Shakespeare's plays contain dozens of songs -- but only the lyrics. For the most part, the original melodies are unknown, leaving us with a mystery - and a delectable creative opportunity. Any music for the 400-year-old words must be created afresh for each new production, just like costumes and sets. That's how the songs on this album came into being. Just like the plays from which they come, these songs are a mixed bag of old and new, bitter and sweet, fast and slow. A bunch of rustics in the forest might break into a madrigal or a rollicking country jam; a starstruck lover might express his feelings in a sultry jazz number; a witty song mocking the opposite sex might turn into a campy cabaret. In short, the plays' wide-ranging emotional palate begs for musical styles that are just as varied -- you'll never quite know what's coming 'round the corner. All of these songs were used in, or inspired by, Shakespeare plays that were performed in and around Austin, Texas during the past 12 years. Many were used in productions of the Shakespeare at Winedale program of the University of Texas at Austin. We hope you enjoy them!