Songs from the Labyrinth (Music by John Dowland)
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Music CD Cover
Composer: John DowlandPerformer: Sting
Performer: Edin Karamazov
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2006-10-10
Music Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Soundtracks:
- Walsingham
- Can she excuse my wrongs?
- Ryght honorable: as I have bin most bounde unto your honor ?
- Flow my tears
- Have you seen the bright lily grow
- Then in time passing on Mr. Johnson died?
- The Most High and Mighty Christianus the Fourth, King of Denmark
- The lowest trees have tops
- And accordinge as I desired ther cam a letter?
- Fine knacks for ladies
- From thenc I went to the Landgrave of Hessen?
- Fantasy
- Come, heavy sleep
- Forlorn Hope Fancy
- And from thence I had great desire to see Italy?
- Come again
- Wilt thou unkind thus reave me
- After my departure I caled to mynde our conference?
- Weep you no more, sad fountains
- My Lord Willoughby?s Welcome Home
- Clear or cloudy
- Men say that the Kinge of Spain is making gret preparation?
- In darkness let me dwell
Free Music Notes for Songs from the Labyrinth (Music by John Dowland)
Free Music Review: For those who know nothing of period music
Hit: 1 Stars
Amazon's review states that ". . . it's important to remember that music of this period was routinely heard as a casual diversion in private homes, even more often than at Court. It was considered a crucial social skill to be able to join in with an adequate degree of skill, but not everyone was able to negotiate the perilous melodic twists and turns typical of the era's music."
Therein lies the problem, although the reviewer doesn't seem to notice. If the listener has to keep a disclaimer in mind while listening, then it's acknowledged there's something wrong (and, indeed, there is).
Yes, music was heard in the home as a "casual diversion" before the invention of sound recording. The best was available only to those who could afford to pay for live performance. The best is now available to anyone who has the price of a cd, or who listens over internet radio. What reason is there, then, to listen to someone whose performance is amateurish and incomprehending (unless you enjoy weird novelty acts)? Sting doesn't have the vocal range, fluidity, or background knowledge needed to sing this music, and someone should have been brave enough to tell him so.
Sting is superb when he stays within his purview, but here he is like Barbra Streisand trying to sing Led Zeppelin - an embarrassment. For those who are familiar with music of this period, his performance is cringeworthy. For those who have no way of realizing that, it will be merely an oddity.
Songs from the Labyrinth (Music by John Dowland) Poster
In choosing 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," Police bandleader 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. For listeners accustomed to hearing material of this period interpreted by rigorously trained early music stylists, especially countertenors and the like, Sting's sometimes tight-jawed, chest-heavy vocals may seem amateurish. It's undeniable that in four-part harmonies, the singer, tightly overdubbed, comes across like a combination of the Swingle Singers and Queen (meaning Freddy Mercury and crew, NOT the first Elizabeth). But it's important to remember that music of this period was routinely heard as a casual diversion in private homes, even more often than at Court. It was considered a crucial social skill to be able to join in with an adequate degree of skill, but not everyone was able to negotiate the perilous melodic twists and turns typical of the era's music. With this in mind, the overall effect is of a candle-lit, postprandial entertainment in the home of an English gentleman. Muttered readings from Dowland's letters and brief snippets of sampled birdsong aside, it is a courageous effort, displaying heartfelt admiration for the composer and a considerable degree of earnest charm. --Christina RodenSting?'s Songs From The Labyrinth is an album of 17th century music composed by John Dowland and performed on the lute, an ancient acoustic guitar. After being given a lute nearly two years ago as a gift, Sting became fascinated and immersed himself with the instrument and the history of lute music. Reminded of his almost 25 year long enthrallment with the works of John Dowland, the Elizabethan composer who wrote songs for the lute, Sting has recorded a new album of vocal and lute music. All songs were composed by Dowland in the 17th century, but have been given new life in these fresh new recordings by Sting. Sting not only sings all the songs (accompanied by leading lutenist Edin Karamasov, who appears on two Andreas Scholl albums), but also plays lute on two instrumental duets with Edin and reads short extracts from a fascinating autobiographical letter by Dowland. Sting has also written a brilliant account of the album's genesis, along with notes on the individual tracks, which serves as the CD booklet.
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