Sting says today's rock is a bore (prefers lute music)

reuters. ^ | Oct 19, 2006 1:16 PM BST

[dennisw]

BERLIN (Reuters) - Sting said contemporary rock music is so stagnant that he prefers to sing 16th century English ballads.

The former teacher who shot to fame as lead singer, bassist and composer in the 1970s and 80s for The Police told German newspaper Die Zeit that he prefers singing songs of Elizabethan lutenist and composer John Dowland to the rock music of today.

His album of Dowland lute music "Songs from the Labyrinth" has topped classical charts on both sides of the Atlantic and entered the UK album chart at No. 24.

"Rock music has come to a standstill -- it's not going forward any more, it only bores me," Die Zeit quoted Sting as saying.

The 55-year-old singer, real name Gordon Sumner, had a string of hits with The Police with songs like "Roxanne" and "Don't Stand So Close To Me". He has since also had a lucrative solo career with songs like "Englishman in New York".

"Forty years ago it was my dream to break out of Newcastle and never be poor again," he told the magazine.

"I'm very privileged. I'm a successful musician, live in a beautiful house, and have a wonderful family."

[sticker]

As long as you don't call Whitesnake a rock band

[sully777]

Rock ping.

IMO Sting is correct. Seems that old school rockers were trying to emulate original R&B, gospel, classical, jazz, flamenco, bluegrass, folk, ethnic-world music and C&W musical pieces. Today, you have groups trying to sound like crappy cover bands of crappy cover bands of Madonna, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, or The Sex Pistols with horrendous results. It's either heavily produced (real bands/singers sound so bad they lip synch and air guitar at their concerts) or its just mindless screaming.

Still, there are a few bands out there that are talented like Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chilis, and Cake to name a few.

[RockinRight]

I was thinking more like:

[dfwgator]

I liked The Police more for Andy Summers guitar work, than for Sting.

[Sue Perkick]

De do do do, de da da
Is all I want to say to you
De do do do, de da da da
Their innocence will pull me through
De do do do, de da da da
Is all I want to say to you
De do do do, de da da da
They're meaningless and all that's true

I agree with Sting to a point but still...

[dfwgator]

Oh I'm sure there are talented bands out there today, that's like saying there are guitarists better than Jimi Hendrix was today.

But what new ground are they breaking?

[ProCivitas]

I've only heard a little of Sting's lute songs, and I don't remember their content other than a pining love song, but good for clarity of lyric.
I've come to prefer folk music or any kind where the ideas of the lyric are front and center. The rest is mostly a "delivery system".
Is that overly utilitarian?

[sully777]

Sorry, I was writing when there was two or three were on the thread but it took forever to post so I pinged you long after you arrived.

[Cecily]

Sixpense None the Richer is good. Leigh Nash has a solo album out, but I haven't heard it yet.

[cripplecreek]

I'm a heavy metal fan so I struggle with the concept of calling Sting a musician anyway. However he has had a couple of made to order acting roles.

[sully777]

...that's like saying there are guitarists better than Jimi Hendrix was today.

---

The great ones always die young except Flea, Getty, Pert, and Eddie.

[wideawake]

I remember being impressed by Caedmon's Call.

[sully777]

It's a simple song until you think that the synchopations are morse code...

[wideawake]

Oh I'm sure there are talented bands out there today, that's like saying there are guitarists better than Jimi Hendrix was today.

Depends on your definition of "better."

There are many guitarists today who are more technically accomplished than Hendrix was, and we likely both agree that he was the technical gold standard in his lifetime.

There were guitarists even in his day who were more accomplished songwriters.

There are guitarists who were and are more creative soloists.

Hendrix was a total package which is unique and unrepeatable.

His true value was being himself, not being "better" than Page or Clapton.

But what new ground are they breaking?

Hendrix' work was firmly rooted in the blues, jazz-style improvisation and British beat-style pop.

He was an innovator but so have been many others, like J Mascis and Thurston Moore.

[the OlLine Rebel]

I agree. It is boring.

Too much twang both in the "voices" and the guitars making constant noise. Almost never any beat. At least, that's the "white" music. It's whiny and grungy and depressing, and they also sound like they are talking through sinus and throat infections. It ain't singing.

The "black" kind (not rap) is too repetitive mostly, but generally it's better than the white garbage.

[Oberon]

Can I miss Chet Atkins? Is that allowed?

[dfwgator]

Well at least we still have Mark Knopfler.

[sully777]

I admit that the perception of Sting and the boys seem trite in their genre but whoever thought of making an entire rock album based on the teachings of various philosophies including FreeMasonry and having that album stay on Billboard Hot 100 for over two years???

---

You consider me the young apprentice
Caught between the Scylla and Charibdes.
Hypnotized by you if I should linger
Staring at the ring around your finger.
I have only come here seeking knowledge,
Things they would not teach me of in college.
I can see the destiny you sold
turned into a shining band of gold.

Wrapped Around Your Finger

[Oberon]

Hendrix was a total package which is unique and unrepeatable.

One might mention Prince. No, he isn't Hendrix...never was...but he's an original, and quite a rock'n'roller in his own way.