Mr. "Sheer Profundity" delivered a stunning fourth solo album that probably surprised himself as well as the critics who were prepared to watch his fall from grace after the seeming failure of the intense THE SOUL CAGES. Right from the opener, "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You", the album holds its pace. That track will be seen as a classic in years to come, as will the beautiful "Fields Of Gold" and "Shape Of My Heart". Sting is established as a major artist with a solo career that has now eclipsed his former supergroup.

• Q (1/94, p.83) - Included in Q's list of `The 50 Best Albums Of 1993.'
  Rolling Stone (3/18/93, p.38) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...strikes the tricky balance of being both uncompromised and relaxed....TALES is loose and swinging; the joy in the playing is palpable....Sting's singing is superb, a virtual study in intelligent rock-vocal technique...masterful..."
  Spin (4/93, p.94) - Highly Recommended - "...his most playful record....Sting continues to emphasize his flair for haunted, existential romance..."
  Entertainment Weekly (3/12/93, p.60) - "...11 terse, vividly imagined gems....has plenty of catchy, unburdened moments..." - Rating: A

Personnel: Sting (vocals, harmonica, saxophone, bass); David Foxxe (spoken vocals); Dominic Miller (guitar); Paul Franklin (pedal steel guitar); Simon Fisher, Kathryn Greeley (violin); James Boyd (viola); Sian Bell (cello); Dave Heath (flute); Kathryn Tickell (Northumbrian pipes, fiddle); Larry Adler, Brendan Power (chromatic harmonica); John Barclay, Guy Barker (trumpet); Richard Edwards, Mark Nightingale (trombone); David Sancious (keyboards); Vinnie Colaiuta (drums).
Recorded at Lake House, Wiltshire, England.
"If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" won the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male; and TEN SUMMONER'S TALES won the 1994 Grammy Award for Engineered Album, Nonclassical. "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" was also nominated for Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year; and TEN SUMMONER'S TALES was nominated for Album Of The Year.
Mr. "Sheer Profundity" delivered a stunning fourth solo album that probably surprised himself as well as the critics who were prepared to watch his fall from grace after the seeming failure of the intense THE SOUL CAGES. Right from the opener, "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You," the album holds its pace. That track will be seen as a classic in years to come, as will the beautiful "Fields Of Gold" and "Shape Of My Heart." Sting is established as a major artist with a solo career that has now eclipsed his former supergroup.

To some, the Englishman born under the name Gordon Sumner will always be known as the bassist, songwriter, and frontman of the Police. But Sting's mega-successful solo career from the 1980s into the 21st century may even overshadow his former band's fame. Crafty lyrics and a clever hybrid of rock, jazz, pop, and world music have made him an international star, and he proudly inhabits the role of the pensive celebrity. While his former bandmates search out uncharted territory, Sting continues to pursue the spotlight with his own brand of soulful, grown-up pop. Throughout his career, Sting has also dabbled in various acting roles, appearing in films directed by numerous cinema luminaries.