Sting - If On A Winter's Night
Monday, October 26, 2009 at 2:44AM 
Folk/Pop - "Winter is the season of imagination..more than any other", says Sting reflecting on his new album If On A Winter's Night (October 26, Decca). Taking what he calls the "magical" time of year and applying the experiences of his recent classical and traditional British folk excursion Tales of the Labyrinth, he has emerged with the rarest of seasonal projects -- an album almost completely devoid of any well-known holiday standards. There are the ancient ballads and 14th century, lullabies and even a traditional "begging song." And there are even a couple of Sting originals including a version of "The Hounds of Winter" from his Mercury Falling album."I was drawn to songs that has an ambivalent quality about them," he observes, "because that's how I feel about winter and Christmas generally."
The mood overall is one of somber mystery: you can practically smell candle wax and wood fire along the damp English countryside. Sting, to his credit, doesn't overplay his hand here, singing his carefully chosen selections with an admiring but respectful nod to historical and studied classical stylistic references - which can take the listener aback at times. He also brings in some excellent backup including longtime guitarist Dominic Miller and the stunning Webb Sisters, who flew to New York to record some vocals while on their extended tour with Leonard Cohen. For the hardcore Christmas "carols" music fan, this isn't for you -- but if you found his Labyrinth of interest or have a taste for some dusted-off Brit-trad folk, Winter's Night might be what you're looking for. Watch the EPK after the jump...and look for a live concert of Sting performing songs from If On A Winter's Night on PBS next month and on DVD November 23.
Sting - "The Snow It Melts the Soonest" (from If On A Winter's Night)
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