Review's of amore

Stephanie · Joined: Jan 14, 2006 Posts: 66

http://www.calendarlive.com/music/reviews/cl-et-rack28jan28,0,4438014.story?coll=cl-albumreviews

Andrea Bocelli
"Amore" (Sugar/Decca)

Just in time for Valentine's Day, the Italian tenor turns his gossamer vocal cords to ?ºber-romantic songs delivered mostly in the Romance languages, with a couple in English tossed in for good measure.

Unlike a lot of classically minded singers who hope to broaden their audience ‚Äî and their bank balances ‚Äî Bocelli has a good feel for pop material. He won't supplant Elvis with his reading of "Can't Help Falling in Love," but his easy handling of syncopated rhythms and the occasional delayed phrasing ?† la Sinatra show he's not merely reciting notes on a page.

He's squarely in Josh Groban territory on "Amore" (due in stores Tuesday), no coincidence given the help he gets from Groban's mentor, superstar producer-arranger David Foster. "Amapola" is as ideal a romantic bonbon as anyone could hope for, Bocelli's delicate tone and dreamy delivery perfectly conveying the sense of longing.

Sometimes the orchestral backing slathers on too much syrupy sweetness; he's most effective in simpler arrangements with acoustic guitar and percussion with a subtle Latin jazz-pop slant.

A couple of big-name guests ‚Äî Christina Aguilera and Stevie Wonder (pretty much evident only for his harmonica work) ‚Äî bring more marquee value than musical enhancement, but it's really Bocelli's show, and in the woefully thin field of adult pop, he finds himself solidly at home.

Quawkers · Joined: Jan 05, 2006 Posts: 264 Location: Duckland - Bucks

Sounds very interesting this album. Only ever heard Andrea sing operatic stuff. I believe the release date is also 6th March? will have to start saving me pennies Very Happy

Thanks Stephanie Smile

Margaret. · Joined: Jan 05, 2006 Posts: 602

I see that Andrea Bocelli's album and Russell Watson's album are coming out the same day, you are right Vi we will have to start saving our pennies. Laughing

kcuteus · Joined: Jan 14, 2006 Posts: 172

thanks for that review.

xcept · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:54 pm Post subject:

We have a copy of the 'Amore' cd in the office and will post a review shortly Very Happy

Stephanie · Joined: Jan 14, 2006 Posts: 66

Here is another reveiw

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/30/arts/music/30choi.html

By THE NEW YORK TIMES
Published: January 30, 2006
Andrea Bocelli
Amore
(Decca)
A decade into his career as a singing Italian romance novel, Andrea Bocelli ventures cautiously outside the Mediterranean classical and semiclassical realm with "Amore," a collection of international pop ballads whose stentorian, star-spangled grandeur evokes Julio Iglesias times 10. With the producer David Foster supplying the same Hollywood tinsel he pours over Mr. Bocelli's American counterpart, Josh Groban, the stubbly heartthrob goes for the gold.

Mr. Foster composed the melody and Mr. Bocelli wrote the Italian lyrics for "Because We Believe" ("Ama Credi Evai"), the plodding inspirational song written for the 2006 Winter Olympics. Heard in two versions on the album, this "Three Blind Mice"-basic ballad, with its ski-jumping melodic leaps, preaches (in Amy Foster Gillies's English lyrics): "Like stars across the sky/ We were born to shine/ All of us here because we believe." How nice for us!

Like Mr. Bocelli's other records, this one answers the same primal appetite for formal romantic ballads declaimed by impassioned tenors that has flourished from Caruso through Mario Lanza to Mr. Groban. Produced in the modern manner, the songs come with clumping rock and Latin beats, and with the glamour quotient upped (Giorgio Armani gets a prominent credit), and on one cut, the Jose Jose hit "Pero Te Extrano," Mr. Bocelli bursts through with a moment or two of real passion.

