Sting - Nothing Like the Sun

Sting's second and most conceptually dense solo album moved on from jazz to ideas picked up from Latin music. Even when he's not using Latin music's tricky polyrhythms, the melodies of the ballad "Be Still My Beating Heart" and the hit dance single "We'll Be Together" suggest he'd been listening to lots of salsa. If you can sting, you can cross-pollinate, too, and there are some other subtle hybrids here, notably the Gil Evans Orchestra's gliding arrangement of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing" and the reggae-in-a-Cole Porter suit of "Englishman in New York." Of course, the former schoolteacher has some lyrical messages to deliver and the three songs that originally made up the second side of a double LP are a bitter meditation on Latin American politics and history. --Douglas Wolk Amazon.com essential recording

Dated digital sound

VERY NICE SOLO ALBUM.

This is Sting's second or third or fourth solo album, depending on how you are counting. It is his second official studio solo album. Like his first (Dream of the Blue Turtles), it was released as a double LP and single CD. It is only 54 minutes long, so the LP sides were very short (under 14 minutes long) and it was more like a double EP. It was frustrating to listen to the LP versions as you also had to get up and change sides.

Being released in 1987, this is an early totally digital release, just as digital recordings were getting to be very good. It is has a nice crisp, clean sound. There is also a good dynamic range. But, it is a little too bright and has an unnatural sound. It is why there were analog and vinyl snobs in the 1980's. In 1987, when this CD was released, it was a very interesting sound, but now, CD and digital technology have improved. This is one album that could use some light remastering.

There are some great songs on this CD. Eveyone has their preferences, and mine are proabably different than others. I think the middle of the CD is very strong, especially with Fragile, Rock Steady, They Dance Alone and Sister Moon.

Unlike others, I don't like his version of Jimi Hendrix's Little Wing. I think it is the weakest version of the song I have heard. And after that I think the CD ends on a wimper with The Secret Marriage.



April 1, 2008

Sting's Best Album (Sans The Police)

Eight of the twelve tracks are fantastic, and only one is noticeably bad. The Lazarus Heart, Be Still my Beating Heart, and if it weren't for the chorus, Straight to my Heart, stand among Sting's best works. His sultry rendition of Little Wing is astounding; I've never before or after heard Sting's voice sound so good and the strangely haunting, yet fitting guitar work make the notes palpable. However, the CD's sound quality unfortunately suffers from a purely digital recording in what was still CD's embryonic stage. But despite the sheer-miss that is We'll be Together, the superfluous, The Secret Marriage (at the very least it should've come before Little Wing, and not tried to follow it) and the completely misplaced Rock Steady, the remaining tracks range from damn fine to masterful, and as a work that stands as a tribute and a memorial to the worst loss a son ever and, inevitably, will face, the album is an exquisite achievement. October 5, 2007

Excellent Album

Nothing Like the Sun is a teriffic album & a worthy succesor to Dream of the Blue turtles. Although this sequel isn't quite as strong musically from beginning to end as Dream of the Blue turtles was, there are still some really fantastic songs here. Some of the highlights include:

1. "Englishman in New York" - An upbeat & jazzy tune which is fantastic & which also features Branford Marsalis playing superb sax as always.

2. "Be still my beating heart". A great song with a very memorable bass line.

3."Fragile" - A very lush & beautiful acoustic ballad that Sting sings with conviction about our fragile world. Probably the best environmental song ever!

4."We'll be together" - A teriffic fast paced pop/rock single.

And Last but not least...

5."They Dance Alone" - A solemn but moving song about the plight of widowed women in central america. Features vocals by actor/musician Reuben Blades.


All in all, this is a great album with some of the best songs Sting has ever done & it is a must own for any true fan.
September 12, 2007

Definate Must Have

My favorite songs on this cd are 'Little Wing', 'Be Still My Beating Heart', and 'Sister Moon'. The Spanish version of this cd (Nada Como el Sol) contains 'Mariposa Libre' which he does a beautiful job on, his accent is great. These cd's are definately worth paying full price for, you won't be sorry. March 19, 2007

I'm Stung by Sting

Not too long ago, I reviewed Sting's debut album, Dream of the Blue Turtles, as much as I love that recording, this album is where Sting truly shines as an artist.

I have a few favorites on this CD, Englishman In New York...always reminds me of my grandfather for some reason, The Lazarus Heart, and a knock out version of Jimi Hendrix's, Little Wing. Even though I am a huge fan of Hendrix, I really love this version of this song. The whole album was very thoughtfully constructed and emotionally created. Although I do not know Sting personally, I get this feeling that he's pretty down to earth. Whenever I listen to him, I feel a little more grounded, a little more in touch with my own creativity, and a little more centered and better able to deal with my fellow human. I don't fully know why this is, I haven't fully analyzed the whole thing, I just feel more gracious to the human species after listening to Sting. Of course, I could quickly put on Marilyn Manson and lose the feeling, but I think I'll stick with Sting.

For the longest time I had a poster sized version of the cover art for this album hanging up on my wall. I recently retired it to the garage. I guess it's not too "cool" to post your influences up on the wall when you're 41. At least, that's what my wife thinks. She has a vested interest in my "coolness" because if I'm a dork, she's an even bigger dork because she married me. But sometimes I go out to that lonely old garage where I have my records and my old turntable and my old furniture from my bachelor days...hey, I just noticed something...all of MY STUFF IS IN THE GARAGE...what the hell is that about...oh, well...but I go in that garage and I listen to my Miles Davis, my Stan Getz, my Sting and I just allow myself to put things in perspective. I don't get over analytical and I don't get too sentimental, I just find a way to integrate the two like yin and yang. I feel Sting does the same on this album. This, his second recording after the Police, is slowly moving away from the poppiness of his former band, and into the visionary dreaminess that would trademark much of his work.

I love this recording and I know you will, too, but then again, what do I know? I'm just the grandson of an Englishman in San Dimas.

Peace & Blessings,
john 'the Light Coach' January 2, 2007

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