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Ten Summoner's Tales |  | Artist: Sting
Label: Polydor Group
Category: Music
List Price: £14.99
Buy New: £5.10
as of 25/11/2009 20:58 GMT details
You Save: £9.89 (66%)
New (25) Used (12) Collectible (2) from £3.40
Seller: youwantit-wegotit
Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 4468
Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Running Time: 57 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 731454099721
EAN: 0731454099721
ASIN: B00000GAGY
Release Date: June 11, 2001
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | If I Ever Lose My Faith In You | | • | Love Is Stronger Than Justice (The Munificent Seven) | | • | Fields Of Gold | | • | Heavy Cloud No Rain | | • | She's Too Good For Me | | • | Seven Days | | • | Saint Augustine In Hell | | • | It's Probably Me | | • | Everybody Laughed But You | | • | Shape Of My Heart | | • | Something The Boy Said | | • | Epilogue (Nothing 'Bout Me) | | • | If I Ever Lose My Faith In You |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Taking it's name from one of Chaucer's ICanterbury Tales/I, ITen Summoner's Tales/I is one of Sting's most accessible and optimistic albums. His new-found positivity suggests that the artist had finally recovered from the death of both his parents, which were so poignantly dealt with on his previous releases INothing Like The Sun/I and ISoul Cages/I. As the title suggests, the album also has mediaeval connections, apparent on biblical track titles such as "Saint Augustine In Hell" and "Fields of Gold". Moreover, in true Chaucerian style the album even has a "Prologue" and an "Epilogue". Even though the tone of the tracks on ITen Summoner's Tales/I is less melancholic than earlier albums, Sting still retains the ability to write deep, informed lyrics; "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" and "It's Probably Me" are typically classic Sting moments. --IJohn Galilee/I
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 9
 The definitive Sting album. April 5, 2001
14 out of 15 found this review helpful
A conceptual masterpiece, Ten Summoner's Tales must surely rank as the definitive Sting album. We're all familiar with the rathermore stereotypical Sting tunes, like Englishman in New York and his more recent releases. However, despite a prominent re-assertion into the otherwise painfully turgid pop world of today - something for which Sting must be congratulated - one wonders if he will ever again reach the musical heights achieved on this album.pThe successor to the morbid The Soul Cages, an album excessively derided by the critics, Ten Summoner's Tales turned the tables for Sting and showcased his skills as one of the most talented musicians anywhere. Armed with a trio of infallible session musicians, (drummers might like to note Vinnie Colaiuta's inimitable contribution here) Sting set about creating his most musical, listenable and amusing album to date. pThe opener, If I Ever Lose My Faith In You is a great pop song, carried along by an infectious groove, and accompanied by a simplicity which makes it instantly listenable. Fields of Gold provides a mellow mood, and is a firm favourite from the album. Other noteable tracks are the fantastic Seven Days, the sublime Shape of My Heart and the moving Something The Boy Said. Really though, there is only one way to enjoy this album, and no review is going to do it justice. So do yourself a favour, and stick in the CD player. After several listenings I'm sure you'll agree that this is the Sting album.
Yes, this must be THE ULTIMATE Sting album! March 28, 2002
M. D. Rathbone (Runcorn, Cheshire - UK)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
Not being a very big Sting fan, although admiring most of his work with The Police I remember hearing the singles Lose my faith and Fields of Gold from this album on the radio and thought I'd chance the album... and I wasn't disappointed as it has remained one of my favourites ever since.pThe stand-out track has to be Shape of my Heart which is a beautiful masterpiece, but there are some other classics including more narrative pieces such as Love is stronger than justice and Saint Augustine in Hell and the joyous fun of Seven Days which includes the great line asked if I am mouse or man; the mirror squeaked, away I ran. Great stuff!pDefinately not typical Sting and not a good intro to his lighter, pop abilities but still his best work represented here in the depth of lyrics, depth of music, atmosphere and oh I'm running out of words... just buy it and hear for yourself!
