Customer Reviews

Night Sessions

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Let's see: the cover art shouts "pretty," the music is supposedly "smooth jazz" (augh!), and the title--Night Sessions--is, well, bland.

But I'll be darned if this isn't a great CD. Botti may be pretty, but so is his playing, in the best sense of the word. And while the music may be smooth, it isn't (thank goodness) the blandly vapid stuff that usually passes for contemporary jazz. Although different in many ways, the music reminds me of Wayne Shorter's underrated and wonderful "High Life": intelligent, contemporary instrumental music that actually defies genres. Both effortless and far more complex than it initially seems, this is music that one can either relax to as background music or seriously consider right up front.

I have to agree with one of the other reviewers, who rightly points out that Dominic Miller is one brilliant player. His presence is clearly evident--and it doesn't hurt to have players like Christian McBride (who plays with Botti on Sting's latest live CD) and Vinni Colaiuta (another Sting alumni). A fine disc--I'm officially a fan.

I'm a Jazz trumpeter myself, and never heard anything similar to Botti's lyricism. (That's the first five stars: originality.)
Of course, listening to Chet Baker you hear the warmest and most dreamy sound one can possibly get out of a Bb horn. And Miles, late in his career, experimented with "pop" songs with lyrical melodies, but his sound was sometimes scratchy and most of the time out-of-tune (which doesn't mean that you couldn't appreciate it: that was trademark music!), and: it got pretty commercial.
The Night Sessions are "coolness" at its best, and stylistically somehow linked to both the trumpeters. Simple and straightforward phrasing, but very efficient and unique, is the biggest part of it. Then, to prevent it from getting to repetitive, Botti blends finger-knotting licks within the unruffled harmonic textures.
So far so good, really! (Let's give it two stars more... 7 ?!)
But then, listening closely, you perceive that there's little interaction between the different instruments, mainly because most of the effects were mixed in later, and because sure enough the Sessions were recorded with an ordinary studio approach: record most of the voices separately and mix them together after having them duly EQ-altered! (That's the only way I can explain his getting out-of-tune, on long notes especially! Usually flat - check track 11 "Through an open window".)
Subtract a star...
In addition to the negative aspects of the CD are some of the commercial "keyboard" harmonics, mere software pre-programmed PAD sounds or effects...
Subtract another one...

So I give this CD *****. I simply couldn't believe it was possible to mix typical Jazz trumpet-lyricism with "almost-pop" harmonic schemes and sounds in such a clean and totally convincing way.

I bought his first CD Slowing Down the World and instantly fell in love with him (actually his sound).
Now this cd, Night Sessions, makes me praise him even more. His soulful and tender music makes you forget the world and everyone in it. You lose yourself in the enchanting melodies of this extremely talented young man.
I compare him to people like Miles Davis, Herb Alpert and Rick Braun. Like Jim Brickman (who gives the piano so much personality), Chris makes the trumpet come alive. Chris Botti is in league with some great talent.
There is not a specific song that stands out more than the rest. Even the songs with vocals sound beautiful. The entire cd is great. It is worth every penny.
If you need to unwind; or have someone to snuggle up with; or just want to make your work time flow smoother-I highly recommend NIGHT SESSIONS by Chris Botti.
Enjoy!

I first listened to Chris Botti's "Night Sessions" in my friend's car after purchasing it at a local music store. As soon as the groove started on "Lisa" I was hooked. I haven't been able to stop listening to this album since!

Being a trumpet player myself, I can definitely appreciate the sound Botti produces. His mastery of warm and smooth note transitions is most evident on track 10 "Light the Stars" and track 12 "Easter Parade". And I'll be the first to tell you; sound like THAT you're either born with or work your whole life developing (the latter being my case). Whatever Botti's case may be, he sure makes my (and a lot of other trumpet players') knees wobble every time he articulates the reocurring rhythmic theme, or riff, of "Miami Overnight".

His control of melody and harmony, although simple, directly honor and quote the great Miles Davis and the west coast style. This is clear on track 1 "Lisa" and track 6 "Best Time" where he applies great "harmon" mute technique very similar to Davis' ballad styles on "Kinda Blue".

My favorite tracks on this CD are "When I See You", "All Would Envy", "Streets Ahead", and (you guessed it) "Miami Overnight". This record is a MUST for anyone who is serious about music and/or the tone and musicality on their instrument; whatever that instrument may be. And for the rest of you it can be, and I believe I'm quoting Botti directly on this one, "music to shag by".

