Much good can be said about this CD. However, there are also points of criticism, although paradoxically these points can hardly be separated from what makes this CD special. But let's start schoolmaster-like: Sting has so much air on his voice that the result sounds, to put it bluntly, rather shit. His elongated vowels are also very curious. Many classical singers can make such a sound blossom very
… beautifully, and many pop singers can perhaps do it even better. But Sting is not Joan Baez, just to name one. Still, Sting deserves the benefit of the doubt, because he does know what the music is about. His ability to penetrate deep into Dowland's melancholy is simply impressive. Sometimes these interpretations are so direct that you tend to turn away in embarrassment. Actually, the tracks with a four-times dubbed Sting are the most natural, because the singer is more on his own territory here. All in all, a CD on which you can have anything for or against, but which will not leave anyone indifferent. (HJ)more
