Search - Chris Botti :: To Love Again

To Love Again
Chris Botti
To Love Again
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Broadway & Vocalists
 
  •  Track Listings (13) - Disc #1

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 t...  more »

     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: Chris Botti
Title: To Love Again
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 2
Label: Sony
Original Release Date: 1/1/2005
Re-Release Date: 10/18/2005
Album Type: Dual Disc
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Broadway & Vocalists
Styles: Smooth Jazz, Vocal Jazz, Easy Listening, Vocal Pop, Traditional Vocal Pop
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 827969775523

Synopsis

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

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Member CD Reviews

Loretta D. (femmefatale) from PHILADELPHIA, PA
Reviewed on 6/27/2007...
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). 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."

CD Reviews

Hauntingly Beautiful!
Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 10/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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 to date is #4 on Billboard Top 25 Albums. "To Love Again" is nothing but one of the best recordings of all-time. The CD Audio Side features Mr. Botti's thirteen attention-grabbing performances with his guest artists - Sting, Michael Bublé, Paula Cole, Gladys Knight, Jill Scott, Renee Olstead, Rosa Passos and Steven Tyler, with the London Session Orchestra conducted by Jeremy Lubbock, Billy Childs and Gil Goldstein.



The DVD Side showcases the entire CD tracks and four fabulous live performances and these are: "Flamenco Sketches" with guest saxophonist David Sanborn, "To Love Again," "I'll Be Seeing You" and "Milestones." The live performers include Billy Childs (piano), Anthony Wilson (guitar), Billy Kilson (drums) and Robert Hurst (bass). It's so nice to watch him on this DVD and see before your eyes how good he really is in his craft. He could well be in the league of the greatest trumpet players of all-time.



His 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 * * * * *"
Delightful but watch out!
K. Daily | 11/01/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)

"I pre-ordered this CD and when it was delivered I immediately tried to download it into ITunes and my IPOD. My computer could not read it and on the back in small small letters was the warning. Some computers may not be able to play this CD!! I am mad that this was not brought to my attention before I paid for it. I now have a CD that I can only play in my car.

"