Chris Botti - When I Fall in Love
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Free Music Notes for When I Fall in Love
Free Music Review: Sail up to the stars
Hit: 5 Stars
Ah, that perennial conundrum. Is it a smooth jazz performance or is it just instrumental pop? For years I've railed against artistes like Kenny G, George Howard, Najee and even Norman Brown (for a minute); artistes who not only think it's clever to play their instruments along the vocal melodies of pop songs and claim they're playing jazz but actually go on to have massive commercial success at it. They play just enough improvisation to substantiate their claims but not too much, so as not to scare the horses. Not that I've got anything against jazz artistes doing pop tunes. Even the heavyweight Pat Metheny did a cover on his last solo album, "One Quiet Night" but it was a Norah Jones song and it was almost a one-off. He certainly doesn't do entire albums of covers. I just think it's lazy and boring.
"As seen on: Oprah [and] The Today Show", proudly stated the sticker that came on this CD and indeed, although I had been aware for some time of his seemingly endless residence on the Billboard charts, it was on Ms Winfrey's show that I first heard Chris Botti. Oprah's no fool, I thought, and while nothing I heard on the show made me believe that this was anything other than what I thought it was, his appearance on the show was enough to make me want to find out more. I wanted to be sure before I dismissed him outright.
But the expected ennui did not come. Right from the first tune, I was taken in by the lush orchestration, which reminded me of great classic music and movies from the 40s and 50s. His trumpet playing is straightforward enough but it has a quality of tone to it that was mesmerising. I immediately imagined myself kicking back on a high-rise balcony looking out on the city, late at night or on a sea front patio gazing out to sea. I told my friend: "The music just lifts you up and you feel like you want to grow wings and go kiss the stars." All in all, it's pretty amazing stuff.
And while some of the songs, like "No Ordinary Love", do appear rather tidy, rather predictable, there are others, like "Let's Fall In Love", "Make Someone Happy" and "Cinema Paradiso" (which has a wonderful piano solo by Billy Childs), that are more daring and where he really kicks in some oomph and gets real jazzy. I think there's something here for everyone. Paula Cole sounds angelic lovely on "What'll I Do?" and "How Love Should Be" and Sting adds additional credibility and swing on "La Belle Dame Sans Regrets". "Nearness of You" is one of the most moving ballads I've heard in a while and "One For My Baby" just made me want to cry. Maybe because that song always reminds me of Frank Sinatra.
But is it jazz? Well, it's not quite as adventurous as Miles Davis or as complicated as Kenny Wheeler but on the whole, I think it is, and good jazz at that. It's incredibly accessible; hence it's chart success, but maybe jazz needs to be. Sometimes.
Free Music Review: "When I Fall In Love"
Hit: 5 Stars
"I have often been seduced by the melody of a beautiful song. That these melodies often play to our notion of what romance is, or how it feels, is something that captivates and inspires me when I play. I'm grateful I've been given the opportunity to reach into that peaceful, transcendent moment and share it with others." ~ Chris Botti
The genius of trumpet whose kind of music is so spellbinding has done it again. This recording is a chock-full of lovely ballads splendidly interpreted by Mr. Botti. His trumpet playing style is exquisitely fabulous and perfect. Each and every track is a treasure! And the entire CD offers delightful renditions by the greatest trumpet player of today, his guest vocalists Sting and Paula Cole, some of the finest arrangers Jeremy Lubbock, Billy Childs, Gil Goldstein, Marc Schulman and Bobby Colomby with the London Session Orchestra and the rest of the studio musicians.
These timeless tunes were tastefully chosen from the musical treasures of the best songwriters and composers of all-time; George and Ira Gershwin, Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart, Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen & Ted Koehler, Edward Heyman & Victor Young, and Paul Edgar Johnson, among others.
My personal favorites are of course the loveliest classic ever composed and the title track "When I Fall In Love," the silky and smooth sound of Rodgers & Hart's chestnut "My Romance," Irving Berlin's "What'll I Do?" with the impressive vocals of Paula Cole and a touch of Mr. Botti's voice on background, the jazzy and upbeat Billy Childs' arrangement of Arlen & Koehler's "Let's Fall In Love," Paul Johnson's "The Nearness Of You," and Gershwins' "Someone To Watch Over Me" superbly arranged by Jeremy Lubbock.
The samba-ish rendition of "La Belle Dame Sans Regrets" with vocals by Sting and one of Sade's signature songs "No Ordinary Love" are also impressive and noteworthy.
According to Chris, "if his career were to end today, this is the body of work that he is most proud of." To me, this recording is truly his crowning glory. Congratulations Mr. Botti for your superb performances on this CD.
* * * * *TEN STARS!* * * * *
Free Music Review: "this album makes everyone happy ~ Chris Botti"
Hit: 5 Stars
Sony Classical presents the jazz of today at it's finest hour "When I fall In Love", featuring trumpeter Chris Botti, Dominic Miller [guitar], Sting [vocals], Paula Cole [vocals], Jill Zadeh [vocals], The London Session Orchestra, Bill Childs Trio and Fender Rhodes [piano] ~ mellow and smooth music with irresistible arrangements that whisper to you in the night.
