Amazon.com: Somewhere, Kenny G is hiding behind his cascading ringlets in shame. Chris Botti, a jazz world super-talent whose trumpeting earns frequent comparisons to Miles Davis and Chet Baker, has found the formula for classing up the pop charts, and within it there's not a single soaring sax or tired attempt at career revivalism to be found. What we're treated to instead is an all-star lineup (Sting, Gladys Knight, Michael Buble and others) vocally saluting a musician whose resume reads like a page torn out of the Rock Snob's Dictionary: in addition to touring with Sting, Botti has played sideman to Paul Simon, Natalie Merchant, Joni Mitchell, and dozens more. Here that experience pays off handsomely. Gone are the matinee-idol smooth artist's earlier experiments with jazz synthesizers and pop-fusion compositions (see 2002's Night Sessions for those), and present in their place are his classical instincts. Gil Evans might have been his guide as the unmistakable opener "Embraceable You," one of a handful of instrumental tracks, swirls into the enchanting, ultra-sophisticated "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life," for instance, and listeners need not feel like fogies for loving it. If Steven Tyler can sign on to sing along with a traditional arrangement of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" while the London Session Orchestra lays down its trademark jazz lushness behind him, after all, you can let down your guard long enough to admit this disc leaves you feeling vaguely dreamy. --Tammy La Gorce
Disc 1:
Embraceable You
What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life? - Featuring Sting
My One And Only Love - Featuring Paula Cole
Let There Be Love - Featuring Michael Bublé
What's New?
Good Morning Heartache - Featuring Jill Scott
To Love Again
Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Featuring Paul Buchanan
Hauntingly Beautiful! Chris Botti, a trumpeter-extraordinaire, has done it again after the success of "When I Fall In Love," my top favorite of all his albums, which charted #4 on Billboard Top 25 Albums when it was released. "To Love Again" is nothing but one of the best recordings of all-time and features Mr. Botti's thirteen attention-grabbing performances with his guest artists - Sting, Michael Bublé, Paula Cole, Gladys Knight, Jill Scott, Paul Buchanan, Renee Olstead, Rosa Passos and Steven Tyler, with the London Session Orchestra conducted by Jeremy Lubbock, Billy Childs and Gil Goldstein.
His very latest offering Italia (CD/DVD digipak Fan Pack) is also making waves at the jazz scene today. Please check it out, and I guarantee you will have an exquisite listening experience. It is dramatically and irresistibly beautiful and romantic!
Chris Botti's most impressive trumpet virtuosity can be heard in his spellbinding renditions of all-instrumental-tracks from the repertoire: George and Ira Gershwin's "Embraceable You," the title track "To Love Again," "I'll Be Seeing You," which features Billy Childs on piano, and "What's New?" These beautiful works of art call for your welcoming ears and undivided attention to perfectly capture their charms!
Paula Cole, a Grammy awardee for the Best New Artist in 1998, steals the limelight with her emotionally-charged and superb vocals on "My One And Only Love," making it my new favorite version of this great song arranged by one of my favorite arrangers of all-time, Jeremy Lubbock. Sting shines with his outstanding rendition of one of the most beautiful compositions of the Bergmans and Legrand, "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?" His vocal artistry is just impeccable. I remember going round the bend over his version of "My One And Only Love" some years ago. It is still one of the most beautiful versions ever recorded.
Never to be outshined is Michael Bublé's refreshing take on "Let There Be Love," with fabulous arrangements by Gil Goldstein. Paul Buchanan's version of Elvis Presley's signature song "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" is so moving . . .
"Are you sorry we drifted apart? Does your memory stray to a bright summer day? . . . Is your heart filled with pain?"
On "Good Morning Heartache," Jill Scott is trying hard to make "heartache go away, get a job and leave her alone!" Gladys Knight sings "Lover Man" soulfully and coming from the heart.
The rest of the tracks are remarkable renditions of "Pennies From Heaven" by Renee Olstead, "Here's That Rainy Day" by Rosa Passos, and Steven Tyler's most heartfelt and moving treatment of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," one of the most beautiful and uplifting songs of all-time.
