User Reviews

Sting sings medieval Englsish songs? Interesting. This low key production showcases the talent of the entertainer Sting. This show also introduces the audience to a genre of music from 500 years ago and not surprisingly the music stands the test of time. The songs, though obscure, are quite charming and as performed by Sting brings alive some really beautiful music. This show also offers a further example of how fleeting is time and gives one cause to pause and think about how bards of the past who are now all but forgotten were in their time the stars of their day, traveling throughout Europe. Congratulations to Sting and company for showcasing an impressive retrospective of music from the past.

This special from PBS chronicles Sting's playing, performing, and recording the music of one John Dowland, a songwriter and musician from the 16th century. To perform the songs as they sounded then, Sting plays the lute and collaborates with Edin Karamazov, an expert on Dowland's music. We also get biographical information from a couple of historians, David Pinto and Anthony Rooley. And, yes, Sting performs throughout, either for an audience or in a yard somewhere. Near the end, he also gets a chorus with him. While I found most of the special fascinating, I was a little frustrated that I couldn't understand everything Sting was singing perhaps because the English language was slightly different then or maybe I am not too familiar with the songs to really decipher the meanings behind the words or feelings being described. Nevertheless, the special and the music was compelling and maybe I'll get the CD.