Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 67
 Thoughtful and beautifully judged winter album... October 20, 2009
D. Dunn (Stockton, UK)
55 out of 58 found this review helpful
Weaving through all the songs on Sting's latest album "If On A Winter's Night..." are the themes of winter, ghosts and spirits, religion and the pull of home back to loved and missed ones. The musicians and singers complement the songs impeccably - the Northumbrian pipes of Kathryn Tickell are so evocative of the the northeast and are an instant reminder to older fans of his classic 1991 album "The Soul Cages", an album that drew heavily on his roots. Stand out tracks include "Christmas At Sea", a poem written by Robert Louis Stevenson that is combined with the Gaelic song "Thograinn Thograinn" and provides one of the most evocative songs that Sting has recorded. "Soul Cake" is a very catchy song that is guaranteed to etch its way into your subconscious after the first listen and is the most immediate track on the album; "The Snow It Melts The Soonest" is a hauntingly beautiful Northumbrian track; "The Burning Babe" contrasts a macabre tale with a jolly tune to great effect, and Sting combines his own lyrics to a piece of Bach on the melancholic "You Only Cross My Mind In Winter". Taken with traditional Christmas songs such as "Gabriel's Message" and the "Cherry Tree Carol", some reworkings of older songs such as "The Hounds of Winter" and "Lullaby To An Anxious Child", and more obscure pieces from centuries past such as "Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming" and "Now Winter Comes Slowly" means that Sting delivers a thoughtful and beautifully judged seasonally themed album without once having to mention reindeer, snowmen or Santa Claus.
Brilliant-eventually!! November 6, 2009
Mr. K. Grewcock (Salisbury , England)
13 out of 15 found this review helpful
Has the cd for a few days and listened to it many times. I've also compared all the reviews thus far. I see where the negative ones come from and I know what they mean. For me personally it is an album that you put the headphones on and put your feet up, close the door and enjoy, I love it. It does grow on you and you have to take the album as a whole and thankfully Sting explains clearly in the liner notes why he's done this. People love to put this guy down if it's not in the mould we're use to then "it's no good". I think Sting fans go musically where they wouldn't normally so if someone else did this you may think-hmmm,no thanks. Usually you can put a Sting album on and go about your day but not this one, it's too thoughtful and reflective. However it's uplifting and I personally recommend it. He didn't take the cheesy Christmas album line that was suggested to him and has come up with something constructive and worthwhile. Plenty of listening will reveal it is in many respects typically 'Sting' and that what makes it so good . You can also see a little of what has influenced him in the past in his songwriting. Maybe as winter really sets in, we'll really take on board the lyrics as well as the beautifully arranged music.
beautiful November 2, 2009
G. Francis (Scotland, UK)
24 out of 29 found this review helpful
I'm sad to see the bad reviews as this album is beautiful. After Songs from the Labyrinth it would have been nice to have a new 'rock' album from Sting, but nevertheless, this album shows the usual care and attention Sting brings to his music. The traditional songs are anything but pretentious, and I wonder if the reviewers who find them so are just objecting to being educated a little, surely if these are pretentious then so are the Christmas carols we sing every year? The album also includes 'Lullaby for an anxious child' a B side I've been hunting for since I lost my cassette copy of the single it was on - so that's worth it alone!
Sting doesn't need to ever produce any new music every again, and I like to be taken on these little adventures into the past with him every now and again. Bring on Christmas, snow, log fires and all those traditional Christmas carols and now these forgotten winter songs.
Sting at his best February 5, 2010
W. J. Hutchinson (UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A great album. A totally different style for Sting. Sung more in his native dialect.
Chilly! November 5, 2009
S. Reid (Liverpool)
10 out of 13 found this review helpful
It's interesting to see the negative reviews on here from long term Sting fans. I admire Sting but wouldnt call myself a fan, I only own his Greatest Hits album. Maybe I approached this album with a more open mind and with no baggage which is what makes my opinion differ somewhat - but I absolutely love it.
As a fan of traditional folk songs and the ancient oral traditions of scary stories in winter huddled around the fire, there was always going to be plenty for me to enjoy on this release. Sting and his band of (excellent) musicians have set about creating a rich tapestry of hymns to the dark winter months, drawing heavily on Medieval Christianity, folk stories, ghost stories, folk music and Christmas themes (but not in a cheesy way). Its all played and sung beautifully and Sting should be applauded for stretching his musical palate.
If you love winter or Christmas (or both) you will like this. It's a glass of Mulled Wine by the fire album. Highly recommended.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 67
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