"Smile though your heart is aching Smile even though it's breaking When there are clouds in the sky you'll get by If you smile through your fears and sorrow Smile and maybe tomorrow You'll see the sun come shining through for you
Light up your face with gladness Hide every trace of sadness Although a tear maybe ever so near That's the time you must keep on trying Smile, what's the use of crying? You'll find that life is still worthwhile If you'll . . . just smile."
This is truly one of my favorite works of art - it's hauntingly beautiful!
Thank you so much, Mr. Botti, for sharing your outstanding gift of music to the world. You are simply one of the best things that ever happened to jazz music!
Deserves my highest recommendation!
* * * * * TEN STARS * * * * *
fine "make-out" album Chris Botti's trumpet playing makes him one of the greatest trumpet players of all time. Chris's sense of timing, his sensitivity when he plays and his energy all combine to create a brilliant experience; and with the vocalists on this CD Botti shines like never before.
The CD opens with an instrumental track, "Embraceable You." The other musicians play well in both major and minor keys as they support a flawless performance by Chris Botti. I know you'll like it! Sting joins Chris on "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?," a stunningly beautiful number that never fails to move me. Sting sings with panache and his excellent diction bolsters his performance. Moreover, listen also for Michael Bublé to join Chris Botti as they deliver a pretty awesome rendition of "Let There Be Love." Love that percussion on "Let There Be Love," too!
Jill Scott turns in a wonderful performance as she sings "Good Morning Heartache" while Chris plays his trumpet so well. The overall musical arrangement for "Good Morning Heartache" is much more modern, hip and overtly jazzy to embellish this standard blues number.
"Pennies From Heaven" features Renee Olstead singing her best and swinging gently; Chris's trumpet solo sparkles like gold and the arrangement makes good use of the brass, too. The CD concludes with another incredibly moving number, "Smile" by Charlie Chaplin. Steven Tyler sings this without a superfluous note and Chris Botti's trumpet couldn't have been any better. "Smile" touches me deeply with its message. Steven Tyler, a hardcore rocker, interprets this with so much sensitivity I have to marvel at Steven's genius.
The liner notes give the song credits and the artwork impresses me.
Chris Botti plays the trumpet so very, very well he's right up there with greats like Louis Armstrong; and when his peers join him for some vocals on these numbers their positive energy shines even brighter. I highly recommend this for Chris's fans; and people who enjoy classic jazz and pop vocals will surely love this album.
Wonderful classics, variety of vocals, beautiful sound! This is my first introduction to Chris Botti and it is an excellent compilation of smooth jazz, great historic songs, wonderful collaborations and just plain beautiful soothing music. The collection makes a fine set for any background music without being intrusive but very pleasing to all ears. I can't imagine anyone not captured by the beauty of the trumpet with the right vocals.
Some of the music is known forever, like the Academy Award song for the 1969 film The Happy Ending, the song that features the sultry voice of Sing, "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?"
Another generational classic is Ira & George Gershwin's "Embraceable You", originally recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1944 for the movie Girl Crazy.
Sarah Vaughn first recorded "Lover Man" in 1954 and here, it is done beautifully by Gladys Knight. The lyrics reveal a yearning for love that one has not experienced, but only knows about it......lover man...where can you be?
You will revisit or be introduced to a enduring popular hits of decades ago, a variety of entertainers, Paula Cole, Jill Scott, Sting, Paul Buchanan, Gladys Knight, Steven Tyler and some I had not heard of, Renee Olstead, Rosa Passos, Michael Buble and more!! Plus, you will enjoy this CD! ....MzRizz
I'M NOT A JAZZ LOVER BUT I DO LOVE THIS CD When come to jazz, hearing someone sings pretty important to me. This CD packed with the big JAZZ voices. It's awesome.
To love again The music is clear and exhilirating.The teamwork with other artists is well thought-out and professional.A very soothing collection of hits.
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