Overall, Chris Botti brings smooth jazz to a new level; one where other "legit" jazz players (like myself) will not be embarrassed to admit that they own this "smooth" record.

Chris Botti has a way of playing that conveys an extraordinary feeling of sensuality. One way to describe it is SULTRY magic.

Having cut my teeth on Miles Davis's trumpet and literally wearing through my vinyl LP of "Kind of Blue" -- twice -- what I love about Miles I love about Chris Botti -- an earthiness that will transport you to another time and place. Though Chris plays the same instrument as Miles, I can tell you that Chris Botti on CD is better since you can't wear through the CD. You, dear listener, will be able to listen to this one hundreds of times.

The ease with which Chris sashays his muted trumpet over tunes like Lisa, Miami Overnight and Best Time -- the first, second and third tracks on this CD -- will be the same from the first to the thousandth time -- SASSY. And, dear listener, You Move Me, the eighth track on the CD will show you an especial, ethereal, creative side of Chris -- worth the wait. The entire CD will have you toe tapping to shake the floor.

Enjoy this one -- again and again. You, interested listener, can describe the rest of the tracks for yourself.

I've been a fan of Chris Botti for a few years now, having purchased his earlier albums & have seen him pre-Sting with the prog rock/avant jazz band, Upper Extremities. And with Sting during the "Brand New Day" tour, where this talented musician was exposed to a massive audience, which garnered him numerous glowing reviews.

Having grown up with my dads blasting of the recordings of bombastic Maynard Ferguson on trumpet, Chris' muted tone on this instrument is a welcome relief!! Not to say the man can't rock or blow his brains out....he certainly does have the chops. Though I would say that his recordings are much different than his live performances, the records do show that he is a talented, sensitive & inspirational musician. He has paid his dues through the years as an in demand session musician & has gathered an experienced & sensitive group of players on "Night Sessions". Most of whom he has worked with during his years of sessions and touring.

Chris Botti's beautiful music transcends ALL musical genres. I'm not going to totally dissect the "Night Sessions" CD track by track. To me his music is NOT jazz, pop, classical ...though he CAN play all of these genres!! And his loyal fans do know that the man can obviously play ALL types of music on that trumpet!! And from seeing his standing ovations on the Sting tour, he is ALSO a very adaptable musician....playing others music with great warmth & skill as well as making their music his "own"!! A term Sting likes to use a lot when he initially introduces a new song to his band..."make it your own"!! And Chris always does!

If I were asked to pick the stand-out cuts from this CD I would say: "Lisa" a slow sensuous haunting ode to an ex flame that really gets into your brain, "Streets Ahead" an upbeat track which is roads ahead of the usual schlock Smooth Jazz genre that Chris unfortunately gets lumped with. The Sting penned "All Would Envy" a May/December Bossa Nova tinged tale, expertly sung with a surprise jazz twist by Shawn Colvin. "You Move Me', a track with the added vocal stylings of an Italian singer named Camilla, which floats along with Chris' signature sensual groove. "Through an Open Window" which sounds astonishingly like an obscure Sting track "Everybody Laughed But You/January Stars", that could be because of the unmistakable guitar of Dominic Miller, who happens to be playing on both Sting & Chris' tracks. And lastly, the beautifully ethereal "Light The Stars" & "Easter Parade".

From the "freak out" avant garde progressive jazz/rock stylings of his stint with Upper Extremities, to his soundtrack work on "Caught", his smooth & soothing earlier work, his recording & touring work with Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell & Sting to his current CD, "Night Sessions", which to me is his most ambitious blend of all his works, Chris Botti IS one superlative musician.

I would highly recommend the "Night Sessions" CD if your are bored with the Smooth Jazz genre & want a little more warmth & emotion to your music. Chris Botti has turned me back on to listening to non vocal music again. Having grown up in a household where some sort of music was always playing, this CD reminds of a time when it wasn't that important to have a singer caterwauling all over an album & to my early introduction to jazz as a child.

Chris Botti himself described this CD as "music to shag by"...which I suppose one could use it for that purpose, it can also be listened to when you just want to reflect & relax or groove a bit & really absorb the music. Bravo Chris....you did it again!!

Chris Botti's previous albums have all been excellent, showing his able talents as songwriter, producer and instrumentalist of the highest order. "Night Sessions" is an absolutely superb continuation of his musical expressions, in a haunting, sensual and unforgettable CD that I have been playing over and over.

