Escala

Talent judge Simon Cowell is known for his, at times, rather harsh remarks to star wannabes on the US pop show "American Idol" and the English show 'Britain's Got Talent". What is less known; however, is that Cowell has also signed some incredible talent - Il Divo, the newly discovered Susan Boyle, and a quartet of ladies who call themselves Escala. The foursome first came to Cowell's - and Britain's - attention as a part of the Englsh talent search program "Britain's Got Talent". Escala is an electric string quartet of Tasya Hoges on cello, Izzy Johnston on violin, Chantal Leverton on viola, and Victoria Lyon on violin. Before taking second place in season 2 of "Britain's Got Talent" the girls were a part of the string section for McFly and have since taken the world by storm with the release of their self titled debut album "Escala".

Victoria comes to the group by way of the Royal College of Music and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Izzy is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music. Tasya began studying in Croatia and later attened Yehudi Menuhin School and Guildhall before playing with the London Symphony Orchestra. Chantal was a member of the National Yourth Orchestra before entering the Royal Academy of Music.

The 11 songs on the album is a mix of classical and contemporary - including the McCartney penned "Live and Let Die" - pieces.

The album begins with the beautiful and powerful "Requiem for a Tower" and continues with "Palladio". Then the girls let their hair down with "Kashmir", a piece played in the manner of the East Village Opera Company featuring rock guitarist Slash. The quartet has truly succeeded in "Finding Beauty". "Children" is surely reminiscent of the title with quiet moments followed by measures of fast moving notes as in children running and ending in the frenzy that is children at play. Next Escala puts their own classical spin on the theme from James Bond's adventure "Live and Let Die". Things slow down a bit with "Chi Mai", then the girls kick it up and are "Feeling Good". "Sarabande" is a piece that will remind new age- Celtic fans of Secret Garden. The quartet finishes up the album with "Clubbed to Death" and "Adagio for Strings".

The debut album by Escala would be a welcome addition to fans of classical and classical rock music alike; especially for anyone who is looking the escape the typical musical grind.