Comments on: A Letter to Sting and His Lute http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/ Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:57:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: nate http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-15481 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 01:23:28 +0000 http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-15481 Though I certainly don't agree with Sting that rock music has gotten boring,* I am incredibly glad he's made this recording. I'm (by trade) a specialist in early music, and to have someone as visible as Sting (whether or not he's still particularly relevant as a rock musician) is, in my book, a superbly awesome thing. The lute playing on his Dowland record is not the most historically-minded, nor is Sting's voice the sort I'd expect to be singing Dowland; all the same, I found it quite musically satisfying. (hope none of my musicologist friends hear me saying that). The fact that it ain't loud doesn't mean it's not groundbreaking. And, seriously, there's musical merit in looking backwards. We still listen to those old Police records - and to Zeppelin, the Beatles, and any number of older rock groups. Why not look back at even older popular music? Sure, it won't rock your face. But whoever said all music had to? Can't music - sometimes - just be beautiful? *(at least not entirely - I haven't listened to non-college rock radio since high school, but there are lots of bands doing really incredible stuff, and there are still too many haven't heard.) Though I certainly don’t agree with Sting that rock music has gotten boring,* I am incredibly glad he’s made this recording. I’m (by trade) a specialist in early music, and to have someone as visible as Sting (whether or not he’s still particularly relevant as a rock musician) is, in my book, a superbly awesome thing. The lute playing on his Dowland record is not the most historically-minded, nor is Sting’s voice the sort I’d expect to be singing Dowland; all the same, I found it quite musically satisfying. (hope none of my musicologist friends hear me saying that).

The fact that it ain’t loud doesn’t mean it’s not groundbreaking. And, seriously, there’s musical merit in looking backwards. We still listen to those old Police records - and to Zeppelin, the Beatles, and any number of older rock groups. Why not look back at even older popular music?

Sure, it won’t rock your face. But whoever said all music had to?

Can’t music - sometimes - just be beautiful?

*(at least not entirely - I haven’t listened to non-college rock radio since high school, but there are lots of bands doing really incredible stuff, and there are still too many haven’t heard.)

]]> by: France http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-7961 Sat, 12 May 2007 22:52:18 +0000 http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-7961 I know that I am late in this game but the letter was pretty right on. I am a 48 yr. old female and I love all kinds of music. I love Itunes. It is a relief to pick and choose your own music. I have discovered so many new and interesting bands. Stings, you have so much to learn. After the Soul Cages he really started to lose it. Man! with all that talent, you would think he could come up with something brilliant these days. But no. He thinks he is so above it all. He thinks he can get everybody grooving to 16th century music. He is such a letdown. Almost embarrasing! Quite frankly, I doubt his most loyal fans could stay awake to his lute. I know that I am late in this game but the letter was pretty right on. I am a 48 yr. old female and I love all kinds of music. I love Itunes. It is a relief to pick and choose your own music. I have discovered so many new and interesting bands. Stings, you have so much to learn.
After the Soul Cages he really started to lose it. Man! with all that talent, you would think he could come up with something brilliant these days. But no. He thinks he is so above it all. He thinks he can get everybody grooving to 16th century music. He is such a letdown. Almost embarrasing!
Quite frankly, I doubt his most loyal fans could stay awake to his lute.

]]> by: Steve http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-7873 Thu, 10 May 2007 18:30:19 +0000 http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-7873 Spot on. Sting on the current state of music is like hearing your Grandfather suffering from demensia talk about how they just landed someone on the Moon. Totally clueless. He is a shameless, SHAMELESS, self-promoter, as his remark was perfectly timed to the release of the "lute album." His music is below Kenny G--at least Ken knows his place on the music-credibility totem pole. Long live Wilco, The Arcade Fire, et al. Spot on. Sting on the current state of music is like hearing your Grandfather suffering from demensia talk about how they just landed someone on the Moon. Totally clueless. He is a shameless, SHAMELESS, self-promoter, as his remark was perfectly timed to the release of the “lute album.”

His music is below Kenny G–at least Ken knows his place on the music-credibility totem pole.

Long live Wilco, The Arcade Fire, et al.

