Customer Reviews

Cieli di Toscana

5 star:		(127)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

It's quite interesting the controversey that Bocelli stirs up. Notice that none of the negative reviews contain any specific reference to "Cieli di Toscana", merely they are attacks on him. This has convinced me to write my first review here.

I own and have listened to this album. Andrea's voice and soul speak to me... his songs hit a cord. I'm not interested in his place in history, comparisons to Caruso or Pavarotti; merely that his voice and music make my life a little bit better. This is a quality album, with sentimental songs, sung with passion and heart. Andrea is a romantic singer.

I've seen him three times in concert (and will again next week in New Jersey), own all of his albums and thoroughly enjoy his work, personality and charm.

As for his reputation in Italy; if you know anything about Italians, you'll know that dispute is part of the culture. In fact, Italians do listen to him and you will hear his music throughout much of that country.

Andrea's music has comforted me, cheered me, made me reflect and made my life just a little bit better.

Isn't that what music is supposed to do?

I have read the reviews of 4 people who presume to be knowledegeable music critics and, as it happens, reside in the USA. One wonders how people can arrogantly criticize an artist's personal soul expression of his life experiences in his native land as those which are are represented in this album by Bocelli toward his beloved Tuscany.

As a musician myself, I have spent the past 20 years working with other artists from different areas of the USA and Europe. It has been a great honor and joy to hear them express their art often as a reflection of their home state, city or country. One learns quickly that music like painting is impressionistic at a soul level. Does this make an artist's personal experiential contribution less valid? Hardly.

Somehow, it seems to elude these self styled "critics" that Andrea Bocelli has a huge following for solid and very valid reasons. He does connect with counteless listeners at a deeply emotional and visceral place that some other opera greats, who may or may not be technically "superior", all too often do not. This does not discount the beauty of other artists' music, but it does say that Bocelli consistently creates a sonic environment where the listener can feel his emotion deeply. Moreover, it is impossible to miss the sweetness of his nature that is easily apparent when watching him sing such as on the video of this CD.

It is crystal clear how his environment's beauty affects this singer. Even though he cannot see he can hear the richness of the people and the experiences of daily life. His voice shimmers like a brilliant light upon the glittering sea. One aches with his emotional renditions that at times can make one find tears streaming just from its poignancy of expression. Very few artists are capable of this evocative expression. Bocelli is a rare artist and I adore him and his music.

I felt the need to review Andrea Bocelli's CD after I read the egotistical reviews of other individuals. Comments such as his terrible phrasing, lack of range, and others put me in a state of disgust. When Andrea Bocelli came to a local arena near me, I had the pleasure of hearing him sing, not only the concert, but was also able to meet him backstage. I have quite an opera fan, and I have yet to hear a tenor that can hit a low F an octave below middle C, then wail on the infamous tenor high C. In the last track, #14, he graces us with his phenomenal Bb numerous times, and holds the last Bb for over 12 seconds. But he is losing his range and has no phrasing? I do not believe that is true. His voice has a light quality which his not totally legit for standing next to Pavarotti, but not everyone can be Pavarotti, and I highly doubt everyone would want to listen to Pavarotti imitators. Bocelli has his own style, and no one will ever be able to capture his sound.

Every CD Andrea Bocelli has release in the US I own, and I guarantee you will enjoy his unique style.

Andrea Bocelli seems to generate a love/hate response with many reviewers. Those who love him say he is a wonderful popular singer and they are not far wrong. "Con Te Partiro," "Vivo per Lei," "The Prayer," and "Miserere," are a few "hits" that have won him a large and appreciative audience. He seems to do especially well when partnered with the likes of Sarah Brightman, Marta Sanchez, and Celine Dion.

Those who dislike him compare him with the great Italian tenors like Enrico Caruso, yet no one compares with Caruso for beauty ahd clarity of tone and seeming ease at reaching the High C. Nor is Bocelli in the same league with the classic Italian tenors of the last half century like Franco Corelli, with his powerful voice, or Luciano Pavorotti, with his beautiful tone. Bocelli is not a singer in this tradition and should not be compared with any of these tenors. People who are searching for singers in the great tenor tradition would do well to buy the records of Jose Cura, Roberto Alagna, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras, and of course, Pavorotti, the new benchmark for tenors.

