THE BARONICS SURF THE CLASSICS
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ATMA AGCD 22127
 

In Wich Vivaldi meets The Ventures as Quebec based quartet the Baronics give some popular classics the surfing sound of clean, bright fender guitars.  Doubtless pursits of both stripes will disapprove of this disc; however for those prepared to loosen their musical stays a little there is a lot of good clean fun to be had (not to mention the potential for confounding people's expectations at parties---put this on and watch the scratched heads and baffled expressions).

What particularly impressed me about this record is the fidelity with wich the originals are approached:  Both the notes and the spirit are captured.  Pachelbel's (in) famous CANON comes off particularly well, but then so---perhaps rather more surprisingly---does THE FOUR SEASONS.  In fact so enjoyable did I find this fresn take on a work which is in danger of becoming hackneyed, that I regret they only recorded one movement from each concerto.  Nigel Kennedy, eat your heart out...

This is not the first time that the classics have been treated to a rock'n roll backbeat and I dare say it won't be the last.  Few, though, tend to be done with anything like the skill and affection evident here.
 
 

DEREK BARKER
THE TIMES
VICTORIA, B.C.
CANADA

MAY 15, 1997