]]> by: libera http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-3564 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 23:05:06 +0000 http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-3564 i'am really impressed!! i’am really impressed!!

]]> by: John http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-1211 Tue, 20 Feb 2007 12:14:34 +0000 http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-1211 I am therefore in agreement with Mojosaan. Punk and New Wave (also electronica) was a reaction against the overly large numbers of stadium rock bands of the 1970's music was becoming sterile and boring. Even David Bowie was moving radically away from the heavy Glam Rock he was famous for during that decade. he evolved with each album, reaching new levels of mastery with each successive album. Come on, put on 3 albums by Tool, The Killers and what do you have? These guys are throwbacks to their 1970's forerunners. Music has to grow, evolve and change. That was the appeal of rock music. Something new would always happen, new trends and styles would be established - you had Beatlemania, Psychedelic Rock, Mod Rock (Bands like the Faces), Punk Rock, New Wave, Grunge, Electronic Rock (Nine Inch Nails) and so on... This is the problem we have today. People think 'if it is a rock band' - whopee! the more noise they can generate - the better. Anyone, and I mean anyone, can make a noise on a guitar set to Death Metal or Heavy Metal. I tried it myself from a friend (who was into those genres) and it sounded like something. Only problem is / was - I can't play even one note of guitar. So there. I am therefore in agreement with Mojosaan. Punk and New Wave (also electronica) was a reaction against the overly large numbers of stadium rock bands of the 1970’s music was becoming sterile and boring. Even David Bowie was moving radically away from the heavy Glam Rock he was famous for during that decade. he evolved with each album, reaching new levels of mastery with each successive album. Come on, put on 3 albums by Tool, The Killers and what do you have? These guys are throwbacks to their 1970’s forerunners. Music has to grow, evolve and change. That was the appeal of rock music. Something new would always happen, new trends and styles would be established - you had Beatlemania, Psychedelic Rock, Mod Rock (Bands like the Faces), Punk Rock, New Wave, Grunge, Electronic Rock (Nine Inch Nails) and so on…

This is the problem we have today. People think ‘if it is a rock band’ - whopee! the more noise they can generate - the better. Anyone, and I mean anyone, can make a noise on a guitar set to Death Metal or Heavy Metal. I tried it myself from a friend (who was into those genres) and it sounded like something. Only problem is / was - I can’t play even one note of guitar. So there.

]]> by: John http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-1207 Tue, 20 Feb 2007 11:53:27 +0000 http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-1207 There are too many rock bands out there - no one stands out. Is there one band that has a distinctive style, something very different from the guitar thrashing / one dimensional power chording the staple diet of the rock youth of today? There are too many rock bands out there - no one stands out. Is there one band that has a distinctive style, something very different from the guitar thrashing / one dimensional power chording the staple diet of the rock youth of today?

]]> by: The Police and Van Halen are reuniting! Who cares? at HearYa: An Indie Music Blog http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-1003 Fri, 16 Feb 2007 21:24:49 +0000 http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-1003 [...] Let me just say that I grew up with The Police, loved them and still think that they put out of some of the finest records of our generation, but at this point in my life I have no real desire to shell out over $200 for a decent seat to hear Sting, Andy and Stewart bang out their greatest hits. I’d rather shell out $8 to see a band at The Empty Bottle. Why you may ask? Well, the main difference between The Police and said band at The Empty Bottle is simple. Hunger. [...] […] Let me just say that I grew up with The Police, loved them and still think that they put out of some of the finest records of our generation, but at this point in my life I have no real desire to shell out over $200 for a decent seat to hear Sting, Andy and Stewart bang out their greatest hits. I’d rather shell out $8 to see a band at The Empty Bottle. Why you may ask? Well, the main difference between The Police and said band at The Empty Bottle is simple. Hunger. […]

