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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
Sacred Love arrives over four years on from Brand New Day and demonstrates that Sting--an artist often criticised for serving up slick yet soulless coffee-table precision--is now positively galvanised by soul. Symptomatic of an uncharacteristically intimate co-production job (courtesy of the man himself and Kipper), there's a degree of inclusive warmth here that's occasionally been lacking in his post-Police work. From the busy, insistent verbosity of spiralling opener "Inside", through "Whenever I Say Your Name"--a gospel-tinged, call-and-response collaboration with class-drenched Mary J Blige--and on to the sweeping Iberian soundscapes of "Send Your Love", Sacred Love compounds Sting's reputation as an authoritative singer-songwriter of incredibly broad stylistic scope.
Elsewhere, "This War" kicks along in a reasonable approximation of rock, "The Book of My Life" strokes its spiritual chin as Anoushka Shankar noodles dexterously upon an atmospheric sitar, and "Stolen Car" stretches credence to beyond reasonable limits as superannuated Sting tries on a little joy-riding for size. So there it is: a Sting album with everything, including moments of unexpectedly spectacular 5.1 Surround Sound, a clumsily unfortunate dance mix and a little bit of soul. --Ian Fortnam
Product Description
CD AAndM,986 053-5 , 2003 13 Track
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Sacred Love expresses musically what Sting appears to be in 2003: young, fit and flexible even with this greying beard of his and his age of almost 52.
The single "Send Your Love" with its chart-suitable beats and grooves proves that Sting still writes music for young people, hooking but far from being flat or a dumb repetition of popular patterns. There are also gems for long-time fans and experienced listeners: "Inside", "The Book Of My Life", "Never Coming Home Again" or "Dead Man's Rope" provide again these lyrics that make you think: "Exactly, that's how it is. How does he know I'm feeling just like that?"
Musically he more than ever weaves most different influences into each other, making it impossible to classify his music. His voice grows more versatile and precise with every new album and his use of computers as instruments adds colour to the pieces.
"The War" rocks, showing Dominic Miller's superb skills on the Electric guitar (after his recent and very successful activities in classical music), Jason Rebello reminds vividly of Kenny Kirkland when he puts a jazzy end to "Never Coming Home Again", and Mary J.Blige presents herself as a perfect duet partner on the R&B tune "Whenever I Say Your Name", a real highlight of that album.
The single "Send Your Love" with its chart-suitable beats and grooves proves that Sting still writes music for young people, hooking but far from being flat or a dumb repetition of popular patterns. There are also gems for long-time fans and experienced listeners: "Inside", "The Book Of My Life", "Never Coming Home Again" or "Dead Man's Rope" provide again these lyrics that make you think: "Exactly, that's how it is. How does he know I'm feeling just like that?"
Musically he more than ever weaves most different influences into each other, making it impossible to classify his music. His voice grows more versatile and precise with every new album and his use of computers as instruments adds colour to the pieces.
"The War" rocks, showing Dominic Miller's superb skills on the Electric guitar (after his recent and very successful activities in classical music), Jason Rebello reminds vividly of Kenny Kirkland when he puts a jazzy end to "Never Coming Home Again", and Mary J.Blige presents herself as a perfect duet partner on the R&B tune "Whenever I Say Your Name", a real highlight of that album.
So Sting did his old trick again - walking on in temporary music while still being faithful to himself.
Awesome!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Deward
Format:Audio CD
Well after the third listen the only thing I could think about was "how on earth does one bloke consistently come up with tunes like these?". Forget about the glossy production. It is the stunning melodies, very clever lyrics and Sting who is in fine voice, which makes this an incredible album. It is going to be a very big hit. But writing about music is like dancing about algebra. Go listen for yourself.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you like Sting, you won't be disappointed, a great album whether you listen to it at home or driving in the car, you will soon be singing the songs, thanks again Sting
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By "ben9571"
Format:Audio CD
For all Sting lovers, and even those who don't know his music, this music will appeal. Full of sensual lyrics and stunning musicianship, this is an album for any music-lover's collection.
I only got the album yesterday, and on first listen I loved it! I'm now listening to it for the 3rd or 4th time and love it more on each hearing!
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By "timcp"
Format:Audio CD
This is Sting speaking from his soul. It's the most serious and yet somehow uplifting collection of songs he's put together for a long time. The insightful lyrics blend perfectly with the musical arrangements. You really feel that Sting has written these songs to mark a period in his life. At the same time he has caught the mood of a whole generation of 50 something baby boomers and the struggles between self and relationships. Stings music has always been heartfelt and polished but with Sacred Love he’s made it personal. The real album ends at the end of Sacred Love the last three tracks are “fillers”.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
Although there is very little that Sting has written that I don't like, I felt his last album Brand New Day lacked a certain passion - irespective of the superb production and musicianship.
