The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985)
Former Police frontman, Sting, in 1985 released his debut album: The Dream Of The Blue Turtles. After five albums with The Police, Sting wanted to go solo and be taken more seriously as a musician and an artist. Apparently The Police didn’t get along well with each other towards the end of their run and thus disbanded. Then here comes Sting with an impressive solo debut record. This is a fantastic 80’s pop rock album, layered with jazz influence and saxophone lines all over. Sting’s occasional grabs at worldbeats and worldsounds give this first solo stint a great bit of variety and it showcases that Sting is not afraid to experiment with trying new and unconventional things.
The record kicks off with If You Love Somebody Set Them Free. The perfect bridge song from The Police to Sting’s solo work is accompanied by a flurry of keys and great saxophone hooks. Love Is The Seventh Wave follows and is a song everyone has heard before. Whether it was at a friends pool day, a trip to the beach, or you were just sitting and having lunch at Bahama Breeze/any sort of coastal themed restaurant, you will have heard this song. It is a Caribbean inspired reggae-pop number with steel drums and lovely relaxing harmonies.
The back half of Children’s Crusade is filled with nothing but epic-ness and this records reworking of Shadows In The Rain buries the original. Originally a Police song on the album Zenyatta Mondatta, the new arrangement features complex jazz and an overall quality that the original lacks.
Moon Over Bourbon Street is Sting’s 40s and 50s Crooner style song, but in with the flair of 80s Sting! It is a classic easy listening jazz song that has been arranged into a haunting jazz piece. There is nothing not to love about it.
Finally, the album closes with Fortress Around Your Heart which was Sting’s big “hit song”. It ticks all of the boxes of being a commercial top charting 80s pop rock song, but it is of the highest quality. This single belongs in the top tier of mid-1980s pop rock singles. Very specific, I know. It is timeless and should be loved by every generation. If you don’t shake your ass to this song then you are too uptight about who knows what… Let loose and listen to some Sting, dammit!
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Highlight Songs:
If You Love Somebody Set Them Free
Fortress Around Your Heart
Shadows In The Rain
Moon Over Bourbon Street
Children’s Crusade
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
Definitely this is a debut worth owning. From start to finish this is a fantastic record that can be played all the way through in almost any setting. Due to one or two middle of the road songs, the album doesn’t achieve an NSA title, but it is still totally awesome. Own it, dance to it and play it for your loved ones.
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Overall Rating:
4.5 Stars
