If I Could Tell You

Yanni

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 3, 2000)
• Original Release Date: October 3, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B00004Y2XL
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (97 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,579 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Track Listings

1. On Sacred Ground

2. Flame Within

3. Midnight Hymn

4. November Sky

5. With an Orchid

6. Wishing Well

7. Walk in the Rain

8. Highland

9. If I Could Tell You

10. In Your Eyes

11. Reason for Rainbows

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Modest in both scale and sound, If I Could Tell You represents a less elaborate, more back-to-basics approach to music for an artist lately accustomed to staging Grand Statements (see Tribute). A straightforward, keyboard-based studio recording with minimal accompaniment, If I Could Tell You finds Yanni exploring a pleasant though largely unexceptional middle ground--less overtly romantic than his early '90s bestsellers In My Time and Dare to Dream, nor as boldly expressive as his rousing early releases. "On Sacred Ground" opens the disc with a choir of electronically treated voices chanting ethereally over gentle rhythms and Native American flute, followed by the flamenco-tinged minor drama of "The Flame Within." Yanni's most interesting ideas arrive at mid-disc, starting with the harmonic tribal chanting on the rhythmic "Wishing Well," followed by a pair of agreeable romantic and dramatic forays on piano and keyboards ("A Walk in the Rain," "Highland"). Yet compared to Yanni at his expressive best, these selections and others that follow convey a surprising neutrality. Not that this music is objectionable. The stately romantic piano found on "In Your Eyes," for example, is graceful and appealing. Overall, though, the mood here is tame, reserved--and here's that word again--modest. After a three-year wait following the globe-girdling Tribute, this approach is a bit of a surprise. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yanni at his best!!, October 8, 2000

By	Ramanesh Keith Nair "aceedburn®" (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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..

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Yanni's best masterpieces ever, a lovely album indeed, November 2, 2000

By	Yianni (Medford,NY) - See all my reviews

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!

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still wonderful after all these years!, October 16, 2000

By	Mary Ellen Sholes (Roslindale, MA USA) - See all my reviews

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!!!!!