My Romance: An Evening With Jim Brickman

Jim Brickman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 22, 2000)
• Original Release Date: August 22, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA Victor
• Copy Protected
• ASIN: B00004UEHP
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #131,119 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's not the Grammy Awards. It's not the platinum discs. The premier status symbol among New Age-classified musicians is landing the starring role in your own public-television special, and pianist Jim Brickman deservedly joins the short list of artists granted such pledge-attracting exposure. Brickman's two sides--as composer of intelligent, pop-impressionistic instrumental works and as stardusted romantic songwriter--are displayed equally on My Romance, recorded live in Salt Lake City in March, 2000. Brickman, an amiable host, is in vigorous form here, and his instrumental selections again reveal his uncommon talent for pulling heartstrings from an elevated plane, intertwining lovely melodies with a wistful harmonic flair in ways that satisfy listeners cerebrally and emotionally. David Benoit contributes to a splendid duet on "Glory," one of the disc's five new pieces. Even so, ardent fans who own all of Brickman's earlier works may view this disc as an attractive souvenir but not an indispensable recording. Donny Osmond and Olivia Newton-John (who cowrote a new ballad, "Change of Heart," with Brickman) appear as guest vocalists, and Brickman himself makes an agreeable vocal debut on "The Love I Found in You," one of two pieces featuring Dave Koz. Although "Circles," a new instrumental, is surprisingly mundane, the back-to-back rendering of "Freedom" and "Edgewater," two of his most expressive compositions, is the disc's highlight. --Terry Wood

From Jazziz

New Age sensations Yanni and John Tesh have long since integrated their spirited live shows into the PBS Pledge Drive format. It was only a matter of time before the equally popular pianist Jim Brickman made the same leap.

My Romance: An Evening With Jim Brickman (Windham Hill) is a live performance recording (also available on VHS and DVD). Unlike his New Age compatriots whose shows often resemble slickly produced circuses, however, Brickman's genius lies in simplicity and intimacy. The most popular tracks from his best-selling CDs are warm and instantly hummable solo-piano pieces. On his studio recordings as well as here, lilting yet emotional numbers like "Picture This" and "Edgewater" touch the heart with no extra production. And to further up the intimacy ante on My Romance, Brickman invites audience members to pretend he is entertaining them in their living rooms.

The whole affair turns into a casual party where popular musical friends drop by for a number or two. The first of these is fellow pianist David Benoit, who duets with Brickman on a song the two composed called "Glory." Benoit's jazzy energy inspires Brickman to go beyond the reaches of soft-hearted romance and into the realm of spirited smooth jazz. Elsewhere, violinist Tracy Silverman adds a haunting classical feel to the reflective "Lake Erie Rainfall," while Dave Koz's emotional alto powers "Partners in Crime" and "The Love I Found in You." For the hits, Brickman relies on the big guns. Olivia Newton-John sings beautifully on "Valentine" and "Change of Heart." Former teen idol Donny Osmond sounds convincing on "Love of My Life."

While My Romance doesn't include a cover of the classic "My Romance," the disc is nonetheless a beautiful primer on the wonders of romance as well as a marvelous showcase for one of instrumental music's most irresistible performers.

--Jonathan Widran, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something old... something new... Overall fantastic CD!, August 29, 2000

By 

Julianne "bicoastalite" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Romance: An Evening With Jim Brickman (Audio CD)

As the title of this CD indicates, the songs on it are *very* romantic and music goes straight to your heart. And what wonderful revisitation by some of my favorite Jim Brickman songs! His hits like "Valentine" and "Love Of My Life" were sung by Donny Osmand and Olivia Newton-John, respectively. These are my favorite Jim Brickman songs. And although, I think prefer these sung by Michael W. Smith and Martina McBride, they are still beautiful songs and Donny & Olivia do a great job! New songs like "Change Of Heart" (co-written by Jim & Olivia) are beautiful and I absolutely fell in love with "Love, I found In You". Not only because he wrote this song but because he sings it himself!!

Whether you are new to Jim Brickman or long time fan, this CD is a sure thing! It's wonderful, I've been waiting for this CD to be released and I have it on repeat. Jim Brickman's music is always so emotional and honest! As he says on the CD, his music is "intimate". It feels like his music is portal to his heart and soul. Whatever it is, I hope he keeps it up!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Evening with Jim Brickman and Friends, June 1, 2008

By 

Roni (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: My Romance: An Evening With Jim Brickman (Audio CD)

Referring to My Romance - An Evening With Jim Brickman in Concert

Jim Brickman is a very talented performer, song writer, and vocalist. This concert was a pleasure to watch and one to watch again, and again, and again.

I loved too the performances by Donny Osmond. To me, that was two great artists coming together to make sweet music.

Olivia Newton-John was also a guest artist on this concert and it is great to hear her voice again and as beautiful as ever.

I loved the behind the scenes. They were hilarious and fun to watch.

This is a definite 5 and more stars DVD and a must watch, must have DVD to add to your collection.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another crowd pleaser from Mr Brickman, August 24, 2000

By 

S. Fennell "pianistcritic" (Somewhere out there.....beneath the pale moon light...) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Romance: An Evening With Jim Brickman (Audio CD)

"My Romance" is a crowd-pleasing CD that will probably fly off the shelves, and deservedly so. It's so refreshing to see an artist who actually tries to create MELODY, and who doesn't rely on any studio trickery or gimmickry to make his tunes marketable. Sure, some of the tunes are simplistic, but a lot of the best songs are. (Hey, the guy can actually READ music, unlike a couple of other keyboard artists I could name.....) In addition to the now-classic songs, "Valentine", (with a wonderful Olivia Newton-John vocal) and "Love of My Life" (sung by Donny Osmond, also wonderful), there are 5 new tracks, most notably "The Love I Found in You", where Jim makes his vocal debut on CD. (Unless you count "Rainbow Connection" from his last CD, but that was a bonus track, included only on certain copies). Guest appearances by David Benoit and Dave Koz are also highlights of the disc. My only reason for docking it one star is due to the usual record company trick with "live" albums: leaving off major songs in favor of saving them for the video version. (For instance, "Angel Eyes"....) Still, this is worth the money, and a good addition to Jim's catalog. By the way, don't miss the song that Olivia and Jim composed together, "Change of Heart".