Best Of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere CD

Best Of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere Only his fourth studio album, NOEL finds Josh Groban already tackling that canonical mainstay of the adult contemporary singer, the Christmas album. As always, NOEL is a masterfully performed set, balanced neatly between pop standards and the more operatic material that showcases Groban's roots. Interestingly, he sounds best on the most familiar holiday standards, like "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song," both of which he invests with casual, jazzy phrasing, providing a welcome disinclination for the usual Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby homages that many other young singers in the style fall into. Even this early into his career, Groban clearly has a deeply held sense of who he is as a singer and interpreter, and this lovely collection is proof that he's one of the most exciting adult contemporary stars to appear in ages. Bringing Josh Groban's majestic yet intimate voice to Christmas music is truly a gift this holiday season. The young Adult Contemporary star's fourth studio album brings together the traditional such as 'Silent Night' with the contemporary such as 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' and the new, 'Thankful'. Featuring duets with Country's Faith Hill and R&B's Brian McKnight, and inspirational music's master choir, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and produced by the illustrious David Foster the album's wide appeal promises that a timeless Christmas music classic will be beneath the tree this year. Recording information: Chartmaker Studios; EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England; Rak Studios; Westlake Audio. Directors: Bill Ives ; Kirk Franklin; Craig Jessop. Photographer: Frank Ockenfels. Unknown Contributor Role: London Symphony Orchestra. Arrangers: E. Taylor; Josh Groban; Kirk Franklin; William Ross ; Brad Dechter. Personnel: Josh Groban (piano); Dean Parks, Andy McKee (guitar); Lucia Micarelli (violin); Jochem van der Saag (programming); Richard Page (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Humberto Gatica.

Best Of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere Susan Boyle's grand unveiling on Britain's Got Talent was with a song from Les Miserables - the very song that lends this album its title -- and if she could become an international sensation based on a show tune standard, there's no reason for her to change her approach on her debut, since that's the sound that made her a star. Plus, a large part of Boyle's appeal is that she's a middle-aged woman recalling a bygone era when there were singers that appealed to an adult audience by offering soft, stately versions of pop hits and standards. That time was the late `60s and early `70s, and apart from a rather faithful version of Madonna's "You'll See," I Dreamed a Dream could very well have been released all those years ago, as it mixes up the show tunes, gospel, and Christmas carols with covers of Skeeter Davis' "The End of the World," the Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses," and a version of "Daydream Believer" that is easily the slowest on record. Boyle sings beautifully throughout, delivering more of the same of what she did in her moment in the sun on television. Those won over by Boyle, either her voice or story, will surely be satisfied. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine Recording information: Air Studios, London; Rokstone Studios, London; Sphere Studios. Arranger: Steve Mac. Personnel: John Parricelli (guitar); Steve Mac (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Dave Arch (piano); Chris Laws (drums); Mae McKenna (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Ren Swan.

Best Of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere Andrea Bocelli was nominated for the 1999 Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Joe Amoruso (melodica, piano, synthesizer, keyboards, programming); Guido Corti (French horn); Mauro Malavasi (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Maurizio Abeni (piano); Luca Bignardi (keyboards). Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli is one of those rare artists who is equally comfortable on both sides of the pop/classical fence. Discovered by Italian pop sensation Zucchero, Bocelli, whose blindness is no hindrance to his musical insight, has made an international splash in both the pop and opera worlds. He's worked with Luciano Pavarotti and Bryan Adams with equal ease, and his all-encompassing musical prowess can be easily heard on ROMANZA. The album weaves his strong, expressive, classically-trained voice through some elegant contemporary material. Many songs have a political bent that brings to mind the socially-conscious lyricism of artists like Milton Nascimento. Roll over, Luciano, and tell Michael Bolton the news. Featuring Con Te Partiro Engineers include: Luca Bignardi, Maurizio Maggi, Massimo Carpani, Marco Borsatti, Stefano Galante. Personnel includes: Andrea Bocelli (vocals, melodica); Robert Groslot, Jef Smits (conductor); Geradina Trovato, Marta Sanchez, John Miles, Sarah Brightman (vocals); Ruggero Robin, Massimo Varini, Paolo Gianolio, Paolo Giovenchi, Franco Ventura (guitar); Diego Jascalevich (charango); Engineers include: Luca Bignardi, Maurizio Maggi, Massimo Carpani. Personnel includes: Andrea Bocelli (vocals, melodica); Robert Groslot, Jef Smits (conductor); Giorgia, John Miles, Sarah Brightman (vocals); Ruggero Robin, Massimo Varini, Paolo Gianolio, Paolo Giovenchi, Franco Ventura (guitar); Joe Amoruso (melodica, piano, synthesizer, keyboards, drum programming); Guido Corti (french horn); Mauro Malavasi (piano, synthesizer, keyboards, drum programming); Maurizio Abeni (piano); Luca Bignardi (keyboards). Producers: Mauro Malavasi, Michele Torpedine, Peppe Vexxicchio, Celso Valli, Frank Peterson.

