rivals that of "Fragile" (from Sting's previous album, Nothing Like the Sun). It's lyrics, again, are of a story of a gambler while its music is serious and fits excellently with Sting's vocal. "It's Probably Me" is totally panoramic, capturing its listener in a sea of music, of sorts, as it takes you through its love-song context. To end the album, "Epilogue (Nothing `Bout Me)" is another silly romp, probably talking back to the media that surrounds him. He continually denies ever spilling his guts, no matter how much you search. Again, it's silly but it's also nice epilogue and come on... that ending rips directly from "A Day in the Life" from the Beatles with its instruments winding up scales in the end. This album feels like a whole composition while the songs themselves are a greatest hits collection. Sting's mastery of musicianship and ironic, direct lyrics can not be denied as he safely takes tastes of all sorts and blends them into his romantic and freshly synthesized songs. This album is the pinnacle of Sting's work, not going too deep or too somber in message and being as high in his own standard as he'll ever get.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF GREAT MUSIC, October 12, 1999
By A Customer
The first time I heard a song by Sting was at the end of "The Professional" (Leon in France). When I heard the song, "Shape of My Heart" I knew I had to get the album. Once I popped the CD in my player I was completely overtaken by Sting's musical style. He has a real knack for making clever and innovative music that sets him apart from anyone else. Sting has a strong passion for the music he makes and it shows throughout this album. My favorite tracks are "Shape of My Heart" (of course), "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You", "Fields of Gold", "Heavy Cloud No Rain", "It's Probably Me", and "Epilogue (Nothing 'Bout Me)". After listening to 'TEN SUMMONER'S TALES', I can truly see why it was nominated for 6 Grammy Awards.
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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sting returns to the light, July 28, 2003
Where "The Soul Cages" was dark and introspective, "Ten Summoner's Tales" shows Sting returning to a lighter mood, with plenty of wry humor and jazz musical touches.
The cover speaks volumes, with Sting juxtaposed toward a horse's you-know-what and the wordplay of "Ten Summoner's Tales" working on multiple levels, a) reminiscent of Chaucer, b) there are actually 11 songs, c) Sting's real name is Gordon Sumners (sp?).
Also, the photos are in bright yellows and golds and taken in an old church, cathedral or abbey, so Sting is in a different spiritual place than "Soul Cages."
"If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" could be spoken to many listeners. It could be faith in God, a lover, a friend, or humanity. It has a steady instrumental groove, nice melodic touch on the guitar, and well-performed vocal.
The musicians here mark a departure from the earlier jazz stars, with more sidemen, including Dominic Miller on guitar. There is a definite move toward the easy listening that has dominated Sting's work since the early 1990s.
"Love is Stronger Than Justice" is a darkly humorous play on "The Magnificent Seven" about seven brothers that save a town for the promise of brides, only to find there is only one bride.
"Fields of Gold" is one of Sting's strongest love ballads, with beautiful imagery, gentle strings and delicate woodwinds.
"Heavy Cloud (No Rain)" and "She's Too Good For Me" are harder-edged tunes with strong instrumental lines."Seven Days" is about a person faced with an ultimatum from a lover, and features Sting once again picking his own pocket for lyrics from "Every Little Thing..."
"Saint Augustine in Hell" is about choices of attraction, and features a biting narrative of those that reside in Hell. Music Critics!
"It's Probably Me" is a relationship song about learning to rely on someone and "Shape of My Heart" is a ballad that uses card suits and face cards as metaphors for life. "Something the Boy Said" seems like a "Soul Cages" leftover with the metaphors of the sea and soldiers.
"Epilogue (Nothing 'Bout Me)" is a fitting closer, with the narrator saying that you can make all of these examinations, but you'll still learn nothing, because he's really a simple soul.
Excellent, solid outing for Sting that holds up under multiple listenings a decade later.
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