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.
Additional Tracks
Recording information: Air Lyndhurst Hall, London, England; Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA; Lamirada Studio, Las Vegas, NV; Pandora's Box, Hanover, MA; Studio 57, Brasilia, DF; The Studio, Philadelphia, PA; The Warehouse Studio, Vancouver, Canada.
Editor: Andy Snitzer.
Photographer: Fabrizio Ferri.
Arrangers: Heitor Teixeira Pereira; Greg Phillinganes; Jeremy Lubbock; Gil Goldstein; Billy Childs Trio.
Personnel: Chris Botti (trumpet); Chris Botti; Dean Parks, Anthony Wilson (guitar); Helen Tunstall (harp); Julian Leaper, Mark Berrow, David Woodcock, Paul Willey, Rolf Wilson, Steve Morris, Marcia Crayford, Roger Garland, Patrick Kiernan, Boguslaw Kostecki, Gaby Lester, Rita Manning, Johnathan Rees, Sonia Slany (violin); George Robertson, Ivo Jan van der Werff, Richard Cookson, Andy Parker, Nick Barr, Rachel Bolt, Peter Lale, Bruce White (viola); Philip Todd (flute, alto flute); Andy Findon (flute); Nick Rodwell, Anthony Pike (clarinet); David Theodore (oboe); Andy Macintosh, Nigel Hitchcock (alto saxophone); Jamie Talbot, Ben Castle (tenor saxophone); Dave Bishop (baritone saxophone); John Barclay, Guy Barker, Steve Sidwell, Derek Watkins (trumpet, flugelhorn); Richard Berry, Nigel Black, Martin Owen (French horn); Pete Beachill, J. Neil Sidwell (tenor trombone); Roger Argente, Adrian Hallowell (bass trombone); Billy Childs, Billy Childs Trio (piano); Greg Phillinganes (Fender Rhodes piano); Christian McBride (bass instrument); Billy Kilson, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Peter Erskine (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion).
Audio Mixer: Al Schmitt.
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."
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