When I Fall in Love - Botti, Chris (CD 2004)

Chris Botti may not be the best living trumpet player (although he is excellent), but there is no doubt that he is the best living trumpet player of romantic ballads. Botti has played with a number of crossover musicians such as Sting and Aretha Franklin. He didn't record his first album until 1995's "First Wish" but his beautiful tone has only improved with time.

Although the liner notes don't give a lot of information, Botti's comment sets the scene for this incredibly beautiful album:

"When Don Ienner, president of Sony Music US, makes a suggestion that is also a personal dream, I know that I'm truly blessed. We agreed a recording of romantic music allowing an escape from life's everyday anxieties would be a timely remedy for listeners and truly extraordinary at this point in time."

Did Botti and Ienner achieve this escapist goal? Absolutely! This is the type of album to listen to with the lights turned down low, the fireplace providing a warm glow and your significant other huddled against you while you sip your favorite wine.

Botti has enlisted some excellent musicians on this CD including:

Piano: Federico Pena, Greg Phillinganes, Billy Childs

Bass: Jon Ossman, Brian Bromberg, Alec Dankworth

Drums: Billy Kilson, Vinnie Colaiuta, Ralph Salmins

Guitar: Shane Fontayne, Dean Parks

Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa

Vocalists Paula Cole and Sting also contribute to the album as does the London Session Orchestra on several cuts. Let's take a look at some of the cuts:

1. WHEN I FALL IN LOVE--Heyman/Young 4:23

The title cut starts off with a luscious string section and then Botti brings his gorgeous sound to the forefront. His playing almost sounds as though he is "singing" through his horn. The tone is full-bodied and full of a sensual understanding of the song. The arrangement by Gil Goldstein is perfect with the brooding orchestra playing behind him.

2. WHAT'LL I DO?--Irving Berlin 5:10

Bromberg's big bass sound intros the song and once again Chris sails smoothly into the old standard by Berlin who is one of our greatest composers. The string section behind Botti manages to enhance the romantic feeling of the song without intruding or overwhelming Botti's trumpet. Two minutes deep into the tune, Paula Cole's beautiful alto slowly interprets the lyrics with Botti's horn and voice backing her at different times. The latter part of the song has a surrealistic feel to it as Botti and Cole weave in and out of the melody.

3. NO ORDINARY LOVE--Mathewman/Adu 6:05

With Helen Adu as one of the composers, the sound of this romantic interlude has both the rhythmic feel and tempo to it. Botti plays with a mute here and Jill Zadeh provides some smooth vocals both in the background and up front. Bromberg's bass is also prominent in the Billy Childs' arrangement. Oh, man, is this nice, soft and sensual!

4. MY ROMANCE--Rodgers/Hart 3:21

Lush strings open the song and Botti alone plays throughout the rest of the song. Muted again, Chris reminds me of some of the beautiful ballad work of Miles Davis in the 50's. Jeremy Lubbock arranged this beauty and it brings chills to my skin.

5. LET'S FALL IN LOVE--Ted Koehler 3:40

Childs arranges this golden oldie with Bromberg again featured along with the London Orchestra. This time the orchestra includes a swinging sax and horn section and Botti plays the song in a faster tempo. He stretches his chops out here and shows he can play at any speed with equal aplomb.

6. CINEMA PARADISO--Morricone 4:58

This one is so gorgeous that it brought tears to my eyes. Botti's muted horn introduces the melody and then the full orchestra joins in. The orchestra backs out and Botti and Bromberg perform a tremendously romantic duet which Child's turns into a trio with his piano. Kilson's brush-drumming completes the picture before the orchestra steps back in. The song has a classical feel to it with its wonderful arrangement by Goldstein.

7. SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME--Gershwins 4:36

Botti's full sound is back with some fine guitar work by Mitch Dalton. Once again, the tempo is slow and arranged to perfection by Jeremy Lubbock to convey the romantic nature of the song. Botti hits some high notes before moving back into the medium to lower registers. Beautiful.

8. LA BELLE DAME SANS REGRETS--Miller/Sting 5:32

Botti played with Sting for several years and they've also made albums together. This Latin-flavored romantic melody is perfect for Botti's muted horn and Sting's distinctive vocal style. Childs has a prolonged solo which rocks right into Sting singing in French.

The rest of the album is equally beautiful without a song that is less-than-beautiful. The remaining songs are:

9. NEARNESS OF YOU--Paul Johnson 3:12

10. HOW LOVE SHOULD BE--Lubbock 4:04

11. MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY--Comden/Green/Styne 4:09

12. ONE FOR MY BABY--Arlen/Mercer 4:54

13, TIME TO SAY GOODBYE--Sartori/Quarantotto 4:45

With an oboe, harp and string intro, this romantic ballad is very classical-oriented. It's a nice way to say goodbye. Botti definitely accomplished his goal of leading us away from the hectic pace of today's world. FIVE STARS.