Customer Reviews

Andrea Bocelli - Amore

5 star:		(184)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

A voice like Andrea Bocelli's only comes along every generation or so, (if that) Caruso, Lanza, Pavarotti and Now Bocelli; They are my big 4. Not only does Bocelli have wonderful opera skills, but also tremendous pop singing skills, as well. As for classical singing; Bocelli's breath control is amazing; no one holds high, mid, and low notes (sang either intensely or softly) as long as Bocelli does. His diction is excellent; His tone is wonderful; His color is right in sink to the song being performed, dark or light, and all shads around those as needed. He has that tenor ring that can rise up over an orchestra, he sings just beautifully. As for his pop singing again it's spectacular; Bocelli can sing a pop song either in a classical way, or a bluesy way or almost anyway. He has tremendous versatility, I would rank him right at the top of pop singing for all time. Bocelli can sing big, bold, intense and beautiful, or can show us a soft side it seems like he is singing in one's ear, very sweetly and beautiful.

Amore: Is a CD (album) I have been Highly Anticipating; and it was worth the wait. Andrea burst on the scene (in the USA) with his fantastic recording ROMANZA, and So far on a few listens I would say this album AMORE ranks right up there with ROMANZA. Although I also Love Sogno, Andrea, and Cicli De Toscana (Bocelli's other pop CDs') as well. Bocelli's singing hear is Romantic, Passionate, and filled with Emotion and his voice will go right into your soul and provide you with delight. Bocelli has a certain vulnerability (for lake of a better word) in his voice (when he sings pop) that can fill you with peace. He is just amazing.

Amore is produced by David Foster along with co-producers Humberto Gatica and Tony Renis And the music hear is wonderful as well a stellar line up of the world's finest instrumentalists appear on Amore, Electric and acoustic guitarists, Dean Parks (Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, BB King) and Michael Landau (Pink Floyd, Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis); on Spanish guitars, mandolin, charango, bajo-sexto and vihuela Ramon Stagnaro (Luis Miguel, Alejandro Sanz, Enrique Iglesias); on bass Nathan East (Eric Clapton, Phil Collins); on drums Vinnie Colaiuta (Sting, Marcus Miller, David Sanborn); on piano and keyboards Randy Waldman (Barbara Streisand, Kenny G, George Benson); on percussion Paulinho Da Costa (Prince, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock) and Rafaela Padilla (Gloria Estefan, Alejandro Sanz); on trumpet the acclaimed soloist Chris Botti as well as others.

Amore includes:

1. Amapola - soft. sweet and romantic (well every song is romantic).
2. Besame Mucho (Latin American) Spanish guitar in Besame Mucho is fantastic, best version of Besame Mucho ever.
3. Les Feuilles Mortes (Autumn Leaves-French) WOW, beautiful, I may not like the french, sometimes, but there language is beautiful.
4. Mi Manchi (Italian)- featuring Kenny G - wonderful instrument to Voice trade off between Kenny G and Bocelli; a very sad and beautiful song.
5. Somos Novios (Spanish)(It's Impossible) - Duet with Christina Aguilera, impressive singing by Aguilera and fantastic harmony.
6. Solamente Una Vez (You Belong To My Heart-Latin American) nice guitar work, really every song is musically excellent. Like the self harmony.
7. Jurame (spanish)-faster paced love song.
8. Pero Te Extra No -Wow, Piano and Bocelli, Wow, did I say WOW, Just beautiful.
9. Canzoni Stonate - (Italian) Featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica and vocals, nice harmonica work sounds great, also coo to hear Stevie singing in Italian.
10. L'Appuntamento (Italian) A HIT for sure.
11. Cuando Me Enamoro Quando M'Innamoro Quando M'Innamoro (A Man who needs Love) cool version.
12. Can't Help Falling In Love (English)- RECORDED Live At Lake Las Vegas IN DECEMBER 2005.
13. Because We Believe (Italian/English)-completely beautiful it will be a huge hit.
14. Ama Credi E Vai (Because We Believe-Italian version) -completely beautiful it will be a huge hit in both English and Italian.

EVERY SONG IS BEAUTIFUL; This is a MUST have, essential CD.

Regardless of which language he chooses to sing, Bocelli's love songs strike all the right chords for a great romantic evening, just in time for Valentine's Day.