Best Of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli's cross-over success was firmly solidified long before the 2006 release of AMORE, and here, the singer casts an even wider net. Bocelli's voice is tailor-made for sensual romantic balladry, and naturally those songs abound. However, while past outings were marked by dramatic, though fairly straightforward orchestration and a crisp studio gloss, AMORE finds Bocelli utilizing a more diverse musical palette, including Spanish guitars, accordion, harmonica (courtesy of Stevie Wonder), saxophone (Kenny G), and--watch out--pop music's favorite nasty girl, Christina Aguilera. With superstar producer David Foster at the helm, the Tuscan-born singer selects a collection of pop standards from the ages and from around the world, including "Les Feuilles Mortes (Autumn Leaves)," "Somos Novios (It's Impossible)," and "Solamente Una Vez." And while Bocelli's voice may be best suited for classical music and light opera, he handles these songs with the passion, skill, and grace fans have come to expect from him. AMORE is a brilliant move for Bocelli: the songs are targeted to a wider group of listeners and yet they have something for his original fans as well--in a word, his voice. Recording information: Andrea Bocelli Studio, Tuscany, Italy; Chartmaker Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Record Plant, Hollywood, CA; Sony Studios, Culver City, CA; Westlake Audio, Hollywood, CA. Arrangers: Humberto Gatica; Maurizio Abeni; Tony Renis; Jorge Calandrelli. Personnel: Stevie Wonder (vocals, harmonica); Dean Parks, Michael Landau, Ramón Stagnaro (guitar, guitars); Michael Hart Thompson (guitar); Michael Thompson (guitars); David Foster (piano, keyboards); Nathan East (bass instrument); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Jochem van der Saag (programming); Dan Higgins (flute); Randy Waldman (piano, keyboards); Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Rafael Padilla (percussion). Audio Mixer: Humberto Gatica.

Best Of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere Andrea Bocelli's 2009 My Christmas album finds the Italian tenor performing various classic holiday-themed songs that touch on classical, opera, and pop. Included are such well-known holiday songs as "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," "O Tannenbaum," and "Silent Night." The versatile Bocelli also delves into such iconic Christmas hits as "Blue Christmas" and "The Christmas Song" (featuring a duet with Natalie Cole). Of course, the opera and classic songs are Bocelli's bread and butter, and here listeners get such lavishly produced cuts as "Adeste Fidelis," "Cantique del Noel," and "Caro Gesu Bambino." My Christmas is not only a warm and inviting holiday album, but also a superb classical crossover entry worthy of Bocelli's discography. ~ Matt Collar Recording information: Chartmaker Studios in Los Angeles; Abbey Road Studio in; Chartmaker Studios in Los Angeles; Abbey Road Studio in. Photographer: Giovanni De Sandre. Arrangers: William Ross ; David Foster. Personnel: Jochem van der Saag (programming). Audio Mixer: Jochem van der Saag.

Best Of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere The most popular crossover opera singer of the present day, Andrea Bocelli mesmerizes both classical and pop audiences without compromising his artistic integrity, although on this best-selling 2008 release the Tuscan tenor leans on chestnuts from the Sicilian and Neapolitan canon. Familiar folk songs like "Funiculi, Funicula" and the gorgeous "Santa Lucia" (made famous by Enrico Caruso and, later, Elvis) come to thrilling life here, although the standout may be a joyful rendition of Bruno Cherubini's "Mamma" that will have listeners reaching for the Kleenex. Personnel: Andrea Bocelli (tenor); Veronica Berti (vocals); Fausto Mesolella (classical guitar); Maurizio Sansone (keyboards); Paolo Costa (bass guitar); Gianluca Mirra, Lele Melotti (drums); Emidio Ausiello (percussion); Luigi Lombardi D'Aquino, Felice Pitolo, Choeur de la Radio-Television Suisse Italienne, Verdi Grand Symphonic Orchestra Milan, Steven Mercurio.