Beethoven: Septet in E flat, Op. 20; Serenade in D, Op. 25

Beethoven: Septet in E flat, Op. 20; Serenade in D, Op. 25 (88442333)
Though the music on this disc may not fit the stereotypical vision of Ludwig van Beethoven as a heaven-storming Prometheus, it may be all the more appropriate for casual listeners exactly because of that. Played with supple virtuosity and evident delight by the English chamber group Ensemble 360, the German master's Septet for winds and strings and Serenade for violin, viola, and flute have rarely been performed with such charm and style. Nothing here is especially deep; even the septet's Adagio cantabile and the serenade's Andante con Variazioni, as lyrically effusive as they are, do not touch the profundities of the composer's piano sonatas and string quartets of the same period. But with Ensemble 360's effortless technique and sympathetic interplay, the pieces emerge as beguiling as any of Mozart's lighter work, though with the rougher accent and more robust sense of humor for which Beethoven was known. Captured in clean but evocative sound, this disc will likely please longtime fans of the composer, as well as listeners who only know his greatest hits but are looking for something more. ~ James Leonard, Rovi

Dixie Dregs: Live at Montreux 1978

Dixie Dregs: Live at Montreux 1978 (8860750)
This program contains two live variety show performances by jazz fusion band Dixie Dregs. Both on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert and Dick Clark's American Bandstand, the band plays to enthusiastic audiences. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi

Beat Route: Around the World With Jools Holland

Beat Route: Around the World With Jools Holland (7981171)
Follow host Jools Holland as he embarks on a whirlwind tour of major cities all across the globe to put a finger on the pulse of contemporary culture while showing viewers just what life is like in such places as Dublin, Chicago, Budapest, Havana, Beirut, and Seville. Additional interviews with such internationally-known figures as Van Morrison, Ruben Gonz? lez, and The Chieftains offer an artistic perspective on day to day life in these world class locales as well. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Cinderella

Cinderella (79539570)
The Opera Australia mounted this production of Gioachino Rossini's 1817 Cinderella (aka La Cenerentola), in 1987. Though the opera itself generally follows the dramatic arc of the original Cinderella story, Rossini distinguished himself via his insistence on omitting fantasy elements and thus creating a more plausible tale. This particular version stars Bernadette Cullen, Anne-Maree McDonald, Suzanne Johnston and Gary Bennett. The Australian Opera Chorus and The Elizabethan Sydney Orchestra provided added musical accompaniment. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

Voila [Bonus Disc]

Voila [Bonus Disc] (7955100)
Belinda Carlisle's career has had several twists and turns, but none has been quite as interesting as her 2007 album Voila, a collection of luxurious covers of classic French pop tunes, all sung in French. Certainly, the very concept of the former new wave queen singing French pop qualifies as one of the more intriguing projects in her solo career, but it's also interesting that she's chosen this idea for her first solo album in ten years. Given that long gap between new albums, it's clear that Voila is no stunt or novelty, it's a passion project for Carlisle and it plays that way: it has the complexity and richness of a labor of love. Which doesn't necessarily mean that this album is filled with surprises, apart from its very existence. Brian Eno may contribute keyboards, but that doesn't mean that these are radical reinterpretations, nor are the selections necessarily left-field: there are a pair of Serge Gainsbourg songs, a Jacques Brel, and a few other songs that should be familiar to rock and pop listeners with a fairly deep grasp of '60s and '70s pop. Those listeners who were raised on punk, new wave, and alt-rock, but with a deep love of the '60s, are clearly the target audience for Voila, and the best thing about the album is that it will not disappoint. This is an elegant, stylish collection of adult pop, gliding by on its sleek synth textures and cabaret atmosphere. Even when it dips into Eurodisco -- as it does on occasion, as on Edith Piaf's "La Vie en Rose" -- it does so gracefully, and there's an appealing sly decadence to the feel of Voila; it may be a decadence sculpted out of films, LPs, and old photos, one that's knowing but affectionate, but that doesn't mean it's not an alluring, effective mood for the album, particularly because Carlisle sustains it from beginning to end, a problem that she didn't manage to conquer on her big hits of the late '80s. That is a change for her, but the true revelation of Voila is her singing: it's relaxed, assu...

Van Gogh: A Museum for Vincent

Van Gogh: A Museum for Vincent (7981218)
The post-impressionist Dutch painter whose remarkable life would have a lasting impact on the world of art is profiled in a visually arresting documentary showcasing the world class collection of the Rijks Museum Vincent Van Gogh in Amsterdam. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Ask the Night

Ask the Night (81845927)
When Azure Ray disbanded in 2004, Orenda Fink had little trouble regaining her balance. The songwriter had already juggled multiple bands during her golden years with Maria Taylor, and she continued bouncing from project to project after the split, exploring Haitian music with her 2005 solo debut and wrapping herself in lush pop arrangements during her lone album with Art in Manila. Released several years later, Ask the Night finds Fink in a rare state: restful, leisurely, and unadorned. This is a stripped-down album, devoid of computers and electronics of any kind, and Fink uses the opportunity to flex her muscles as a competent Southern Gothic-styled songwriter. Flanked by little more than her guitar, vocal harmonies, and a sparse Appalachian string band, she steers her voice through tales of Greyhound bus rides, the South, and swampy landscapes. The mood is hushed throughout, although songs like "The Mural" build up to towering climaxes before resuming their serene, earthy pitch. All of this is a far cry from Azure Ray's work, perhaps, but Ask the Night is often gorgeous in its simplicity. Consider this the intimate, moody cousin to Maria Taylor's LadyLuck, an equally endearing (but wildly dissimilar) solo album that came out several months prior. ~ Andrew Leahey, Rovi