Magic Harp

When Swiss harpist Andreas Vollenweider first arrived on the scene 25 years ago, he was a harbinger of a new instrumental music. That music is captured on this collection, which spans Vollenweider's career. The fantasy whimsy of "Behind the Garden..." is here, as well as intimate duets with violinist Mark O'Connor and singer Milton Nascimento. Like a ballerina with ADD, Vollenweider danced and leaped among complicated time signatures, polyrhythmic percussion, global sounds, and soaring classicism. But what held it together was the sound design of albums that were concept works, most of them a seamless flow from beginning to end. Pulled out of context, tracks are simply faded out and Vollenweider's gift for drama, musical storytelling, and moodier textures is sacrificed to focus on the more pedestrian, smooth-jazz elements in his music. But that doesn't detract from his mastery of the harp, not to mention just about every other stringed instrument he touches. Although Magic Harp by and large replicates 2001's The Essential Andreas Vollenweider collection, there are a few notable bonuses. One is an exhilarating live recording of "Moonday" from a 1987 concert in Tokyo. A bonus DVD contains three music videos revealing Vollenweider's visual imagination (and not a little bit of corniness). An additional montage of concert footage is more tantalizing than satisfying. The orchestral performance clips of his unreleased Tales from Kira Kutan leave you wanting more, and a concert from 1981 reveals what a different time that was, when Vollenweider was hip and audiences literally grooved to his music. --John Diliberto