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.
This article appears in January 12 • 1996 and January 12 • 1996 (Cover).