Angels of Venice 
The Angels of Venice 
Audio CD (July 27, 1999) 
Original Release Date: July 27, 1999 
Label: Windham Hill Records 
Rip VBR
Covers included

Founded by Carol Tatum, a well-known composer/musician, Angels of Venice is a group with an eclectic spread of sounds and styles. The other members of the group include (but are not limited to) Christopher Pellani - percussion, Peggy Baldwin - cello, and Laura Halliday - flute. All of these were established musicians well before the founding of the group and bring their skills to bear with rewarding results. Ostensibly 'new age' in approach, the wander the spectrum from Medieval and Indian settings to Cat Stevens and the Beatles. 
This album is something of a composite of previous work done for Windham Hill on signing on to that label. With everything from 'borrowed' work like Cat Steven's Sad Lisa to quirky cross-fertilizations of Celtic and Middle Eastern (A Chantar Mer) the professionalism and creativity are compelling and interesting. 
This doesn't prevent the album from seeming a bit overproduced and a tad monotonous. Tempos tend to be idyllic and restful, and the settings textural rather than melodic. All this is find, but can wear thin on repeated listening. Unless you are a bit of a new age, meditation music fan, and then the hypnotic effect is just fine. Even at worst, there is nothing to dislike in this album, which carries out its purpose admirably. 
For more info: http://www.angelsofvenice.com/

Tracklist
1. Sad Lisa    
2. Lionheart    
3. After The Harvest   
4. A Chantar Mer  
5. Within You Or Without You   
6. Trotto  
7. Queen Of The Sun   
8. Si Je Perdais Mon Ami  
9. As Tears Go By   
10. China Moon 
11. Tears Of The World (Lacrimae Mundi)  

Enjoy It!
Ulysses56