Sting grow's up and grow's wiser September 10, 2000
14 out of 18 found this review helpful
Criticisms about rain-forests, the acrimonious split from The Police, and the accusations of Sting's 'getting soppy' aside, Ten Summoner's Tales is a fatastic album marking a true landmark in the 90s and probably the high-point of Sting's individual career. The album is intelligently crafted and apart from Something The Boy Said (another criticism of war), the album is pre-occupied with love, lust, sex and relationships. This accounts for the overwhelming optimism of this album over The Soul Cages (1990) which was more melancholy in the face of personal traumas.pPersonally, I think Seven Days epitomises the spirit of Sting. It is in 5/4 which should give the song a slightly jumpy feel, however the excellence of the session musicians and Stings singing mask this time signature anomaly. The song also shows a more tongue-in-cheek approach to courting, and at best must be the experience of many Englishman. IQ is no problem here/ We wont be playing scrabble for her hand I fear/ I need that beer. The problems of vying for a womans attention when someone bigger is also trying (and succeeding) are the reasons why this song should remain a perennial favourite with the English male.pThis being said, Fields of Gold is lavishly arranged, and yet sounds sparse, gentle and serene. The simple 4/4 clicks of the drums, the intricate Spanish guitar and the simple bass heartbeat under a lyric focusing on pure, genuine love (something all people crave)make this one of the publics favourite Sting songs.pTwo other songs deserving specific mention are She's Too Good For Me and It's Probably Me.pShe's Too Good is a funny glance at how men are fundamentally different from women. Sting focuses on smell, jokes, cooking, friends, drugs, etc, etc. The song expresses this amidst a very busy arrangement which sounds raucous and dynamic. Also note the amazing bass line which is as busy as the lyric. Yet whilst the song reels of a list of offences which make HER better than HIM, Sting queries in the bridge: Would she prefer it if I washed myself more often than I do?/ Would she prefer it if I took her to an opera too?. And instead of an affirmative answer, Sting makes one of the most observant remarks about relationships EVER: I could distort myself to be the perfect man/ But she might prefer me as I am. Ha ha. We're to love, and be loved warts and all.pThe second half of the album is far more chilled and can soothe the roughest spirit. It's Probably Me is something of a gear change after Saint Augustine, but oozes charm and charisma. The guitar part is the most prominent tool in this, but the sensitive use of Strings and Synthesizers makes this one of the most intelligent albums of not only the early nineties, but ever.pSting has encapsulated throughout the album something definitively British musically, despite the Munificent Seven (something from the wild west). And the lyrics are like a wise sage passing on advice to a younger pupil.pI could rave about this album for years, but suffice to say that each listening renders a new gem. Whether Sting will recapture this form ever again is doubtful, but then he is older and may view his optimism in 1993 in more cynical terms now. If there is one Sting album to own it is this one: Funny and Sad, Loud and Quiet, Passionate and Pensive, something for every emotion. But it should be remembered that Sting's current marriage is successful for numerous reasons, most prominently Tantric sex and that's a topic we're not educated about.
Wonderful August 20, 2000
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a brilliant album and contains one of all time favourite songs Fields of Gold. The music is classic Sting and I much prefer it to any of his more recent offerings. The lyrics are meaningful and , as always with Sting, seem to tell a story. I have listened to this album again and again as I never get fed up of it.
Sting - at his very best February 27, 2008
S. N. Hodgson
No finer or more accesible poetry - this is the finest of all Sting's albums. Mercury Falling comes close, but his was his zenith. The whole album is superb, conjuring clear images and drawing the listener into each situation described. Shape of my heart remains unmatched by any track, ever, yes, EVER, by anyone. The combination of Sting's self-harmonising passion, poetry and musical perfectionism with Larry Adler's very soul (harminica)... mere words are not enough. If I could take a single album to a desert island it would be this. A single track? Shape of my heart.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 9
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