Sue Coffee

Review: 17-strong, Boulder, CO-based Sound Circle was first formed in 1994 by founding Artistic Director Sue Coffee, who is also founding Artistic Director of the 125-voice Resonance Women's Chorus and has won numerous awards. This statement from their website tells us a lot about them: "The women of Sound Circle, an a cappella women's vocal ensemble, have come together to experience the deep joy of making music and to share that joy with our audiences. The music we sing connects us to the voices, sounds and rhythms of our own lives. We seek out music that speaks of women's experiences and music by women composers." Here are the titles of the 12 beautiful songs of "Finding the Flow:" "Kinder," by Alyx Autuori of Copper Wimmin, "Woodsmoke and Oranges" by Ian Tamblyn, "Under Heaven, Under the Sun" by Malcolm Dalglish, "I am into to your fire" by Craig Carnahan and James Broughton, "Sweet Darkness" by Terry Schlenker, "Stay" by Carol Maillard, Richard Shindell's poignant ballad "Last Fare of the Day," Linda Webber's "Silence of Our Dreams," Kimmerjae Johnson's "Float Down the River," Sue Johnson's "Sister, My Sister," the Kirby Shaw-arranged traditional tune "Down by the Riverside" and Tom Kimmel's "Never Saw Blue Like That." "Finding the Flow" is powerful, deeply-felt music that touches and moves us. Great stuff from Sound Circle!

Songlist: Kinder, Woodsmoke and Oranges, Under Heaven, Under the Sun, I Am Into Your Fire, Sweet Darkness, Stay, Last Fare Of The Day, Silence Of Our Dreams, Float Down The River, Sister My Sister, Down By The Riverside, Never Saw Blue Like That

Review: Twenty-one women gather to experience the joy of making music together and to share that joy with their audiences, performing songs in a multiplicity of styles (with elements of classical, world and folk, though strictly speaking, Sound Circle is none of these). Featuring composers such as Ysaye Maria Barnwell and Holly Near (but also original works commissioned specifically for the group), the ensemble has fashioned a full-spectrum, transparently textured recording that can be minimalist or celebratory in turn, though always congruent in its musicality. Artistic Director Sue Coffee's staunch credentials ensure Sound Circle's unmistakable grounding in the traditions of Western harmony, while providing the setting for the group's highly personal expression.

Songlist: Fly Me Away, Sun Won't Stop, Golden Apples Of The Sun, Full Woman, Ave Maria, Stone Circles, Would You Harbor Me?, Mother Moon, Wanting Memories, Keep The Fire, Love Comes Again, How Do You Feel?, Shooting Star, Something Inside So Strong, Dona Nobis Pacem, I Sound Circle

Review: "Stick Around" is Jonestown, CO-based Sound Circle's second CD, their first, the well-received "Sound Circle," was released in 1998. There are 22 women in this women's a cappella ensemble, five each of Sopranos 1 and 2, and six each of Altos 1 and 2. The exquisite liner notes, with a Colorado mountain scene on the cover, contain the words to these 18 beautiful, life-affirming songs: "Eagle Song," "We A...," "Calling All Angels," Alanis Morissette's "You Learn," Billy Joel's "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)," Cindy Lauper's "Time After Time," "Ka-chinka-cha," "Bliss Mantra (Poem)," "Bliss Mantra (song)," "Clangor, Clamor, Clapperclaw," "Sondra Met A Koala," "That's Alright," "what i want," "Mother, It is Night," "Come Into Our Circle" (which could be SC's theme song), "Another Train," "Weathering" and "Stick Around." On the back cover of the CD is a photo of the smiling, glowing faces of the group together under a pine tree, as if inviting us to join them in song. Deep feelings for humanity and the earth, gratitude for life and love of music come through clearly on "Stick Around," a very special CD!

Songlist: Eagle Song, We Are..., Calling All Angels, You Learn, Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel), Time After Time, Ka-chinka-cha (improv), Bliss Mantra (poem), Bliss Mantra (song), Clangor, Clamor, Clapperclaw, Sondra Met a Koala (improv), That's Alright, What I Want, Mother, It Is Night, Come Into Our Circle, Another Train, Weathering (improv), Stick Around