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| Italia | 
 enlarge | Artist: Chris Botti
Label: Sony
Category: Music
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $8.99
You Save: $5.99 (40%)
New (47) Used (20) from $8.24
Avg. Customer Rating:  64 reviews
Sales Rank: 342
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 707606
UPC: 886970760621
EAN: 0886970760621
ASIN: B000U788RK
Release Date: September 25, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED CD,THERE IS A PUNCH MARK ON THE CORNER OF THE CASE,FREE FIRST CLASS SHIPPING UPGRADE
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| Customer Reviews:
 The best yet for old Botti fans, great place to start for new ones September 26, 2007
6 out of 13 found this review helpful
Having been a fan of Chris Botti since first seeing him live with Sting some time ago, like many, I look forward to each new disc more each time. This one is the best of what I like in particular- mostly easy songs, simple melodies, and the best way to relax in any number of moods.
I am not a professional critic, and don't pretend to rank Chris' work with any unique perspective on his place in history. I do know that if you enjoy this type of music, including any of his previous work, you absolutely will not be disappointed in this new set. I think that his ability to promote music of this quality and artistic value in the mainstream is good for all of the other so-called jazz maestros that others (like on the message board here) would rather profess to be better than Botti. So be it, but just enjoy the music, anyway!
The title track, with Andrea Bocelli, is nearly perfect music to this listener- it pours right through your body with simple purity of sound. I was never a big Andrea Bocelli fan, but this combination of his singing, with Chris' trumpet tone, and this song is a perfect match.
Warning to anyone buying the deluxe set with the DVD anywhere (don't see it on Amazon)-- they might have botched another of CB's CD's: while the package notes the bonus audio tracks, they are nowhere to be found! (Remember the original fiasco with the XCP spyware class action suit on 'To Love Again'?) If you put the new bonus DVD in your PC and go online, his website seems to know you bought it, allowing you the choice of downloading the four bonus tracks or having a CD mailed to you. I look forward to those extra tracks to round out what is a phenominal record.
Highly recommended, as is seeing Chris in concert if you have the chance.
A beautiful album... November 6, 2007
6 out of 12 found this review helpful
With Italia, Chris Botti has once again delivered a lushly orchestrated album of astonishing beauty, full of memorable, breath-taking performances. He not only proves there's wisdom in the old adage, if it ain't broke, don't fix it - but instead of resting simply on his laurels, with each successive album he's succeeded in making his "formula" of richly orchestrated, romantic standards better. Where To Love Again focused on duets, Italia focuses on Botti's trumpet playing with only a handful of vocal tracks (similar to his break-out album, When I Fall In Love). The inspiration of the album is, of course, the music of Italy, and in keeping with that theme Botti interprets two compositions by master film composer Ennio Morricone - the hauntingly beautiful "Deborah's Theme" from Once Upon a Time in America and "Gabriel's Oboe" from The Mission. The lushly orchestrated, David Foster-penned "Italia" pairs Botti with one of contemporary Italy's most famous voices, Andrea Bocelli. "Estate" is Botti's gorgeous solo version of the track that he accompanied Bocelli on for the tenor's Andrea Bocelli: Under the Desert Sky [DVD Included] project. Three of the tracks on Italia mine the realm of classic popular song, evocative of Italy because of their close association with interpretations by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. "The Very Thought of You" is a sublime duet with Paula Cole - her voice, featured on When I Fall In Love and To Love Again, once again proves to be an ideal complement to Botti's trumpet. With her whisper-soft vocal and Botti's velvety-smooth trumpet playing, it's a seductively dreamy performance. "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" pairs Botti with Dean Martin (this track also appears on the Forever Cool duets album). The arrangement is swinging and playful, and Botti's trumpet effortlessly plays off of Martin's smooth vocals. As he proved with To Love Again, Botti is an expert at complementing a vocal, and the fact that the duet with Martin sounds so real, so convincing, is a testament to his skill as a performer. The trio of up tempo numbers is rounded out with "The Way You Look Tonight," the Fields-Kern classic featuring a sparkling arrangement that I can easily imagine Sinatra swinging to in his prime. The album ends with a stunner - Botti's jaw-droppingly gorgeous rendition of "Nessun Dorma," the highlight of the instrumental tracks. As some other reviews have noted, there's not much improvisation on this disc. However in my opinion the lack of improvisation highlights Botti's skill as a trumpeter -- there's no room for error in a song like "Nessun Dorma," and he delivers a spine-tingling, spot-on accurate performance. The control he exhibits on such tracks is quite frankly awe-inspiring. Italia is another wonderfully addictive offering from Chris Botti's seemingly endless reservoir of creativity and talent. I had the thrill of seeing him perform live earlier this year - if you ever get the chance, GO. When you see him perform live and cut loose with his band, and then contrast that with the beautifully orchestrated, soaring trumpet playing he exhibits on an album like Italia, one's respect for the scope of his talent increases tenfold.
Botti delivers again October 17, 2007
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
As a trumpet player, i can appreciate the difficulty of what Chris Botti has put together on this album. This album, as did When I Fall in Love, shows his ability to play both sides of the horn (classical and jazz) extremely well. The music on this album is very relaxing and beautiful. Botti once again delivers a strong performance and as always exudes passion and love for the music he plays from his horn. I reccomend this to Botti fans, trumpet players, and anyone who wants to hear good music, whether it be classical or jazz.
 Missed the Mark. December 21, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Do not buy this. Buy When I Fall in Love instead. Chris sounds flat. It's hard to describe, but this CD really is not his best. I love to see Chris perform live and go to every concert of his when in town. This one really missed the mark of excellence for me. I look forward to his next CD.
Another fine smooth jazz CD from Chris Botti September 25, 2007
4 out of 9 found this review helpful
Italia
Chris Botti has yet again produced a fine album of hauntingly lovely songs. My personal top tracks are: "Once Upon A Time..." "Italia" (with Bocelli), "Caruso," "Gabriel's Oboe," "Venice," "Estate`," and "Nessun Dorma" will turn me into a puddle every time! Botti's rendition is simply lovely.
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