Italian, Spanish, French or English, these are songs you've heard before, just not quite like this. The world renowned tenor warms up with "Amapola", then launches into a stirring version of "Besame Mucho" a huge hit from way back in the 1940s. You'll find "Les Feuilles Mortes" very familiar, until you remember the song "Autumn Leaves", and then you'll be a little puzzled by the pronunciation of "Mi Manchi" which sounds like something else altogether.

An unlikely pairing with Christina Aguilera of "Dirrty" fame for "Somos Novios" make "It's Impossible" seem quite possible after all, and "Solamente Una Vez" is more familiar to Elvis fans as "You Belong To My Heart". Then comes "Jurame" (Think Of Me); "Pero Te Extraño" from the 1960s; Italian hit "Canzoni Stonate" this time with Stevie Wonder; "L'Appuntamento" a song with Brazilian roots; and the ever popular "Cuando Me Enamoro" a.k.a. "A Man Without Love".

You can't have a Valentine's album without "Can't Help Falling in Love", so here it is, in English, but a Live version. Two more beautiful tracks round out the album, versions of the song "Because We Believe" in English and Italian.

If you're in love, or hoping to be soon, you need to get this album before February 14.


Amanda Richards, February 9, 2006

Amore is unique in Andrea Bocelli's catalog for its laid-back ambience, a mood that he has not worked in before. The selections on this new offering are romantic, melodic, and sometimes very hot! He is clearly at home in French and Spanish as well as Italian, and his English is coming along also. It's refreshing to listen to performances in which Andrea is not pushing his voice but simply embracing the lovely music. The orchestration is understated but first class, and his collaboration with such greats as Stevie Wonder and Mario Reyes lends an additional element of interest.

It is very hard to describe this cd with words.. This Cd is pure magic! Bocelli has one of the greatest singing voices of all time, and he shows us why on this cd. The first track Amapola is so beautiful, and it is just a hint of the greatness of tracks to come, every track is excellent! My favorites so far are AMapola,Can't Help Falling in Love, Mi Manchi and the exquisite Because we Believe! Because we believe is so remarkable, Bocelli's vocals soar to the heavens, the arrangment, the music, the lyrics, the singing, this cd is phenomenable! Surely to become a classic, this cd is one of the best to come around in years! If i could give it 10 stars i would...

Oh. My. God. I am about to pass out with ecstacy and joy listening to this amazing album. All of my senses are on fire. I thought I liked Bocelli before I heard this cd (I own a few of his others) but I had no idea!! He is spectacular. This isn't opera. This isn't torch singing. This is pure brilliance. This is like Dean Martin, Jacques Brel, Eric Clapton, and Harry Connick, Jr. all rolled into one. I've never heard more beautiful vocals in my life. Seriously. This must be what heaven is like. Who needs chocolate or sex when you can have Andrea Bocelli?

I can't get enough of this CD by Andrea Bocelli. His opera work was familiar to me but this collection of romantic popular songs was a truly welcome present. Spanish, Italian, French and English tunes create a mellow atmosphere, with great accompaniment and some interesting vocal pairings.

Each of the fourteen tracks brings its own rewards but a few stand out for me. "Besame Mucho," the best version I ever heard of this romantic classic, is passionate and moody. "Mi Manchi (I Miss You)" pairs Bocelli with the incomparable Kenny G; the sentimental sound of the song matches the poignant lyrics so do check out a translation (unfortunately not included in the insert -- the only thing I'd change).

The fifth track is the unexpectedly lush "Somos Novios (It's Impossible)" in which former Mouseketeer Christina Aguilera joins Bocelli for a dreamy little duet. A couple of tracks further along Mario Reyes lends a sizzling flamenco guitar accompaniment to "Jurame (Promise Me)."

"Canzoni Stonate (Songs out of Tune)" is another duet, this time with Stevie Wonder. It's a good thing this one is in Italian, since the English translation tells a dodgy story -- but the sound is very appealing.

We have more great guitar accompaniment in "L'Appuntamento;" and the CD makes a strong finish with English and Italian versions of the inspirational "Because We Believe."

These and the other seven tracks on "Amore" add up to a romantic feast. I'm very impressed with Andrea Bocelli's versatility and with the production of this CD. "Amore" was released for Valentine's Day 2006, and it will stand the test of many Valentine's Days to come. If you are lucky in love, you'll want to cuddle up next to your special someone and enjoy this dreamy music.

