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Sanctus is a marvelous CD, reminding me of the best of Mannheim Steamroller, except more intimate, more exotic, and more wonderful! Founding member Carol Tatum is the driving force behind the Angels of Venice; she also plays a heavenly harp and miscellaneous MIDI instruments on the album. Her excellent ensemble features three other superb musicians (Susan Craig Winsberg on flutes and recorder; Cathy Biagini on cello; Christopher Pellani on percussion). The combination is a hypnotic, ethereal hybrid blending new age, world and early music.

At your next holiday party, this is precisely the sort of music that will have your guests cocking an ear and asking, "What IS that wonderful album you're playing?" The 12 tracks present a very nice collection of largely ancient, well-known traditional tunes. Most numbers receive relatively lengthy, sophisticated treatment; all but three exceed four minutes in play time (and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" extends over six!). Many tracks offer an achingly delicate, understated beauty ("What Child Is This," "O Holy Night," "Silent Night," and "Edelweiss"). In places, the influence is distinctly Middle Eastern ("God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"). The arrangements are creative and compelling throughout.

One of my all-time favorite holiday offerings, "Carol of the Bells," appears as bookends for Sanctus, the instrumental version at the front, and the vocal version at the end. The opening for both versions is particularly striking: the howling winter wind and distant church bells first greet the listener, and then the harp introduces the shimmering melody.

The instrumentation on Sanctus is consistently first class; the harp, flutes/recorder, and cello all contribute an identifiable and magnificent presence. Only two tracks on Sanctus feature true vocals, and these are provided by very talented guest musicians. "Polorum Regina" (The Red Book 14th Century) is a gorgeous medieval piece with breathtakingly gentle-but-rich vocals by Daniel Plaster; Christina Linhardt does the honors on the final cut, delivering a fragile crystalline soprano on "Carol of the Bells."

Sanctus is a hauntingly beautiful holiday offering. Never turn away a heavenly visitor--let the Angels of Venice fly into your home this Christmas!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

Performing on the album:
Carol Tatum: Harp, Midi Instruments
Susan Craig Winsberg: Flutes, Recorder
Cathy Biagini: Cello
Christopher Pellani: Percussion

Guest musicians:
Eric Gorfain: violin
Christina Linhardt: vocals
Daniel Plaster: vocals
Stephen Day: tanpura

Produced by Carol Tatum
From the website:
Emerging from the heart and soul of harpist/composer/producer Carol Tatum, the Angels of Venice's sound is ethereal, joyous, firey, lush, mysterious and elegant. Driven by harp, flute, cello, hammered dulcimer and exotic percussion accompanied by world instruments such as udu, doumbek, oud, hurdy gurdy, bouzouki and recorder this group combines middle eastern, medieval and neoclassical styles to create an aural landscape that is at once compelling and provocative.
About Carol Tatum:
Originally from Dallas, Texas, founding member Carol Tatum has been playing stringed instruments since the age of seven. With her extensive recording and live performance experience Carol's contribution to "Angels of Venice" is as primary songwriter, arranger and producer. She is an ASCAP member and published writer having co-written songs for the rock group Kingdom Come on both PolyGram and Warner Bros. German labels. Her compositions and arrangements have graced movie and video soundtracks as well as various CD compilations.
About Christopher Pellani:
Christopher Pellani is a dynamic percussionist adept in all musical styles. His performance versatility includes concerts, television shows, videos and seasoned film and studio recordings... He has recorded and performed rock, R & B and world beat music with a diverse array of artists and remains in high demand for concert and studio dates. He was chosen as one of ten outstanding drummers for BAM Magazine's November 1993 article on "Unsung Drumming Heroes of Los Angeles"&
About Cathy Biagini:
Ms. Biagini is much in demand in both the orchestral as well as the recording industry. Currently, she performs with Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony and the Redlands Symphony. Her recent recordings include Angels of Venice, The Winans, Santa Barbara Symphony and the new Disneyland California Adventure Theme Park. Before coming to the Los Angeles area, she was principal cellist for Savannah Symphony for six seasons. Previous to that position, she was assistant principal of Northwest Chamber Orchestra in Seattle. Ms. Biagini has concertized throughout North America and Europe. Her solo performances have included several appearances with Savannah Symphony and Hilton Head Chamber Orchestra.
About Susan Craig Winsberg:
Flutist Susan Craig Winsberg was born in Chicago and started music at the age of five. Her first instrument was the piano, but at ten years old she discovered the flute, which soon became her instrument of choice. By the time she was sixteen she had won several competitions and auditions, including the Chicago Symphony Youth Auditions for which she was awarded a solo performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra&. She has studied, performed and taught extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Canada. Susan currently lives in Los Angeles where she freelances as a performer, teacher, composer/arranger and recording artist.

Angels of Venice

Sanctus

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Track List