The Last Ship is the eleventh studio album by English musician
Sting, released on 20 September 2013 in Germany[12][13] and on 24 September 2013 in the UK and US. It contains songs written for and inspired by the musical The Last Ship, which was then in production and would premiere in June 2014. The Last Ship is the first full-length LP of original material released by Sting since his 2003 album Sacred Love.[14]
The album, like the musical, takes inspiration from the closing of the shipyards in and around the historic shipbuilding town of
Wallsend, where Sting grew up. The album features guest artists with roots in the northeast of England, including
Brian Johnson from
AC/DC,
Jimmy Nail,
The Unthanks,
The Wilson Family, and
Kathryn Tickell.[15]
Background
The album is inspired by
the musical of the same name, which premiered in June 2014, and whose songs were written by Sting. The play explores the themes of homecoming and self-discovery, drawing upon Sting's memories of growing up in the shipbuilding town of
Wallsend, along with his reflections on the complexity of relationships, the passage of time and the importance of family and community.[16]
Of the album's twelve songs and the musical's roughly twenty songs, only six are common to both (although the deluxe version of the album includes another three, and the "super deluxe" version includes another four). In some cases, the differences are due to changes to the musical after all the album had already been recorded,[17] such as the song "
What Say You Meg?" being written to replace "Practical Arrangement".[18]
Commercial performance
The Last Ship debuted at No. 13 on the
Billboard 200,[19] and No. 6 on the Top Rock Albums,[20] selling 20,000 copies in the first week. The album has sold 90,000 copies in the United States as of September 2016.[21]
Formats
The album is available as both a
digital and
physical release in two configurations: a standard 12-song version (also available on
vinyl) and a 2-disc deluxe version with 5 additional tracks. Moreover, a 2-disc super deluxe edition with 20 tracks and special packaging is available.
Track listing
All tracks are written by
Sting, except where noted
The Wilson Family – group vocals ("The Last Ship", "Ballad of the Great Eastern", "What Have We Got?", "The Last Ship (Reprise)", "Shipyard", "Hadaway", "Sky Hooks and Tartan Paint", "Show Some Respect")
Alan Stepansky – cello ("It's Not the Same Moon")
Dave Mann – alto saxophone ("Jock the Singing Welder")
Aaron Heick – tenor saxophone ("Jock the Singing Welder")
Roger Rosenberg – baritone saxophone ("Jock the Singing Welder")
Jeff Kievit – trumpet ("The Last Ship", "Dead Man's Boots", "The Last Ship (Reprise)")
Tony Kadleck – trumpet ("The Last Ship", "Dead Man's Boots", "The Last Ship (Reprise)")
Bob Carlisle – French horn ("The Last Ship", "Dead Man's Boots", "The Last Ship (Reprise)")
Chris Komer – French horn ("The Last Ship", "Dead Man's Boots", "The Last Ship (Reprise)")
Mike Davis – tenor trombone ("The Last Ship", "Dead Man's Boots", "The Last Ship (Reprise)")
Richard Harris – euphonium ("The Last Ship", "Dead Man's Boots", "The Last Ship (Reprise)")
Marcus Rojas – tuba ("The Last Ship", "Dead Man's Boots", "The Last Ship (Reprise)")
Rob Mathes – production, orchestra arrangement and conduction
Donal Hodgson – recording, mixing
Peter Cobbin – orchestra recording, additional mixing ("The Last Ship", "Dead Man's Boots", "And Yet", "August Winds", "Language of Birds", "Practical Arrangement", "Ballad of the Great Eastern", "I Love Her But She Loves Someone Else", "The Last Ship (Reprise)")
Alex Venguer – additional recording
Jonathan Allen – orchestra recording
Jill Dell'Abate – production manager
Isobel Griffiths, Ltd. – orchestra contractor
Charlotte Matthews – assistant orchestra contractor