|
 |
Artist description
How does this songwriter describe his music with words? This is a very difficult task to perform, but I would begin by describing my music of a 21st century instrumental New Age/Ambient nature. The basics are derived from the early 70's era, advanced to the present with the technology of today's multi-track keyboards and computer assisted final mixes. Most importantly, these songs are full of feeling from deep within myself. Each track was written to express my feelings about individual, personal experiences in my life, with a desire to convey the full range of emotions I felt in that moment in time. These songs from my 8th, 9th and 10th CD's to date... "Breathe Easy","Composure",and "Solidarity", and by the end of November on MP3.com my CD..."Without Words", strive to represent all of the factors above, while also showing the progression of an artist searching for a niche in a world of musical variety. Please listen to each track with independent constructive criticism. I hope if one track touches you, I have expressed the feelings within my world of music to you. Thank you for taking the time to listen to these songs. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Sincerely, Bill McGee (Composure) email:WMCGEE@ec.rr.com All songs from Composure:©Composure Music 2003 |
 |
Music Style
Dimensional |
 |
Musical Influences
Pink Floyd/Peter Gabriel |
 |
Artist History
I started writing instrumental keyboard music in October 1999. 10 CD's to my credit thus far, and with my CD's "Breathe Easy","Composure","Solidarity" and my most recent CD to date, "Without Words" being aired on MP3.com. I have reached number 1 in New Age listings twice in 1 year at MP3.com.au, Australia's foremost Internet music site. Though a native of the USA, my goal is to reach our globe, and share as much of my music as possible. Receiving advice from friends in music over these past 4 and a half years, has brought more joy to my writing music then imaginable. I do hope my music bends your ears to relaxation, and foremost, imagination.
Bill McGee (Composure) |
 |
Group Members
Bill McGee (Solo Artist/Korg Triton Workstation) |
 |
Instruments
Korg Triton Workstation/Cakewalk Software/Home Studio |
 |
Albums
10 CD's to my credit to date...... |
 |
Press Reviews
"Shadows" by Bill Binkelman@windandwire.com
Artist
Composure
Author:
Composure on 10/Jun/2003
Review Type:
Artist
Review:
R E V I E W
COMPOSURE
Shadows
Self-released (2002) Sorry - no album cover art available at this time
review by Bill Binkelman
Electronic keyboard artist Bill McGee, recording as Composure, has taken a leap forward from his last release, DreamState, with his latest album. Shadows is not just a technical improvement but it also illustrates McGee's growth as a composer and a performer. One need not wait longer than the first track, "Beauty," for proof. Sounding a bit like Jonn Serrie's rhythmic pieces from Flightpath, the synths here twinkle, sparkle and swirl, while sampled hand percussion beats out a lively rhythm. It is easily the album's best track - it may be the best piece written so far by McGee.
"Final Ride" is a good song too. Building from a quiet start with sampled plucked strings (I'll guess it's an acoustic guitar sample), McGee layers in the synth strings and more guitars, maintaining a steady momentum, evoking a cruising sense of speed. The sound is a bit "bright" at times, so you may want to turn down the treble on this one, though. "Emerald Rain" opens amidst swirling keyboards and folds in varied kinetic electronic rhythms before the main melody line is brought into the track - floating synth chords and shimmering notes. To some degree, I was reminded of Jan Hammer's last studio album, Drive, because the electronic beats sound like the ones that Hammer used. "Shadows" is appropriately somber, featuring a blend of reverbed piano and organ-like synth chords. "Eye of Spring" once again contains sampled guitar (although the sound of fingers on the fretboard seem to be present; maybe it's the real thing) and the track is lively, with dexterous guitar counterpointed against synth chords that ebb and flow.
Even with tracks like "Gathering of Galaxies" (bearing some resemblance to the music of Geodesium), I'd still classify Shadows as being closer to electronic keyboard new age music than spacemusic. This sure isn't ambient music by any stretch of the imagination nor is it the more structured sound of adult contemporary. While this recording does show improvement by McGee, I think the album could still use a good re-mastering (I would tone down some of the "highs" at the least and maybe get a little more adventurous with the mix). As long as you don't use headphones, which seem to amplify the occasional shrillness, there are some very nice moments on Shadows. "Waves," the closing track, hits a midtempo stride that ends things on the perfect note, with its relaxed beats that are neither revved up nor overly subdued. If Bill McGee can make this big an improvement from his last album, by his third I'll bet he's really going to be on to something. He's already shown he can craft catchy likable music, 'cause that's just what Shadows contains. The technical part should come in time.
|
 |
Additional Info
Awaiting approval for film soundtracking from a North Carolina film studio |
 |
Location
Wilmington, North Carolina - USA |
 |
Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).
|
|