Sting - Symphonicities

In reworking some his classic songs with an orchestral backing, Sting describes his upcoming July 13 album Symphonicities as a "whole new palate of musical colors to work". This "reinvention" of classics from his own songbook is something of a logical third step in the former Police-man's recent flirtation with the classical world, a collaborative Sting-with-strings strategy that began in 2006 with Songs From the Labyrinth -- a lute-fest of early music and folk songs -- and more recently with the holiday-themed On A Winter's Night. In 2008, Sting was a guest performer with the Chicago Symphony and that event proved to be a catalyst for beginning work on this more elaborate undertaking.

Tracks for the new July 13 project (DG/Decca) include lead single "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," along with other selections from The Police songbook including the original reggae-meets-punk songs "Roxanne" and "Next To You." From Sting's solo career we get "Englishman in New York," "I Burn for You," "Why Should I Cry for You," "She's Too Good For Me" and more.Co-produced with Rob Mathes (Bettye Lavette's recent Interpretations) and Sting, the release of Symphonicities will coincide with a world tour featuring Sting's backing quartet and a 45-piece orchestra.

Sting - "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" (from the album Symphonicities)