Sting - The Dream Of The Blue Turtles (CD 1985)

This is one of my all time favourite records (CDs). I had a copy for a long time and then lost it. I had tried to get another copy in the shops but had failed. I knew ebay wouldn't let me down, and I frequently use ebay to source things that are no longer readily available.
As I would have expected from an ebay seller, this item was as described and in excellent condition.

I always liked 'The Police' [the band not the force] so when Sting went solo I went straight out and bought the CD.

For me, 'The Dream Of The Blue Turtles' is a bit of a mixed bag; there are two or three superb tracks, a bunch of good'uns and one or two not quite so good.
Stylistically there are a couple of brilliant love songs, two or three political heavyweights, an anti-drug message, some jazzed up numbers, a Police cover version and even a classical theme stolen [sorry, borrowed] from Prokofiev.

It was as if poor old Gordo couldn't quite decide just where he wanted to go after 'The Police'. He seemed to be saying "Look at me! I can do romantic! I can do serious! I can do Jazz! I can do dramatic! I can do Classical! I'm green and care deeply about society's problems! I can read high brow books and interpret them musically! But I am STILL that guy from 'The Police' you all know and love so well. Honest. Please like me.".

Having said that, it certainly worked for him. It went platinum. (Three times as I recall) And I have to admit I do actually like this album with 'Russians' [Great music, Great lyrics, Lovely bit of Prokovief] and 'Fortress Around My Heart' [Clever lyrics, Clever music, Just great to listen to] being my absolute favourite tracks.

So what were the 'not so good's I hear you ask?
They would have to be; the title track 'The Dream Of The Blue Turtles' and 'Moon Over Bourbon Street'. But with apologies to 'The Tremeloes' - With this CD, Even The Bad Tracks Are Good...

Anyone who has read my reviews will know I love lyrics and this album has them in spades. I am really pleased to say they are reproduced in full on 12 sides of a nice little fold out booklet together with some seriously sad pictures of Gordo prancing around a field in a truly ridiculous beret. Ah well, whatever turns you on I guess.

In short, if you don't have this CD already it would be worth your while popping over to eBay and doing a quick search. You should be able to bag yourself a copy for under a fiver including P&P. A veritable bargain you might say!

When it arrives; sneak upstairs, run a hot bath, turn the lights down low, pop the CD in the player, lower yourself into the water and float away for 40 minutes of genuinely interesting music.

I'm sure you will enjoy it.

Regards
tbod