Old hits for Perry Como ("It's Impossible") and Engelbert Humperdinck ("A Man Without Love") reappear in Spanish and Italian editions, and mismatched star pairings of Mr. Bocelli with Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder's harmonica and Kenny G's sax add marquee value, if little else. STEPHEN HOLDEN

kcuteus · Joined: Jan 14, 2006 Posts: 172

thanks

xcept · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:09 am Post subject:

ARTIST: ANDREA BOCELLI
ALBUM: AMORE

NEW YORK (Billboard) - For his latest album, chart-smashing Italian singer Andrea Bocelli turns to an international array of standards sung in Italian, French, Spanish and English that is sure to thrill fans. Gliding easily from "Besame Mucho" to "Can't Help Falling in Love," Bocelli shows off his signature sweet and light-toned voice, framed this time by lush and dreamy strings that recall Nelson Riddle's arrangements from the 1950s. Joined by guest artists like Stevie Wonder ("Canzoni Stonate"), Kenny G ("Mi Manchi") and Christina Aguilera ("Somos Novios"), Bocelli delivers a real Valentine swoon. Look for an all-Spanish version, "Amor," to hit Latin markets March 22.

Stephanie · Joined: Jan 14, 2006 Posts: 66

http://www.eonline.com/Reviews/Facts/Music/RevID/0,1107,3637,00.html

Andrea Bocelli
Amore

our grade
B

Artist / Band: Andrea Bocelli
Record Label: Decca/Universal
Release Date: January 31, 2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our Review:
Having thoroughly conquered the opera world, Andrea Bocelli attempts to connect with the kids on his latest release. Despite employing decidedly unhip guests like Kenny G, the great singer sounds rejuvenated by the pop production of Amore. Flamenco guitars and electronic rhythms slink around, as he lends his sensuous Italian voice to classic love songs such as "Somos Novious," an unexpectedly great duet with Christina Aguilera and "B?©same Mucho." There are a few moments of Vegas schmaltz--none more than the live version of "Can't Help Falling in Love," recorded in the city of flashing lights, appropriately enough--but for the most part, this is a convincing argument of reinvention.

mk · Joined: Feb 07, 2006 Posts: 2

Andrea has not conquered the opera world.He is not invited to sing in any of the major houses of the world. In the few opera houses in which he has sung, he has been severely criticised for having a small voice. However he has a large non-operatic fan base. He has revived the old fashioned notion of singing that our parents and grandparents grew up with. Viva Bocelli.

idonna · Joined: Feb 07, 2006 Posts: 7

Most of these critics base their suppositions on past performances because they are too lazy to leave their desks and travel to italy where a great majority of his most recent performances have been done. Although I've not yet had the opportunity to witness him in an opera, I have friends who have seen him in his last few operas, Werther and Madame Butterfly and say that at this point in his career he is very easily heard unmiked with orchestra even in an outside theatre as at the Puccini Festival. I think it will take him doing an opera in the US before critics can give a factual assessment of his current voice and we shouldn't rely on their opinions alone. Of course he isn't the greatest tenor the opera world has known, but he is a very good one.

That being said, "Amore" is truly as wonderful a CD as you could hope for. He only allows himself moments of popera and gives us a lot of those great lower registers and pure vocals that are as smooth as silk. Truly unique among what he has done so far and my favorite CD to date.

It was really nice finding this site as I didn't know it existed and appologize for jumping in so abruptly.

xcept · Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:41 pm Post subject:

mk and idonna, welcome to the site Very Happy

idonna, there is no need to apologize for sharing your opinion on this subject, it's exactly what we are looking for and I hope you'll continue to do so Smile

mk · Joined: Feb 07, 2006 Posts: 2

Thanks for the welcome. Todat I was sitting in Barnes and Nobles enjoying coffee and books. While Iwas there three CDs were played; Amore,Barry Manilow's and Michael Buble. The CDs were played in their entirety. What I noticed was that Andrea clearly had the most beautiful voice, however, his songs all sounded the same with a plaintive quality to the vocals. I was really taken with Manilow and Bubles word phrasing which really added interest to whatever they sang.Has anyone else noticed this?

idonna · Joined: Feb 07, 2006 Posts: 7

This CD gives us a no frills Bocelli which I actually like a lot. And I think the smooth, plaintive quality of his singing is especially appropriate for the spanish numbers. The "Andrea" CD is very high energy compared to this one. Given the nature of most of the songs, I think this particular CD needed a laid back delivery. And he does step it up in a couple of numbers. Love Jurame and Quando M'inammoro. And we get the trademark sweeping ballad in "Because We Believe". His voice has always been described as "melancholic". I think it is part of it's attraction for a lot of folks. I like the fact you can drift along with this CD song after song without one or two seeming out of place. Nothing disturbs the flow or mood of CD I guess is what I'm trying to say. Excellent

xcept · Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:57 pm Post subject: