Customer Reviews

Chris Botti in Boston [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was there for both nights of the taping in Boston. This concert was phenomenal. The performance with Steven Tyler is worth the price of admission alone. Chris Botti has a knack for getting "A" list guests and getting something totally new from each of their performances. A stunning recording of a spectacular night.

I caught this show on PBS-WTTW in Chicago and it is spectacular! I fell in love during this show! Chris Botti is a dream on the trumpet and the show from start to finish was fantastic! He brings together such an array for talent that I was hooked from the first minute. Even if you are not a "jazz" fan, this music is so mellow, so contemporary, so eclectic, so luscious that you can't help but enjoy it as I did. I want to hear (see) it again, and again!!!

I saw this last night on PBS....RUN, do NOT walk to order this one. Simply majestic and spectacular music from all corners.

I'm not certain that Chris Botti could release anything that I wouldn't rate a 5 so understand my bias. I have most of his audio CDs and I would rate this DVD near the top. Botti, in his own icy-cool signature, soulful and soothing sound - draws from jazz, pop and classical musical in his line-up. This CD was recorded at an event which took place on September 18th 2008 at Boston's famous Symphony Hall where Botti is joined by the Boston Pops Orchestra. In addition to new and seemingly even more compelling spins on his classic instrumental trumpet solos ("When I fall in Love"; "Time to Say Goodbye"; "Ave Maria"), Botti invites a unique cast of artists to join him on stage including Sting, Josh Groban, Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Yo-Yo Ma, John Mayer and Katherine McPhee (American Idol) - with my favorites being "I've Got You Under My Skin" with Botti/McPhee and "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" with Botti/Sting and John Mayer's rendition of Sinatra's "Glad to Be Unhappy." Botti is at the top of his game in this performance - crisp, warm and soothing - and the man can hit and stick the high notes. Sit back, relax and be prepared to be entertained - - Botti has the magical ability to take you away to a happy place.

I saw this on PBS a few nights ago and it blew my mind! To be honest, I have never heard of him before, and the thought of watching a trumpet concert would not usually spark my interest--but this was AMAZING!!! The variety of vocal guests added such an incredibly dynamic to his performance. I loved all of it, but especially "I got you under my skin." My twelve year old son is starting junior high this coming fall, and met the band director at his new school last night. He is trying to decide between the tuba, trombone, and trumpet! I can't wait for him to see this!

I purchased this Blu-ray from Amazon before the holidays and will confirm that it is of the highest quality. Perhaps the best review I can give is that my wife and I have watched it at least 6 times together and it has such good parts that we've shared it with friends when they are over for the evening. A lot of my friends are musicians, so the evening turns into "You have to see the drum solo on the last song," or "There's a part where Josh Groban messes up Sting's lyrics during a duet with Sting in the bonus features!"

* Performance
- My faves are Josh Groban, Sting, Steven Tyler, and in general, Chris Botti, his band, and the Boston Pops. Wow. So good.

* Video quality
- Not only does it sound amazing, but as a musician, I really appreciate the long, detailed camera shots of Chris Botti's 4-piece band. Drums, bass, guitar, and piano. These players are not only technically fantastic, but they are so expressive when they perform. It takes the show to a whole new level, and I much prefer it compared to David Foster's Blu-ray where the band is mostly darkened near the back of the stage. Looks great on my 54" Panasonic G-10 Plasma. I'm using a PS3 to play the Blu-ray.

* Audio
- I currently only have 2.1 audio, but the mix sounds good to my ears. It certainly is quality enough to be made a live, audio-only CD album.

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this DVD. Chris Botti does an outstanding job. My absolute favorites are Emmanual featuring Lucia Micarelli and Cinema Paradiso with Yo-Yo Ma. All the performances were really good but these two where simply heavenly.

Wow! I saw part of this Blu-Ray in a Best Buy here in MN and was immediately impressed. I wanted to buy it then and there but, alas, they were out of it as were all of the other Best Buy stores in the Twin Cities. (Why have it on as a demo in your store when you don't have any to sell?) So I ordered this from Amazon and am still totally impressed.

Technically, the Dolby TrueHD 7.1/5.1 sound track is enveloping, crisp, and impeccably mixed. (I only have 5.1 so cannot comment on the 7.1 mix.) The smooth sound of Chris' trumpet is perfectly captured not being harsh nor dark. Chris has amazing tone and it's beautifully represented on this disk. The picture is stunning without presenting annoying hues that many live concert videos do. Thank the lighting crew for that. The blacks are dark yet detailed, and the colors vibrant. Detail overall is excellent.

Performances? You will see some musicians in circumstances that you have never seen them before. Yo Yo Ma jamming with Chris on the beautiful "Cinema Paradiso", and Steven Tyler (Yes, that one!) singing "Smile" (Yes, that one!) to his father in the front row. Both are simply astonishing performances. And violinist Lucia Micarelli with blow you away with her passionate, and emotional playing.

To tell you the truth, I had not even heard of Chris Botti before I saw this disk. I am not just a fan raving about this Blu-Ray, but a person that was totally captured initially and continue to love this performance. It does lag a bit in the 2nd quarter of the show, but picks up again with some spectacular songs with great guest artists. (John Mayer, Kathrine McPhee anyone?)

Chris plays a humble yet very competent host and I think that even if you are not a fan of this type of music, you'll be hard pressed to stop watching this disk.

I own both Chris Botti's Blu-ray titles. This one is produced later and I have to say better than the first one. Sy Smith is a wonderful and pleasant surprise! I love Jass and Blue especially in the night. I image strolling in the street of Bayou towns, a lonely traveller far away from home, rainny or maybe a little drizzling, long shadow on the pocketful ground drawn by a street light, or sipping cocktail in my mid-rise apartment looking down to the street of New Orlean...etc. My wife is an accountant. She constantly works late into the night. I put on Chris Botti's Blu-ray in the background and accompany her by her side. We just listen to it again and again. It is also for lovers. It's a "must buy" for your collection.

I was in a Sony Store when the BluRay CD of this concert was playing. It stopped me in my tracks! The performances were magical! My only wish is that I could have seen it live. Buy it! No regrets. Blu Ray is the only way to go when watching it.