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 AA>> ..I remain undecided with Sting's new album. Most of the
 AA>> tunes sound "solo" with a simple accompaniment [...]

An update..

I produced a physical CD of the tunes and have given the album  
at least 3 spins.  I noticed that if I play the recording in  
original order.. the songs seem to tell a story. The songs have  
many references to scripture, God, etc.  Perhaps, now in his  
sunset years, Sting is musing life more passionately.

1. Rushing Water: the funky sounds and beats are very nice.     
A reference to "Jonah".  But "God's own daughter" [?] I don't  
understand that reference.

2. If It's Love: references to church bells, what the doctor  
said, "If it's love there's no cure.."

3. The Book of Numbers: that's a scripture reference. "Thank  
the Lord..", the holy book of Numbers, parables in the  
scriptures, gates of heaven, mercy, angels. The song has a  
familiar "Sting" treatment.

4. Loving You: I really like this one! It has a nice funky laid  
back style.  "I pray that the waters of forgiveness will look  
down on me." "We will walk in righteousness".

5. Harmony Road: Ironically, this one doesn't have much  
harmony! :(  This is the first tune that strikes me as  
minimalist, a solo, and not much Sting-treatment. I would tend  
to avoid this song.

6. For Her Love: nice guitar and beats. This one works well.   
In a few places his voice "breaks" and that's pretty cool. Nice  
ending.

7. The Hills on the Border:  So-so. A musing on life, the  
devil, a gravestone reference, the fiddles and accordian give  
it country-tune feel.  I could pass on that one. But it's not a  
standout for me.

8. Captain Bateman: a minstrel tune. There's a story to tell.  
The accompaniment and the glimpse of the female voice makes it  
interesting.

9. The Bells of St. Thomas: "last day is the judgment". "walk  
to the church" "the wounds we all share".  A weird dark song.

10. The Bridge: "the bridge out there.." "we are bags of blood  
and bone", "the bridge we will find somehow, only then we will  
be delivered". A non-threatening solo. But I miss the artistry  
and more harmonies that he could apply.

11. Waters of Tyne:  Sounds like "10" above. A solo. I could  
skip this one.

12. Captain Bateman's Basement: I wonder what the reference to  
Cpt. Bateman is all about (again) - see #8 above. But this one  
is entirely in scat. It's pretty interesting this way. I like  
it. It has a jazz-like complexity that is interesting.

13. Dock of the Bay: This is a complete surprise. Why is this  
cover compelling for Sting? Why would he even NEED to do a  
cover, unless the message of the song "wasting time",  
loneliness, ties into the theme of life, love, hope and loss  
that the album seems to be about. And.. he seems to know how to  
whistle!

It made a big difference to hear the recording on proper open- 
air speakers.  I wouldn't hesitate to spin this one up on  
repeat a few more times when I need to relax.

The whole recording *is* growing on me!

I haven't encountered a recording that I would buy as a genuine  
CD in a long time.  I've got around 2000 from previous decades.

I recently revisited my copy of Don Henley's "The End Of The  
Innocence" and noticed one particular song for the 1st time:

"Gimme What You Got"  ..that one has a nice opening groove that  
I don't think I paid attention to before.


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