Bonus Tracks

SARAH ELIZABETH CAMPBELL

A Little Tenderness (Dejadisc)

I've said it before, I'll say it again: this Northern Californian's voice has more Texas in it than most Texans have in their entire beings. This reissue also upholds Campbell's reign as the Queen of Melancholia. I've heard that nothing cheers the sad better than a great sad song. If this is true, Campbell is aural Prozac. -- Joe Mitchell

BLUE CELESTIAL TURKS

Night of the Blue Flamingos (Azul La Tex)

The first several songs are introspective, almost ceremonial numbers. Then, as in their previous effort, the Turks strike out for new territory. Unfortunately, they lose direction, bogging down in a cut-out bin of busy pop hooks which leaves Flamingos a weak follow-up to their previous Strong Tower. Where're It's a Beautiful Day when you need 'em? -- Stephen McGuire

WHEEL

Hip Eponymous (Permanent)

Initially, the similarities between ex-Black Irishmen Kevin McCarthy's Wheel and Deep Blue Something is indeed concerning. But after a couple of listens it's obvious Wheel has something the future Deep Blue Who? never did: muscular pop payoffs on the tricky narrative-hook-narrative approach. A promising start. -- Andy Langer

SANDERS

Piano (Kawaii Music Productions)

Reviews of classical piano in the Chron? Hey, dude, they're originals. Who can deny Sanders' emotional creativity in the Beethoven-informed "From Winter to Spring?" Pushing beyond Old World classicism, "On a Beautiful Day" carries the seeds of American traditional and "Knight From Long Ago" echoes of contemporary pop. At times, composition is a little complex and fortissimos too ringing, but all's well by the finale "Nobel Peace." Accessible, original, and bright classical piano. -- Stephen McGuire "Bonus Tracks" reviews all local and Texas-based releases commercially available. Send to: "Bonus Tracks," The Austin Chronicle, PO Box 49066, Austin, TX 78765.