I've always found Sting's solo music amazing, at least until the mid 90's. Albums like Nothing Like The Sun, The Soul Cages and Ten Summoner's Tales are fantastic. Specially The Soul Cages, which is actually his most personal work.

In my opinion, Sting is a well-read musician who has also made interesting attempts to blend pop with other styles. And he is incredibly gifted for melodies.

I've observed that this view hasn't many followers. Some people like The Police, but there doesn't seem to be many people who think Sting's solo records are amazing, like I do. Sting isn't cool enough, many people think.

Any Sting followers out there?

[Edited 8/10/11 11:25am]

Javi said:

I've always found Sting's solo music amazing, at least until the mid 90's. Albums like Nothing Like The Sun, The Soul Cages and Tem Summoner's Tales are fantastic. Specially The Soul Cages, which is actually his most personal work.

In my opinion, Sting is a well-read musician who has also made interesting attempts to blend pop with other styles. And he is incredibly gifted for melodies.

I've observed that this view hasn't many followers. Some people like The Police, but there doesn't seem to be many people who think Sting's solo records are amazing, like I do. Sting isn't cool enough, many people think.

Any Sting followers out there?

I loved his debut, and the 3 albums after that. Since then, I have lost interest in him.

I love all his solo albums especially ...Nothing Like The Sun ( so amazing) & The Soul Cages. i wasn't too jazzed about Brand New Day but then I fell in love with Sacred Love despite it being his most commercial album.

His forays into lute music and other things have not grabbed me.

...

I loved everything up to Ten Summoner's Tales, but not mutch after that--parts of Brand New Day....

I do remember that in 1987, Sting's Nothing Like The Sun and Prince's Sign O' The Times were my two favorite releases of the year...

A couple of my favorite performances:

Sting I Burn For You (from "Bring On The Night" - Love Omar Hakim on the drums!)

Sting - Seven Days (Love Vinnie Colaiuta on drums here)

...

[Edited 8/10/11 14:20pm]

paligap said:

...

I loved everything up to Ten Summoner's Tales, but not mutch after that--parts of Brand New Day....

I do remember that in 1987, Sting's Nothing Like The Sun and Prince's Sign O' The Times were my two favorite releases of the year...

A couple of my favorite performances:

Sting I Burn For You (from "Bring On The Night" - Love Omar Hakim on the drums!)

Sting - Seven Days (Love Vinnie Colauita on drums here)

...

[Edited 8/10/11 12:13pm]

I agree. The first moment I was disappointed was with Mercury Falling (although now it has been somewhat reivindicated with Johny Cash's version of I Hung My Head). And with Brand New Day I have the same opinion as you: some brilliant songs, but an irregular album.

I really dig his solo output, some more than others though. Blue Turtles is a great record, Nothing LIke the Sun has great songs but lousy production imo, Soul Cages is his deep album. Summoner's Tales is my favorite. It balanced everything right imo. Great songs, great band, great production, etc. He never topped that one I don't think. I really do like Brand New Day and Sacred Love too, I like how he mixes club music into some of the productions. I even liked the album of John Dowland pieces although I don't really think he has the voice for most of it.

Seems like he's given up on writing new stuff though. It's been ages since he put out a new album of original stuff.

I stopped after The Soul Cages.

HIs public image, singles etc were pretty dull, but Soul Cages had some moments, I found myself wondering if I should listen to the albums I had missed.

Dream of Blue Turtles and Soul Cages are outstanding. The last album that I liked every song on was Brand New Day. Since then I haven't found any of his CD's compelling enough to buy but I do listen to his older solo albums I enjoy.

Ten Summoner's Tales and Mercury Falling contain gorgeous metaphorical songs and intricate ballads like "The Shape of My Heart", "The Hounds of Winter" and "I Was Brought To My Senses". I skipped Brand New Day and lost interest altogether after 2003's Sacred Love.

How about his movie career? I think he did some stage plays too.