Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

First, I am a huge Sting fan from the 70's. I saw the Police when I was a teenager and the band left an indelible impression on me, mostly because Sting was just so amazing. Second, I have seen him more times than I can count--having followed him to NYC and to San Francisco to see him play live. Third, I think he's one of the true greats when it comes to song writing. BUT...I think I've reached my limit. To repackage all his solo work and then charge a premium for it is simply ridiculous. Three CDS and a DVD for more than $100? I'm shocked. But not as shocked as I was when I went to buy tickets for Sting's show in support of this work--$300 for two tickets! All of this just got me thinking that this is an exercise in commerce as opposed to art. Or, the man has finally lost it. It's been years since he's released a relevant set of tunes. His dabblings in Celtic folk music were simply dirge-lilke and dull and beyond seeing Sting sing with a live orchestra, that Symphonicities CD is the LAST thing I would put on when wanting to hear Sting sing the hits. So I'm confused by this boxed set. There's really nothing new here for the ears to listen to, other than a simple remastering of the tracks, which--face it--really doesn't sound all that different. Maybe Sting should have just charged $60 for this set since that is now his age. I just think that since he did the Police reunion tour that Sting has simply run out of creative gas and we've been handed nothing but dribbles of artistic energy as opposed to the gorgeousness and lush songs that he was capable of a decade ago. I still love the man and I'll forever cherish him for his contributions, but the heavy price tag for this set and the show accompanying just smells of capitalism infringing upon the artist's soul. Who knows, maybe this is all his label's doing or he's overstepped his donations to the rain forest. But whatever the reason, I don't feel stung in the least by what's being offered.