I like Sting.
I love John Dowland.
Sting singing John Dowland? Um. I’m not sold.
The lute playing is awesome so far, though. It’s just that Sting’s voice and style are so modern, and the Dowland is so, well, Tudor. I’m not sure it works. What I am sure of is that it’s going to introduce Dowland to a whole new set of people, which can only be a good thing. And he sounds like he’s very in love with the music and respects it, which I respect in turn, and kudos to him for recording a Dowland album at all.
Maybe it’s just that the album opens with “Can She Excuse My Wrongs?”, which is my very favourite Dowland song, and the pace of it along with his expression don’t quite fit. The slower tracks aren’t as jarring, possibly because he sounds less modern. And the spoken word bits are very good too.
Did I mention the excellent lute playing?
My liking for the whole thing is certainly improving as the album progresses.
Currently Listening: Songs From the Labyrinth, Sting
Did you catch his guest-appearance as a guest appearing on Studio 60 on the tv show about a tv show called “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”?
Anyway, I thought he sounded very good. Amazing lute playing indeed!
He’s good. Not Anthony Rooley-impressive, but very nice.
Now that I’ve listened to it through a couple of times, it’s good background music, but if I want to actively listen to Dowland songs I’ll play my Emma Kirby/Rooley recording. All in all, a remarkable accomplishment, though.