One of the abiding mysteries of music for me is what attracts me to an
individual piece, composer or artist.  After the most recent experience
I'm even more confused than usual!

Long story short -- I bought a disc of music by Emma Shaplin I heard
playing in the record store.  Called 'Carmine Meo' it's on the Pendragon
Records/Coeur de Lion label (CDLACD-1934)

Crossover is a word I hate, but I can only describe this music as "Giacomo
Puccini meets Jean-Michel Jarre".  Italianate operatic arias with a rockish
beat and massed strings accompaniment are interspersed with pieces that
seem to be inspired by Gregorian chant.  It's not deep music, it's not even
great music -- but why have I listened to it probably 20 times in the last
month and find myself singing snatches from it on the way to work?

It's infectiously appealing stuff -- give it a try!

Tim Mahon
Alexandria, VA