Is Ten Summoner's Tales a good place to start with Sting?

Yes, Ten Summoner's Tales is recommended as a starting point for new Sting listeners. A rich tapestry of jazz-infused pop melodies intertwined with introspective lyrics and Sting's distinctive vocal delivery. By the time 'Ten Summoner's Tales' was released in 1993, Sting had already established himself as a solo artist following his successful tenure with The Police. This album marked his fourth solo studio project, coming off the commercially successful 'The Soul Cages' and showcasing a continued evolution in his songwriting and musical style.

Who is Ten Summoner's Tales for?

Ten Summoner's Tales works well if you're into introspective storytelling moments, long, immersive listening sessions and emotional and reflective journeys.

How many songs are on Ten Summoner's Tales?

Ten Summoner's Tales has 12 tracks, running approximately 52 minutes.

Ten Summoner's Tales

Sting · 1993

52 min · 12 tracks · jazz

A rich tapestry of jazz-infused pop melodies intertwined with introspective lyrics and Sting's distinctive vocal delivery.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Prologue (If I Ever Lose My Faith in You) Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Fields of Gold — This track features lush instrumentation and poignant lyrics that reflect on love and memory, making it one of Sting's most beloved songs.
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Shape of My Heart — With its haunting melody and introspective lyrics about fate and love, this song showcases Sting’s ability to blend storytelling with emotion.
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It's Probably Me — An intriguing collaboration with Eric Clapton, this track combines rich guitar work with reflective lyrics about trust and vulnerability.
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Seven Days — This song stands out for its intricate narrative structure, exploring themes of time and regret through an engaging melodic progression.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends jazz and pop with strong arrangements, though it doesn't fully stand out in its genre.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate spoken word sections or narrative elements, particularly in 'Saint Augustine in Hell' and 'It's Probably Me', which adds a theatrical quality.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

introspective storytelling moments
long, immersive listening sessions
emotional and reflective journeys
rich instrumentation appreciation

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified Sting's reputation as a solo artist post-The Police.
Themes: introspective storytelling· friendship reflections
Career context: By the time 'Ten Summoner's Tales' was released in 1993, Sting had already established himself as a solo artist following his successful tenure with The Police. This album marked his fourth solo studio project, coming off the commercially successful 'The Soul Cages' and showcasing a continued evolution in his songwriting and musical style.
Stylistic neighbors: Peter Gabriel· David Bowie· Paul Simon