Customer Reviews

If I Could Tell You

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

There's only one word to describe it and that is: WOW!

In this beautifully made album, Yanni has found a whole new musical world. After three years of waiting, this new album is quite a pleasant surprise. Yanni reflects on his much more gentler side and takes on a whole new approach to his music. He has redefined his sound to a new level adding influences from his past recent experiences during his tour and of course his new home in sunny Florida. This album is a quite unique composition yet vaguely familiar , here he adds polished up new melodies along with beautiful ambient background accompaniment, tight intricate captivating cross-rythms and tight bass not to mention the lovely emotional choir of voices. In "On sacred ground", Yanni reflects on his orthodox side and adds a beautiful choir at the begining of the song reminiscent of some Greek Orthodox hymns.The most beautiful piece of the song is a little ahead when you suddendly hear the bongo drums and the cross rythyms begin to be heard then, then the main rythym comes in with sudden force and contintues on from there just getting more lovely to the end. (this one is my all time favorite on the cd) "The Flame Within" reflects on his Greek side and his homeland, adding a wonderful Greek influence with a mysterious minor scale,adding piano along with a keyboard made sound of the outi (the Greek version of the ud), my most favorite part is in the middle of the song. This is my second favorite. The other ones are just as lovely to har to, from the operatic-like "Midnight Hymn" to the Hindu influenced "November sky", the upbeat techno-south african influenced "Wishing Well" and the catchy "Highland" along with the romantic piano love song of "If I could tell You" and ending with the modest catchy bouzouki-tinged sounds of "Reason for Rainbows".

This album overall is one of the best ones I've heard of Yanni. It is very beautiful and relaxing but of course not as grand or explosive as Yanni's previous works but it is a very acceptable Yanni work and very enjoyable.Changes are good and Yanni did do a lovely change. It takes a while to fully appreciate the cd at first since it does possess a new Yanni sound but once you get used to it, it is a treat for the ears. It is a lovely change in style. For Yanni fans, you are in for a relaxing treat. Personally, I have no problem of the cd, it is just a splendid gift for me. Upon first hearing this cd, I was moved emotionally, I have no regrets on getting the album. I just love, LOVE this cd! If this cd is just not what you expected and wanted more of an orchestra, think of the album as the trough of a wave, Yanni is regenerating his energy for later, maybe in his next release we'll hear the strong, forceful heavy live sounds of Yanni again, but this album is just a lovely surprise, wonderful elegant music.I realize now in what way Yanni is going in his music. I recommend it for any Yanni fan out there.

Yassou Yanni!

The moment i heard that there was a new album from yanni, i rushed to the record store(several times) and kept asking when it would be released..although it stated october 3rd, sometimes the albums are released earlier than scheduled..anyway "If I Could Tell You" is probably in my opinion the best album of music from yanni, the new age king. Being a new age composer myself, i relate most of my compositions to yanni's..this new album is filled with breathtaking melodies and fully diverse musical escapades that yanni is well capable of. the album was scheduled to be released here in malaysia only on october 16th, but i received the cd on october 7th..with a little help from fedex..i just couldn't wait even a day longer to hear it as i had already heard most of the samples from his yanni.com website..My personal favoorites are 'With An Orchid', 'The Flame Within', 'Midnight Hymn' & 'A Walk In The Rain'..every second of the 62 odd minutes of music on this cd is fascinating enough and i well look forward to another spectacular concert event from yanni. The tribute video which i received with this cd is also a masterpiece in it's own right..to sum it up, this is the best album ever created by the best new age musician ever..period.p.s. if you listen to my music, you'll see the resemblance in yanni's music..

I have been a Yanni fan for at least 10 years. I anxiously awaited this CD and am plesed to say I love it. I read a few of the reviews and was a little disappointed by some of the negative comments. Yanni's last CD - Tribute - was written directly for his band and orchestra together for the concerts in India and China, and the sound was strong and beautiful. On the other hand, Live at the Acropolis was a CD from his now famous concert in Greece, BUT it was all his older music rewritten and re-played for the BIG orchestra presentation. For any one who has listened to his 8-9 preceeding CD's, you can tell the difference in the "presentation" of the songs. "If I Could Tell You" IS Yanni and as I listen to it over and over again I can just imagine what this music will sound like for his next (soon, I hope) concert tour. I was at Foxwoods in February of 1997, before he went to India/China with his Tribute Tour, and heard that "album" before it was official. And like this new CD - the songs were different but wonderful. I just hope critics of this new CD will not stop REAL Yanni fans from enjoying Yanni!! ENJOY!!!!!

I agree with Amazon.com's statements, how this is a "a less elaborate, more back-to-basics" recording, and that it's "largely unexceptional middle ground--less overtly romantic... nor as boldly expressive."

