Even back in the sixteenth century, England was a land where men sang and accompanied themselves with stringed instruments. John Dowland is one of the most ancient songwriters that we know of, and his mastery of the lute provided an intricate background to his songs and instrumental pieces. His fellow Britishman of the twentieth century, Sting, got so obsessed with Dowland’s works that he recorded a full album of his songs. Lasting quality indeed.