Artist: Bay Area Composers' Circle
Album: Bay Area Composers' Circle
Label: Self Release

Compilation of pieces by local composers. Except for 19, all the
tracks show a strong commitment to tonal, "approachable" composition.
Unfortunately, some of the tracks are marred by clicks resulting from
flaws in the CD (2, 6, 13, 18). If you like the track well enough,
this can probably be ignored. I liked 1, 2, 4, 17, 19.

1) Weird, and cool. Winds and percussion. Sounds like a cross
between a middle school band and a freak show. Recommended.
2) Sinuous low flute, vibraphone, oboe. More sedate. Recommended.
3) Modern semi-classical choral music. Think high school choir program.
4) Bassoon vs. piano. Who will win? Recommended.
5 and 6) Pretty cello and piano duets. Quite pleasant.
7) and 8) Soprano and piano. Similar to Ravel. Lyrics in English.
9-11) Out of tune choir makes these tracks difficult to enjoy.
12) Beat box, violin, with Indian classical and action movie soundtrack touches.
13) Tenor, piano and guitar. Spanish touches.
14) Brass quintet. Shades of "Fanfare for the Common Man."
15) Violin, choir. "Exquisite Jeremiah."
16) Virtuoso piano
17) Like the title says, pastoral. Chamber orchestra. Sounds like
Copland and von Williams. Nice if you want something mellow.
18) Serialist noodling. Trumpet, percussion, clarinet. Abruptly
switches to rock beat, sounds vaguely like Peter Gunn. Percussion
freak out, then back to noodling. Gets jazzy.
19) Starts with sound sample from some random conversation. Then
begins Riley-style tape manipulation on the name "George Antheil."
Funny stuff.

Alex D.