Linda Bulger, 2008

This is a great album with popular songs tastefully performed by one of the finest tenors in the world. There is a certain vulnerability, depth and sensitivity to Andrea Bocelli that is unique and lends itself well to the popular genre of music. Other classical performers sometimes fall down when it comes to performing in this arena.

Also, the arrangements are well done which adds considerably to the impact of the album as whole. It is also a nice selection of music offering great variety, but it all hangs together.

This is romantic music and it sets a nice tone for a special evening or just relaxing. It is inspiring, uplifting and Bocelli's voice penetrates to the soul.

I don't think this album is quite as good as Romanza, but it is close and in reality I would rate it 4.5 stars. There are no real shortcomings, but it's not quite as creative or innovative as Romanza in my opinion.

I don't think you can go wrong with any Bocelli album, but this one is particularly good for a general audience who is looking for something that doesn't have too much of a classical style to it. I have heard other operatic tenors performing popular music and they often miss the mark by most of the general public's standards. This is not true of Bocelli; he has a gift for delivering excellent performances of popular music with his own unique style without sacrificing the original spirit of the music.

Let me start by letting anyone who is reading this that i do NOT consider myself a Bocelli fan. I have listened to this CD and I was happily impressed. The arrangements are truly outstanding, his singing is right on. Even Christina Aguilera, who tends to over sing (in my opinion) delivers to perfection. I would strongly recomment the following tracks: "Te extraño", "Somos Novios" and "Solamente Una Vez". BTW, Luis Miguel's versions? not the same...Bocelli manages to top them

I defy anyone to come up with an opera singer that sings pop
music as well as Andrea Bocelli does, even in languages other than their own. With his beautiful timbre, phrasing and emotion, you don't need to know the words to the songs because they go directly through the heart to your soul. BRAVO ANDREA! JUST WHAT THIS WORLD NEEDS! THANKS FOR THE MUSIC!

Five "Jaw-Dropping" Stars!! Make it SIX Stars!!! A beautiful, beautiful CD.
Andrea Bocelli's amazing voice leaves the classical realm to bend itself around some of the world's greatest love songs. HIS WAY!! I'll admit I was skeptical about the concept, but Andrea puts his personal stamp on songs we all know and which have been sung by many of the world's (other) greatest singers! Does it work? YOU BET!! And his voice adds so much drama to these classics. In Italian, French, English, or Spanish, he's more than up to the task of delivering stunning performances, over and over. Andrea is not competing with the likes of Sarah Vaughn's "Autumn Leaves" or Perry Como's "It's Impossible", but adding his own memorable versions to our IPods. And taking a page from the younger music crowd, he daringly has guests: a sultry Christina Aguilera, Kenny G, girlfriend Veronica Berti (much too briefly), and the fabulous Stevie Wonder (reminding us of how truly great a harmonica artist he is) all of whom are tremendous. Chris Botti is on trumpet in the orchestra and how proud he must have been to be in on this project.

My favorite 'Pieces de Resistance', best of the best, begin with the breathtaking "Amapola" with the amazing octave jump, and a fabulous "Besame Mucho", which astonishingly seems like it was tailor made for him. "It's Impossible" gets a new lease on life as a breathtaking duet from Christina Aguilera and Andrea: fabulous harmonies abound. "Solamente Una Vez" (multi-tracked voice, aka "You Belong To My Heart") is pure unadulterated beauty. "Canzoni stonate" is a hoot as Andrea and Stevie Wonder gently "scat" together in the second half of the song, following Wonder's 'killer' harmonica solo. Stevie seems to be able to play and sing with anyone, anywhere, as does Andrea. Both versions of the very inspirational "Because We Believe" soar with eagles. I think Pavoratti is gonna love this unusual wonderful CD. One question, where the heck was Nelly and Tony Bennett? LOL. This is a great CD for a candle-lit dinner, driving around town, or anytime you need inspiration. Andrea Bocelli is a singer's singer, his time is flawless, and he is so patient, wringing every ounce of poignancy from every note! Wonderful orchestra, great arrangement!! Hats off to David Foster, Humberto Gatica, and co - producer Tony Reni. Highly Recommended and a 'must-have' for 2006. SIX HUGE Stars.

(Note: This review is based on the 14 Track ITunes Music Store download of the CD. ITunes accidentally dropped Diana Krall's "Jingle Bells" into the download as an extra track. When I saw the listing prior to hearing the track, heck, I expected Bocelli to pull that one off too. Seriously, a Christmas Bocelli CD would be fantastic!)