Botti has mastered a style which blends smooth jazz and a Miles Davis style, keeping both worlds happy in the genre of JAZZ...he gently caresses a song with a loving tenderness that is ever so gentle...it's almost as if he's looking into your soul, and slows things down a bit for your enjoyment.
Now let's chime in with the cues at hand ~ "WHEN I FALL IN LOVE", composed by Victor Young, arranged by Marc Shulman, remember this as the Nat "King" Cole big hit album of the '50s..."WHAT'LL I DO?", an Irving Berlin song, Gil Goldstein arrangement, vocals by Chris Botti and Paula Cole..."NO ORDINARY LOVE", written by Mathewman/Adu, arranged by Jeff Lorde, Brian Bromberg & Bobby Colomby, vocals of Jill Zadeh..."MY ROMANCE", composers Rodgers & Hart penned this classic standard, beautiful arrangement by Jeremy Lubbiock with the London Session Orchestra..."LA BELLE DAME SANS REGRETS", Dominic Miller & Sting puts pen to paper, vocals by Sting, Dominic Miller [guitar], Billy Childs [ piano], Gil Goldstein [accordion] and the London Session Orchestra with a beautiful arrangement by Gil Goldstein which is ever so gentle..."MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY", recorded mainly as a vocal, Botti makes this one his own and nails every note with his distinctive signature style..."CINEMA PARADISO", one of my favorite composers Ennio Morricone with a heartwrenching composition, haunting performance by Botti, Dean Parks [guitar], Billy Childs [piano], Brian Bromberg [bass], Billy Kilson [drums] Paulinho Da Costa [percussion] and the London Session Orchestra ~ entire album is a must have for Jazz Lovers and setting the mood for love ~ just the way you like 'em.
Total Time: 59:22 on 13 Tracks ~ Sony 92872 ~ (9/28/2004)
Free Music Review: Chris has done it again..
Hit: 5 Stars
Prior to Oprah's endorsement of Chris Botti, and his appearances on The Caroline Rhea Show I have followed Chris Botti since I first encountered a performance of his on Sting's tour a few years ago. Since then I have been an avid listener of his work and I have had the pleasure of meeting him a few times when he was on The Caroline Rhea Show. I think out of all his cds, and I have all of them including a lot of his guest appearances on other people's cds, that this cd is rivaling "Slowing Down the World" as a favorite of mine. Those who know Chris' music are aware that he likes to take contemporary jazz to a new level and on this album he works with some standards as well as popular songs like Sade's "No Ordinary Love" and gives them his own interpretation. A lot of people will say things like, oh if you are into the originals, just buy the original tracks. It's my opinion that the standards chris has chosen such as "The Nearness of You", "When I fall in Love" are revived in such a way that it's not an impersonation of a classic, but a contemporary interpretation. Chris also works with the legendary Burt Bacharach on this album and you can really hear the influence coming through. I like to compare Chris to a musician like Jimi Hendrix, he's someone who successful expresses emotions through the instrument he plays. He laughs with it, he cries with it, and basically just touches something in your soul that you can't put your finger on. That's why I gave "When I fall in Love" a 5 star rating. If you are just introducing yourself to Chris' work I thinkt his is a good album to start with. If you aare a long time fan of his work, like I am, I think this album sets itself apart from his other work and is a great compilation. Congrats to Chris for all your success :)
Free Music Review: Refreshingly Soulful
Hit: 5 Stars
Chris Botti was the opening act at the Josh Groban concert in Norfolk. I have to admit, when he came out on stage, and I saw a trumpet in his hands, my husband and I thought about skipping out. (We immediately thought, "uh, oh, SMOOTH JAZZ.") But, we stayed seated, and were we glad we did. Chris (and the musicians that accompanied him) played a fantastic show. He is ANYTHING BUT that smooth jazz crap you hear in bagel shops and dentist offices. His playing was beautiful, and very souful. (His drummer was AMAZING as well). When Chris mentioned that he had copies of his CD for sale at the concert, I rushed up during intermission to get one. When I Fall In Love is relaxing and beautiful. I have never bought a jazz trumpet cd before, so I am sure there are probably better jazz reviewers out there, but I am writing this review for those of you who, like me, might not be sure. Click the purchase button! You will not be disappointed. The mix of songs are great - some sound more like traditional jazz and some sound more modern, but none of them are cheezy in the sense of "smooth jazz". It's really a great listen.
One final thing - Chris is a GREAT performer, and was very down to earth. He dedicated My Funny Valentine (in fact, got down INTO the crowd and PLAYED) for a little 7 1/2 year old girl. I am sure it made her night! He spoke about how inspiring it was to see a youngster coming out to a Josh Groban concert (I think she may have actually been there for Lucia Micarelli, Josh's concert master). Chris is not only a great musician, but seems like a really great guy.