Don't misunderstand me - I love Yanni's music, and this album delights me more and more with every listen. And I do appreciate that he's backed away from the symphony-overdrive style of "Dare to Dream" and "Tribute" (though of course, I enjoyed these as well).

Yet I still miss his earlier, more fundamental work. The music on this album lacks the energy, the drive, even the all-out youthful "fun" of his earlier pieces. What happened to the playful stylings of "Sand Dance" and "Walkabout?" The drive of "Standing in Motion" and "Marching Season?" That fresh, raw energy is here, too, though in very limited quantity.

This is deep, emotional music enjoyable by both the long-time Yanni fan and the first-time listener. I'm happy to hear Yanni continue to explore different themes and styles in his music, and wish him (and his Muse) continued success in doing so. Though it leaves me longing for the "good ol' days" of his earlier releases (hence the 4-star rating), I love this album's music and eagerly await Yanni's next tour (and album!).

quite a big surprise... i was expecting something not of this world after the Tribute album, but then again how can you match something like Tribute?? the songs are simple not as sophisticated or complicated as Tribute or Live at the Acropolis, but it does express what direction his life has led him. "If I Could Tell You" is similar to some of his previous "studio" released albums. I guess in a way it is a good thing because he seems to recompose the music when ever he plays them live...(ex. Live at the Acropolis). all the tracks are great after you listen to them a couple of time because its not what you expected after 3 years of new music. i dont have a personal faviorite...i like them all. I am not going to tell you what songs are the best.. you have to listen to it for yourself. overall i would initialy give this album a "c" compared to Tribute ...but after listening to it for a while i give it an "A". it doesnt matter what i give it, all that matters is that he felt as if this is what he wanted his new album to sound like and this is the way his music is going to sound for this new album. if i could tell you why this album will be a shock to you, like it was for me, it is probably because we are still dwelling in the past while he has moved on to new experiences and new ideas....and he does express them in this new album... p.s. sorry about the gramatical errors....dont have the time to go and fix everything...)

It is true that this album may be less romantic than some of his other releases, but nevertheless, it's inspiring. I find this release to be very soothing, relaxing, yet inspirational.

I noticed that he has integrated some of his older musical themes into this album but not as individual songs, but rather adjuncts to his new songs. That is to say, some of the old music themes are intertwined into the new songs.

Great album. I highly recommend it.

First of all, I am a new age musician myself, and I always here the flack about all the corny new age music that is out there, and I always here that Yanni is just as corny, and I will tell you that is complete bull.

If I Could Tell You presents a nice sound for the celebration of being alive, and you can feel that kind of theme throughout the disc.

I agree from the above review that it isn't as overtly romantic, not that overtly romantic is bad though, but is very rhythmic in nature.

I however, did predict to myself that Yanni would go to a more modest scale of sound on a next project. I did not understand why there was so much surprise from the Amazon review that it wasn't like the grand scale of sound that Tribute was. I myself saw this coming.

My personal favorites are all of them! If I could sum this disc up with just single words it would be passionate,rhythmic,melodic,and just plain beautiful, the only way Yanni knows how to be.

Great going Yanni.

I have all of Yanni's works and listen to them all the time. Everyone different from the other. Each containing wonderful input from everyone that is working with him on each piece.

I read about why and how this CD came to be, then listened to it. I was speechless. No words could describe the feeling this cd left me with. I felt every note he played and out of all his works never have I truly felt Yanni. Every time I listen to it I get an even deeper closeness to him. To truly feel Yanni and Yanni only. He has truly given of him self in each piece. This is the most wonderful gift any composer can give to their listeners then a true piece of who they are.

Yanni doesn't have to speak a single syllable, each note played tells us everything.

This CD is well worth the wait!!!! True, the tracks are not heavily orchestrated as he's returning to his original "keyboard only" sound but, what superb arrangements! As one reviewer mentioned earlier, it's just another thing to look forward to in his live concerts as we are beautifully surprised by the rearrangements of his music during live performances. My favorite track is "With an Orchid" and "Highland" is pretty high on the list as well. Wait.....all of them are outstanding!! Hurry and get your copy.

Yanni shares with us from the depths of his heart and soul; his travels, his experiences and his thoughts. The spiritual and emotional impact of "If I Could Tell You" is unlike anything Yanni has done in the past. Without a doubt, this CD touches all of the five senses. Close your eyes and you are spirited away to the counties he has traveled. Through his music you will smell the sweetness of the orient, see the blue/green waters of the Mediterranean, hear the pounding of your heart to the native drums, and taste the bittersweetness of success. In its entirety, this CD will touch you.

There aren't enough stars in the heavens to rate this CD.