Audiobooks

Wishing on the Moon read by Annie Ross Unfinished Journey read by Yehudi Menuhin

Combining biographies of great musicians with examples of their music means both life and work are illuminated. Donald Clarke and Annie Ross's life of Billie Holiday, Wishing on the Moon (Sony Audio, 2hrs 18mins, pounds 7.99) is closer to Hello! profile than a serious biography of one of the great jazz singers, but Ross's memories of "Lady Day" set such fabulous tracks as "Strange Fruit" and "God Bless the Child" interestingly in context.

Yehudi Menuhin's Unfinished Journey (Reed Audio, 3hrs, pounds 7.99) is a very different but equally fascinating experience. Menuhin, who is 80 this month, reads from his autobiography of the last 20 years with spell-binding intelligence; there is also room for him to put across beliefs and ambitions that go well beyond music-making.

Christina Hardyment