In choosing, on Songs from the Labyrinth (Music by John Dowland) and The Journey & The Labyrinth: The Music of John Dowland (DVD & CD), to cover the music of John Dowland (1563-1626), who is known as the "melancholy madrigalist" from his output of cheerful ditties like "Flow My Tears," Sting has entered into a whole new realm of austere eeriness. Originally inspired by the gift of a lute, the rock superstar and activist sings the songs, deliciously sweet and tender or spirited by turn, accompanying himself, with Edin Karamazov sitting on lute and archlute. The overall effect is of a candle-lit, postprandial entertainment in the home of an English gentleman. It is a courageous effort, displaying heartfelt admiration for the composer and a considerable degree of earnest charm. To mark the album's release, Sting was kind enough to send us this list of some of his favorite songs. (You'll find more artists' picks on our main Music You Should Hear page, http://www.amazon.com/mysh)
"Hideaway" ~ Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton, John Mayall This was my guitar album--I learned every song note for note. Eric was taking and reworking ideas from people like Freddie King. When I played guitar with the Blue Turtles band I could work through clichés, but I'm no blues guitarist.
"Sweet Baby James" ~ Sweet Baby James, James Taylor You can scratch the surface of my songs pretty lightly and you'll find someone who wanted to be James Taylor at the age of 14. He's also a brilliant and ridiculously underrated guitar player and blessed with a voice that could melt ice caps.
Rope Ladder to the Moon, Jack Bruce I was actually more keen on Jack's work after he left Cream, especially this superb record. Jack had a certain formalism that attracted me--he wasn't just a plodder. Here was a bass player who sang--which is impossible--and had a jazz sensibility. I finally had a musical role model to look up to.
"The Wind Cries Mary" ~ Are You Experienced, Jimi Hendrix I loved Jimi's harder stuff, but this showed a much gentler and deeper side of him. I recorded a version of this with John McLaughlin, and I've never worked with such an extraordinary guitarist. His musical intelligence is just off the scale.
"Subterranean Homesick Blues" ~ Bringing It All Back Home, Bob Dylan I think this was one of the first videos I remember seeing. I bought the original 45. I love this song. I love the lyrics even though I never quite knew what they meant. It's a great song and he's a great artist and he really inspired me.
"So What" ~ Kind of Blue, Miles Davis I play "So What" almost once a week because I find it stimulating intellectually to hear those guys exploring the range of their talents. You can hear their personalities come through so clearly. A wonderful conversation between instruments.
Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy, Chick Corea/Return to Forever Basically an exercise in demi-semiquavers we used to do in my old band Last Exit. I remember doing a gig with a big band and we supported Return to Forever. I had never seen anything like it!
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" ~ Nevermind, Nirvana The energy of the Sex Pistols linked with a brilliant sense of melody. Kurt used considerable musical intelligence to carefully construct statements that sounded offhand. Link that skill to powerful energies and you've got something unique. I just wish he'd seen music as a way to heal his soul. I do think he would have got to that point eventually.
"Big Bottom" ~ This Is Spinal Tap, Spinal Tap "'Ow much more black could it be? None more black!"
The Ghost of Tom Joad, Bruce Springsteen The great thing about Bruce is that he's exactly as he seems, A great man. On "The Ghost of Tom Joad" I realised very quickly reading the lyrics that he'd upped the stakes. I think it's the best record he's done.
"Shaking the Tree" ~ Shaking the Tree: 16 Golden Greats, Peter Gabriel and Youssou N'Dour I first met Youssou with Peter several years ago when we worked together on an Amnesty tour. Both of them have such extraordinary voices and Peter has done a lot to promote world music in general and that should be acknowledged as it's been a one man crusade on his part.
"Paper Sun" ~ Mr. Fantasy, Traffic I loved the band Traffic for their way of creating a musical universe without these boundaries, because whether it's country, pop, gospel, heavy metal or classical music, it's all a single language, a code.
"Tempted" ~ Singles 45's and Under, Squeeze One of my favourite songs that I never wrote was "Tempted" and I did actually cover it. It's a great song, and Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook are great songwriters. Squeeze were always a great band, and it was nice to cover it.
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