]]> by: Rhythms Del Mundo on NPR at HearYa: An Indie Music Blog http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-375 Thu, 25 Jan 2007 17:50:53 +0000 http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-375 [...] Buena Vista Social Club is responsible for laying down the instrumentals. This NPR broadcast has an interview with Young and sample tracks by Sting, Ibrahim Ferrer, Coldplay, and the Arctic Monkeys. You can hear the interview below. Feel free to fast-forward to hear the song samples. [...] […] Buena Vista Social Club is responsible for laying down the instrumentals. This NPR broadcast has an interview with Young and sample tracks by Sting, Ibrahim Ferrer, Coldplay, and the Arctic Monkeys. You can hear the interview below. Feel free to fast-forward to hear the song samples. […]

]]> by: Mojosaan http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-242 Thu, 04 Jan 2007 18:27:21 +0000 http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-242 Opinions are like a-holes, everyone's got one. However, looking at what's being played on MTV and the radio these days, I cannot help but be bored because over half of the "rock and roll" songs sound the same, sans, a few licks, hollas, and ivory tickling. I also agree with Sting that rock and roll music has come to a stand still. Out of all of the new bands and/or songs these days, can you name any that will have the impact similar to the likes of Zeppelin, Rush, Pink Floyd, Queen, The Police, and CCR? This has nothing to do with the bands but a simple function of the development of music. Until someone comes up with something so new and magical, then it might do the music industry some good to go back and see if some of the old music holds more surprises. I don't see why trends in clothing fashion cannot hold true for music? A few months back I saw Sting perform a tribute to James Taylor. No backup band, just Sting and an odd guitar. I really didn't care for the song but Sting's performance was so unqiue that it was a lot of fun hearing and watching his performance. Yes it was 16th Century-ish, no it could not survive radio play, but it was the most unique and new performance that it was very entertaining. I think that's what Sting was getting behind, that there are only so many cord and notes that a guitar, bass and drums can play and there are only so many arrangements for them until you repeat yourself. So, why not change instruments to try and tap into the subconscious for something new. Anyhow, that's just my opinion. Namaste! Opinions are like a-holes, everyone’s got one. However, looking at what’s being played on MTV and the radio these days, I cannot help but be bored because over half of the “rock and roll” songs sound the same, sans, a few licks, hollas, and ivory tickling. I also agree with Sting that rock and roll music has come to a stand still. Out of all of the new bands and/or songs these days, can you name any that will have the impact similar to the likes of Zeppelin, Rush, Pink Floyd, Queen, The Police, and CCR? This has nothing to do with the bands but a simple function of the development of music. Until someone comes up with something so new and magical, then it might do the music industry some good to go back and see if some of the old music holds more surprises. I don’t see why trends in clothing fashion cannot hold true for music? A few months back I saw Sting perform a tribute to James Taylor. No backup band, just Sting and an odd guitar. I really didn’t care for the song but Sting’s performance was so unqiue that it was a lot of fun hearing and watching his performance. Yes it was 16th Century-ish, no it could not survive radio play, but it was the most unique and new performance that it was very entertaining.

I think that’s what Sting was getting behind, that there are only so many cord and notes that a guitar, bass and drums can play and there are only so many arrangements for them until you repeat yourself. So, why not change instruments to try and tap into the subconscious for something new. Anyhow, that’s just my opinion. Namaste!

]]> by: Katye http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-72 Sat, 02 Dec 2006 15:05:19 +0000 http://www.hearya.com/2006/10/26/a-letter-to-sting/#comment-72 I know I'm a bit late with the comment, but I just wanted to thank you for saying in print what I've been spewing out of my mouth for years. Of course, you said it more eloquently (I usually just mutter "Liked The Police, hate Sting") but I could not agree with you more. What makes me chuckle even more is that Gordon is going around performing the lute-ified version of "Fields of Gold" on every morning show under the sun, yet it isn't even on the album. How's that for a "Look at me! Look at me!" persona? Whatever blows your skirt up, I guess. I know I’m a bit late with the comment, but I just wanted to thank you for saying in print what I’ve been spewing out of my mouth for years. Of course, you said it more eloquently (I usually just mutter “Liked The Police, hate Sting”) but I could not agree with you more. What makes me chuckle even more is that Gordon is going around performing the lute-ified version of “Fields of Gold” on every morning show under the sun, yet it isn’t even on the album. How’s that for a “Look at me! Look at me!” persona? Whatever blows your skirt up, I guess.

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