Chris Botti To Love Again: The Duets CD

This is a DualDisc, which contains a CD on one side of the disc and a DVD on the other.

As its title implies, TO LOVE AGAIN is essentially a sequel to trumpeter Chris Botti's well received 2004 outing, WHEN I FALL IN LOVE. In fact, two guest vocalists from the earlier album, Sting and Paula Cole, appear again, with Sting lending his distinctive voice to the lilting "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" and Cole accompanying Botti on the gentle "My One and Only Love." Among the many other guest performers, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler appears on the lush, string-laden "Smile," an odd yet remarkably suitable departure for the raspy-voiced frontman. Despite the added star power, the record is still Botti's show, as he reminds listeners with his smooth, atmospheric Chet Baker-inspired horn lines, particularly on the gently floating "Embraceable You" and the romantic title track.

This dualdisc features the entire album with the London Session orchestra on the CD side, and on the DVD side, the entire album in Enhanced LPCM Stereo, special guest David Sanborn, 5 brand new live performances of Botti and his quartet filmed on location at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, performance with Sanborn, backstage interviews, and behind-the-scenes making of footage. Guest artists include Sting, Paula Cole, Michael Buble, Jill Scott, Paul Buchanan, Gladys Knight, Renee Olstead, Rosa Passos, and Steven Tyler.

Personnel: Chris Botti (trumpet); Heitor Teixeira Pereira (guitar); Billy Childs (piano); Richard Cottle (Hammond b-3 organ); Christian McBride (bass instrument); Arnie Somogyi (bass guitar); Billy Kilson, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Brian Bromberg.

Ensemble: London Session Orchestra.Down Beat (p.70) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[W]ith a varied procession of guest vocalists wrapped in Botti's own GQ elegance and transparent trumpet interludes. They hover like smoke rings in languid and lonely whispers..."
JazzTimes (p.84) - "Botti balances the songs' tempos and moods with great care....A wonderfully moody work showing that the Great American Songbook is always open to new interpretations."