Botti's minor-key trumpet playing is enough to send chills up your spine, in an introspective thrill of smooth and soulfull emotion. Shawn Colvin's voice adds a most satisfying edge to the Brazilian flavored "All Would Envy," and there is not a bad tack on the CD. By far, one of my favorite albums of the year.

For quite a few years now I 've long been considered a 'card carrying' crumudgeon when it came to enjoying Smooth Jazz. While, for the most part, I find that style of music creatively ( and emotionally) unappealing there are, at times, artists who are able to break out from this over-crowded field and release a disc that can be considered musically interesting and emotionally fullfilling as well. Two that spring to mind are Rick Braun's " Heart and Soul " and Gato Barbieri's " Que Pasa ". Obviously, Chris Botti's " Night Sessions " fits that bill nicely as well! And while I'm not quite prepared to embrace this genre completely let me explain why this disc is so engaging.

I generally feel uncomfortable making comparisons, or catagorizing, musicians ( but being the 'intellectual coward' that I am! ) and since, for me, this is a new artist, I'm going to do just that anyway! Although just to give you some sense of Chris's style that is! Slipping nicely between Herb Albert, whose influence you can hear on " Through An Open Window " and Miles Davis, especially on the wonderfully understated " Easter Parade " and you may have some idea as to what to expect from this amazing trumpeter. His tone is generally softly muted yet combined with a wonderful ability to give each song a certain warmness plus an urgent yet gentle feel. An ability, I might add, that I found very agreeable! Perhaps what makes this disc so refreshing is simply that while Mr. Botti has one foot planted firmly in that 'smooth groove' genre ( many of the tracks here do unfortunately rely on what sounds like a drum machine ) he wisely has the inventiveness and musicianship/chops to play in a style that is much more free-form and unrestricted than that type of jazz will usually allow. Case in point would be " Light The Stars " without a doubt my favorite track and one that builds, not to a long drawn-out crescendo, but to a earnest and ultimately satisfyingly whisper-soft ending. The strengths that you hear from the music performed comes not from Chris's attempting to over-power the listener but instead from a quiet intensity and with an almost yearning nature. Admittedly, much of what is performed here is perfunctory, that being for the most part, a bass/keyboard driven rhythm section with Chris's trumpet 'riding' the melody. But damned if he doesn't make it work! And while other reviewer's have taken special notice of Sting's contribution to this disc, the cosmopolitan track " All Would Envy " a selection that is so exotic that I almost expect Sade to cover it on her next release, I must admit to the instrumentals being the real focal point of this amazing cd. Once listened all the way through it does have a certain atmospheric under-current about it....to say nothing of an almost hypnotic quality as well.

All in all I will state that I found it difficult to decide how many stars to give this amazing cd. While I only reserve 'five stars' for classics and the like this is possibly as good a disc as I have heard, and as close, without it quite reaching those lofty heights. I will award it 'four and one half stars' and urge you to pick up your very own copy. Yes, my 'musical snobbery' may continue when attempting to listen to Smooth Jazz ( and please don't mention Boney James ) but fortunately " Night Sessions " gives us the best of both worlds. Thank-You

Very seldom do I purchase a CD and love every single track on it. This is one of those unfortunately rare albums. I plunked down some cash without hearing a note of music after seeing it advertised on the Sting A&E special. It was some of the best money I've ever spent. This is the perfect soundtrack for a stressful commute -- I picture myself in some dark, smoky, jazz club soaking up the atmosphere and suddenly that jerk in the next car who cut me off doesn't seem to matter anymore. My favorite tracks are the soulful "Lisa", emotional "When I See You", and the upbeat "Through an Open Window." But really, there isn't a loser in the bunch. Buy this album!

Okay....I'll admit it. I did not know a thing about Chris Botti until I saw him on a late-night jazz show on a Dallas TV station. I like Sting, but never really noticed Botti.

Botti played the cut LISA on that set and I was stunned. What great feeling from a horn. Wow.

I got NIGHT SESSIONS ... and the darned thing is hardly ever out of my player. Only the new Jimmy Buffett CD rivals Botti's in playing time.

Then, last week, Botti was on Jay Leno and he did ALL WOULD ENVY with Shaun Colvin. That was a nice 5:01 break.

I still think LISA and MIAMI OVERNIGHT are my favorites, but I pretty much like all of them.

This CD is perfect background for a dinner party, a night with someone special or when you're checking email or writing reviews.

I'll be buying whatever Botti does next.

Enjoy!