Cirque du Soleil

On October 2001, the "Fascination! Newsletter" reviewed a little known but highly sought after re-release of a Cirque du Soleil musical CD - the Saltimbanco soundtrack (BMG Funhouse/RCA Japan - BVCF-31076; 74321-82877-2). At first glance there was nothing special about its release; the show was touring the Japanese islands at the time. But it contained something that made our hearts flutter: two bonus tracks! That release (1/24/01) contained two new cuts: "Adagio" (5:43) and "Arlequin" (7:27).

The only problem with the release stemmed from the fact that these two tracks did not adhere to the general quality of the other previously released selections. Keith Johnson, who reviewed the CD for us back in our second issue, said it best when he commented that the two pieces seemed "sloppy and 'last minute'". And indeed they do seem that way; unfeeling, uninspired, and lacking the quality of a re-mastered audio recording.

Further listening of the tracks lead to discoveries about their origins and where the recordings actually came from. It was determined that the new tracks weren't simply copied from the video release; but if not, where did they come from? Later we learned that the two cuts actually came from a recording made by the musicians for the artists of Cirque du Soleil to enjoy at Christmas time. In fact, the cuts were recorded in Amsterdam in 1996 on Saltimbanco's original European Tour. But not until 2001 had the two tracks been released for the general public to enjoy.

Why am I telling you this? I do so because almost a year after the release of the Japanese Saltimbanco CD, Cirque du Soleil has done it again with the re-release of Saltimbanco in the western world. Sporting an all new cover and a completely digitally re-mastered soundtrack, the new CD also contains the tracks "Adagio" (accompanying the Adagio Trio act) and "Arlequin" (accompanying the Juggling act). But what is most exciting about this release is that both tracks have been completely re-sampled and re-mastered, differentiating themselves from their Japanese counterparts!

This new Saltimbanco CD (BMG Canada/Cirque du Soleil MUSIQUE; 74321- 91655-2) is a wonderful package. The CD insert features an all-new cover; Yellow with a picture of the cavalier on the left-hand side, holding a tray with a little seat on top. The inside consists of a foldout style insert with color pictures splashed about, notes about the album and other releases available. As for the music... the tracks seem to take flight under the new digital master; they're vibrant and full.

Adagio (5:47) accompanies the Adagio Trio act at the beginning of the show. The song is simple and subtle and makes for a great opening cut. This piece differs from its Japanese release in many ways but most importantly it's been completely re-mastered. Unlike its Japanese counterpart this track begins with a thunderous applause from an audience (very much similar to the two new Alegría tracks), but otherwise it is exactly the same. The end of the cut also features audience applause that leads right into the next track: Arlequin. Arlequin (7:36) accompanies the Juggling act and features an upbeat, cuban-ish style of sound. This piece has also had some re-mastering treatment done with an overlay of audience applause at the beginning (lead in from the previous track - Adagio) and features an extended ending that does not suddenly drop like the Japanese version did. The song's ending, however, is slightly masked by an audience applause overlay that feels like it doesn't belong there.

It comes as no surprise to this reviewer that the two cuts were recorded "Live under the Big Top in Amsterdam, 1996" and are actually taken from the cast recording I spoke about earlier. The tracks feature the vocal talents of Laur Fugère and the European Tour band: Marc Sohier (Bass/Band Leader), Yvon Cloutier (Guitar), Marc Delorme (Keyboards), Gillse St-Amand (Drums), and David Bellamare (Saxophone). Interested parties may note that the album's two newest tracks were edited and mastered by Denis Normandeau at Studios Piccolo, in Montréal.

All in all the new Saltimbanco CD is a welcomed addition to my Cirque du Soleil Musique portfolio and is a must purchase for anyone who enjoys not only Saltimbanco but Cirque du Soleil music as a whole. More please!