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 Sting - Sacred Love A&M/Universal  Sting has gone
from being a rock'n roll rogue to spiritual wiseman in the span
of just a few years. On the cover of "Sacred Love" the
singer even looks like a saintly cat! "Sacred Love"
like the albums before it has a sense of importance, lyrical weight
riding on pretty catchy tunes. Sting has always had a fascinating
way of articulating his journey inward such as on his "The
Soul Cages" album inspired by the death of his father. His
last CD "Brand New Day" was a huge worldwide seller
spawning the hit "Desert Rose." You won't find anything
as innovative or commercial on "Sacred Love" but it
works just as well as a complete album. Though the artist is not
pleased with world events he still can make a rant sound pretty
damn catchy as in "This War." The tune - a real rocker
- was inspired by the war in Iraq, Sting sings "Invest in
deadly weapons, and those little cotton Flags, Invest in Wooden
caskets, In guns and body bags." The moral? You may get rich
but the war will eat your soul. "Stolen Car" could be
the script of a movie with Sting's first person account of a thief's
thoughts as he drives away with someone car. It's an interesting
perspective as we thief wonders what his own life would be like
if he owned this car. "Dead Man's Rope," one of the
most commercial tunes has Sting stretching his octaves, almost
sounding like Lyle Lovett. Another highlight is his duet with
Mary J. Blige, "Whenever I Say Your Name," with a chorus
that revisits one of his older tunes "We'll be together."
"Sacred Love" features an angry introspective Sting
but the guys in his element and the formula works. If there's
a bad album in his future it isn't coming anytime soon. - By John
Beaudin  DVD - Inside - The Songs Of "Sacred Love" A&M - Universal Sting is certainly not a quick
study. The singer is one of those sensitive complicated duds
and getting to know him requires a long journey. More than a
concert film this DVD serves as a glimpse into his album building
process. "Inside" - The Songs of Sacred Love has no
intro jumping straight into Sting and band on stage in the dimly
lit Mayan Theatre in L.A. performing a stripped down version
of "Send Your Love." The sound is crisp and clean
and visually the lighting gives the scene a close sense of intimacy.
Back up vocalist, Joy Rose, is yet another reminder that sting
knows the importance of surrounding himself with 'A' list musicians,
she is simply breathtaking. Sting and band explain their muse
after each song and especially interesting is the relationship
between the singer and guitarist Dominic Miller. Like an old
married couple their sarcastic lighthearted jabs at each other
serves as a thin disguise for respect and challenging chemistry.
At one point Sting says that he's really not a very good guitarist
but points out how in awe he is of Miller's chops. One of my
favorite songs on the "Sacred Love," "Dead Mans
Rope" is slowed down and played sans drum kit giving a
great tune even more expression. The DVD jumps from concert
footage to clips of the band actually creating the songs at
stings home in Malibu, California with the singer explaining
that recording at home is a lot more fun for the musicians and
"It's good for the house." The singer also explains
the thicker heavier emotional feel on the album. "When
you string all the songs together you see an underlying theme.
It was a difficult time to be creative," referring to September
11th. "There's a certain amount of confusion and dread
on the record as well as great joy and hope," says Sting.
As great as the musician in the fold are and as much as Sting
gives them room to build on the DVD there's never any mistake
on who is really quarterbacking the CD. There seems to be a
relaxing yet stimulating feel to this DVD making the watcher
almost part of it all. Expect a few Police songs, two featuring
Sting and pianist Jason Rebello who never takes his eyes off
sting as they turn "Walking on the Moon" and "Roxanne"
into Jazz numbers. Though mostly in the background Smooth Jazzer
Chris
Botti is featured
on trumpet and as expected Mary J. Blige duets on "Whenever
I Say Your Name." The bonus track has Sting and band doing
the Police signature tune "Every Breath You Take"
in of course another reinvented style. Good visuals, even better
sound and lots of intimate spots makes this DVD a great companion
to the CD. - by John
Beaudin
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