Chris Botti in Boston
Chris Botti in Boston features trumpeter Chris Botti along with a bevy of name artists performing live with the Boston Pops Orchestra at Symphony Hall in 2008. Fully documented as a concert film and album, the night is an intimate and soulful birds-eye view of the supple-toned trumpeter who has grown into his role as a virtuoso since his time backing up Sting -- who of course appears here. Perhaps it isn't surprising then the concert is subtly reminiscent of Sting's own classic coming of age concert moment Bring on the Night. If Sting's 1986 show was an attempt to reintroduce himself to the world as a pop-cum-jazz artist, then Botti's 2008 show is clearly a showcase for the one-time smooth jazz wunderkind to fully represent himself as the eye of his own crossover storm. Having never fully embraced the synthetic vibe of the smooth jazz sound, Botti has spent his time since 2004's massively popular When I Fall in Love creating his own organic, acoustic and "straight-ahead" crossover jazz. In the context of contemporary smooth jazz, Botti's retro-gesture is actually kind of innovative. Clearly owing a heavy debt to legendary trumpeter Miles Davis, Botti not only surrounds himself with the elegant, live Boston Pops Orchestra, but has hired some of the most heavy-hitting rhythm section players on the scene with drummer Billy Kilson, bassist Robert Hurst, pianist Billy Childs, guitarist Mark Whitfield, and others. The result clearly pulls much inspiration from Davis' work with Gil Evans -- he even plays "Flamenco Sketches" -- but never seems to belabor the comparison. Similarly, Botti's choice of guest artists including vocalist Josh Groban, violinist Lucia Micarelli, and even rocker Steven Tyler always appears genuinely considered based on Botti's own musical taste. And although pairing the elegant cellist Yo-Yo Ma with Botti is somewhat of a no-brainer, their work together here, much like the entire concert itself, is never less than breathtaking. [A CD/DVD version was also released.] ~ Matt Collar, Rovi All Music Guide
Tracks:01. Ave Maria - (featuring Chris Botti/Billy Childs)
02. When I Fall In Love - (featuring Chris Botti/Mark Whitfield/Robert Hurst/Billy Childs/Billy Kilson)
03. Caruso
04. Seven Days - (featuring Chris Botti/Dominic Miller/Mark Whitfield/Robert Hurst/Russ Irwin/Sting/Billy Childs/Billy Kilson)
05. Broken Vow - (featuring Chris Botti/Josh Groban/Mark Stephens)
06. Flamenco Sketches - (featuring Chris Botti/Mark Whitfield/Robert Hurst/Billy Childs/Billy Kilson)
07. Hallelujah - (featuring Chris Botti/Mark Whitfield)
08. I've Got You Under My Skin - (featuring Chris Botti/Katharine McPhee/Mark Whitfield/Robert Hurst/Billy Childs/Billy Kilson)
09. Cinema Paradiso - (featuring Chris Botti/Robert Hurst/Yo-Yo Ma/Billy Childs)
10. The Look of Love - (featuring Sy Smith)
11. Emmanuel - (featuring Lucia Micarelli)
12. Glad To Be Unhappy - (featuring Chris Botti/John Mayer/Mark Whitfield/Robert Hurst/Billy Childs/Billy Kilson)
13. Cryin' - (featuring Steven Tyler)
14. Smile - (featuring Chris Botti/Mark Whitfield/Robert Hurst/Steven Tyler/Billy Childs/Billy Kilson)
15. Indian Summer
16. Shape of My Heart - (featuring Josh Groban/Sting)
17. If I Ever Lose My Faith In You - (featuring Chris Botti/Dominic Miller/Mark Whitfield/Robert Hurst/Russ Irwin/Sting/Billy Childs/Billy Kilson)
18. Time To Say Goodbye
19. Credits
Behind The Scenes: Chris Botti In Boston.