But 'Sacred Love' is simply superb in every department. Passion, relevance, production, variety, surprise and brilliant riffs are all terms that spring to mind.
The man might not be great at interviews but he can sure write and perform great music. All the tracks are his own original work as usual and is co-produced by the the superb 'Kipper'. There will be two or three classics at least that come out of Sacred Love with 'This war', Whenever I say Your Name and 'Book of My Life' amongst the contenders.
I personally could have done without the extra disco mix of 'Send Your Love' but it's a minor irritation.
Overall this will appeal to everyone from the oldest Police fan to the 15 year old who can appreciate a melody.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
Having been a big Sting fan for so many years, and with the latest album due to be released (having seen and heard a number of performances and demo's) I was looking forward to what I thought would be another quality album. Don't get me wrong, this is a well-crafted album, and there are some good songs on this album, but its not all Sting. He's invited the talented Kipper (producer and band member) to work on this album, as he did with BND and its produced an album that in the whole doesn’t sound that much like Sting. The quality is still there but the programming on this album is very visible, and at times this really doesn’t sound like Sting’s album. Perhaps this is due to the success of desert rose and a willingness to recreate a song that good, or to make Sting fit in with a more modern culture of pop music. Its not needed, this is Sting, and he will win me back when his massively talented band hit the road with live performance of the album songs, and they bring them to life.
With this album you sort of realise that the production of this album does take something away from the sound we expect from Sting, particularly when the bonus track is a live recording of 'Shape of my Hear' from the All this time concert – brilliant.
With this album you sort of realise that the production of this album does take something away from the sound we expect from Sting, particularly when the bonus track is a live recording of 'Shape of my Hear' from the All this time concert – brilliant.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Web'
Format:Audio CD
Well after repeated listening I have to say that it’s grown on me somewhat and I’m now feeling that maybe I was a little unfair in my earlier review. So at the risk of looking like a numpty (wont be the first time!) here’s my re-review.
I’ve listened to it an awful lot lately and indeed it has grown on me somewhat, the more I listen to it - the better it gets, and I think that’s the thing, it takes a little longer to win you over. I remember having a similar experience with ‘Soul Cages’, I had mixed feelings about that at first but it’s (probably) my favourite Sting album now.
Sacred Love is, as is usually the case, a mixture of styles, tempos and unusual time signatures. It also has a modern type ‘techno’ feel to it in places and though I’m not a big fan of drum machines et al, he has used them creatively for the most part and so it works.
I do still feel that Kipper lends too much of a hand in the production process and also that it’s being marketed to appeal to a wider audience; the remix of ‘Send Your Love’ is evidence of this. Remixes should be used as filler tracks for cd singles, not albums.
My opinion of this album has definitely changed and I do now honestly recommend it, but don’t expect to be blown away on the first listen – give it time.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Service
I order this product which turned up very quickly with now problems good value for money. would recommend to others
Published 4 months ago by Badger
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Whenever I say your name, I'm already praying"
Sting's seventh studio album (2003) is a welcome addition to the collection. Here, an unconventional conventionality holds sway. Read more
Published on 30 April 2008 by Nicholas Casley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Back to form!!
This CD is definitely a return to form from Sting. The quality of the writing is outstanding. A mix of Spanish, Arabic and dance influences - as well as his usual well observed,... Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2005
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just
Sting is thoughtful, sensitive, imaginative - and such a talented,creative musician. All this shines through in Sacred Love. Read more
Published on 21 April 2004 by Hit Single
2.0 out of 5 stars
Sell out!!!
I think Sting has sold out on this album. You can hear from the first note, that he's trying to be something he is not. Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2004 by Jesper Thorsø Nielsen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning
For this album, In must say that it's a stunning piece....
If I analyse the songs... I think there brilliant. Songs like dead man's rope and Stolen car. Read more
If I analyse the songs... I think there brilliant. Songs like dead man's rope and Stolen car. Read more
Published on 1 Jan 2004 by Frits Fischer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sting plays great Jazz
Sacred love is a great album, great varity of music including some jazz. Highly Recommended.
Published on 12 Dec 2003 by Trevor Walhen
2.0 out of 5 stars
Hit and Miss.
Yet again, Sting has produced an album that contains the odd truly excellent song surrounded by 'filler' tracks that really don't catch the imagination. Read more
Published on 1 Dec 2003 by "rnb26"
3.0 out of 5 stars
Average
Perhaps Sting should have gone for real rootsy World Music this time. Sacred Love doesn't quite work because none of the songs really grabs you and their memory fades as soon as... Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2003 by Pieter Uys
2.0 out of 5 stars
meh
'Sacred Love' is the inevitable result of sting's long, slow slide towards VH1 easy-listening coffee-table schmaltz that began with 'Mercury Falling'. Read more
Published on 1 Nov 2003
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