I own six of Bocelli's CDs and I have found something to like on all of them, Tuscan Skies being no exception. Bocelli is at his best in the lower and mid registers where he is not straining to reach the high notes. At his best his voice is warm and his tone is clear and beautiful.

Today Andrea Bocelli is an international celebrity and few people will be buying his CDs who have not seen him on television or heard him on the radio. It is time to say goodbye to criticizing Andrea Bocelli for what he is not and instead enjoy his music for what it is, a popular entertainment of surprisingly good quality.

The voice-- the melodies-- the emotions! Andrea Bocelli has done it again with this CD. You will love this recording. Prepare the pasta, open the chianti, light the candles and drift away to Tuscany with Bocelli as your guide. I can't tell you my favorite track yet, but it's getting maximum play in my CD player. Makes my kitchen seem like a little piece of Italy even on a weeknight.

I am a BIG fan of Bocelli and I have traveled all over the US to his concerts. Needless to say I was eager to hear his new CD. The first time I listened I was disappointed. There is a certain sameness (is that a word?)to the sound, both vocal and instrumental, on all the tracks except Il Diavolo E L'Angelo. That is the only piece that really jumped out with real life to it. HOWEVER, after listening many times this CD has really grown on me and I like it alot. I can understand why Meloderamma was chosen as a single; it has a very sweeping, dramatic sound and feel that works wonderfully for Andrea's voice. I also like the gentle, flowing start to Resta Qui and the way the song builds as it progresses but I think Bocelli sometimes sounds strained.
On the whole Cieli di Toscana is as varied as the skies it's named for. It is a CD full of musical color, sometimes bright and sunny, sometimes dark but always subtly changing. This CD is the type of music Bocelli sings best, even though I do love to hear his classical CD's too. It's not as good as Sogno but I would definitely buy it and recommend it to anyone who likes adult contemporary music. I really like the UK release better than the US release because of the song "Tornera la Neve" which is not on the US CD. It is a fine song that Andrea sings well.

This is my fourth CD purchase from Andrea. I also own Romanza, Sogno, and Sacried Arias. I have to say that Cieli di Toscana is my favorite from all of them. Although I do not understand one word of Italian, the music and Andrea's voice gives me goosebumps all over! I especially enjoy song #5 "Mascagni" as well as #7 "Il Mistero Dell'Amore". Both tracks are absolutely gorgeous! All of the songs are excellent, you won't find yourself skipping around at all. Get this CD - you will not be sorry!

This is yet another example of beautiful music from a versatile and talented performer. Returning to "pop" music for the first time since the release of Sogno, Andrea Bocelli gives us a lovely collection of songs that explore the more mellow tones of his considerable vocal talent. Since he has devoted his most recent efforts to his classical tenor voice, it has been too easy to forget that he has a beautiful lower range as well. This album brings that lovely lower tone back to us in such songs as "Chiara" and the beginning of "Resta Qui".

It has been a constant annoyance that the so-called "opera afficionados" have blasted Andrea Bocelli and those who appreciate his voice, as if those who disagree with them must be unschooled or unknowledgeable in classical music and vocal technique. To the contrary, there are many such as myself who have both musical training and conservatory degrees who find the beautiful purity of Bocelli's voice beyond compare. Bocelli's lovely voice is introducing millions to classical music as well as providing enjoyable modern "pop" ballads, and his voice is worthy of an open-minded, unbiased listen. Listen and enjoy!

It's not opera, and maybe there are others with better voices, but this album is beautiful from beginning to end. I play it all the time and it is soothing to the soul. I'm glad he didn't share any of the songs with other artists. There are no gimmicks, no wierd passages, nothing to interrupt the flow of the music or disturb the listener.

I've since purchased two other albums by Mr. Bocelli, and I think this is the best I've heard so far. I will be watching for future releases.

I have been listening to Ceili di Toscana continously; it was love at first sound! I have a wonderful "pop" song. Il Coraggio di dire ti amo by Testa-Renis (songwriters on this cd) sung by the famous Domingo, the dramatic operatic tenor, on "Romantic Nights" cd. It indicates to me that opera singers are VERY capable of both mediums with the same good quality voice! Bocelli possesses both abilities and will exhibit this in all his future cd recordings. The world has many more treats from the voice of Bocelli; this is another choice cd to be relished! He comforts the listener!