Ten Summoner's Tales

Released March 1, 1993 via A&M, Ten Summoner's Tales was recorded from June to December 1992 at Lake House, Sting's estate in Wiltshire, with Hugh Padgham co-producing. It sounds like a session band showing off without raising its voice. Dominic Miller plays nylon-string guitar across the whole record, Vinnie Colaiuta lays "Seven Days" down in 5/4 so smoothly the meter only registers when you try to count it, and "Love Is Stronger Than Justice (The Munificent Seven)" gallops through a Western pastiche in 7/4.

"If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" opens with one of his sharpest hooks and reached No. 17 in the US. "Fields of Gold" became a standard for everyone from wedding bands to Eva Cassidy, and "Shape of My Heart," co-written with Miller around his guitar figure, closed Léon: The Professional the following year. This is a former new-wave frontman settling into craftsmanship, and the craft is the pleasure. The album reached No. 2 in the UK and the US and won three Grammys from six nominations.

This is the 2016 A&M 180g reissue, pressed at Optimal Media in Germany with lacquers cut at Abbey Road and mastering by Bob Ludwig, with a printed colour lyric sheet.