Chris Botti - Night Sessions (2001)

He doesn't look too excited on that album cover, does he? This is smooth jazz and instrumental pop music much in the vein of Botti's previous album, Slowing Down the World. For the most part, these tracks are slow to medium tempo songs played in minor keys; laid-back with Botti using various mutes in his trumpet. My only real complaint is the production, which relies too much on programming and doesn't allow for enough interaction between the musicians (read: jazz music should be cut live). Botti assembled a great backing band that includes Dominic Miller, Christian McBride, and Vinnie Colaiuta, along with other L.A. session greats. According to the liner notes, the album was recorded "only after the sun had set," hence the title. Kinda cheesy, but I have to admit that it's right on the mark - this is perfect for late night listening (preferably alfresco or driving on a long stretch of highway on a hot, dry night).

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: My top tracks are Lisa, Streets Ahead, and Easter Parade. There's two vocal tracks included here - All Would Envy (written by Sting, sung by Shawn Colvin) and a mostly wordless vocal by Swedish singer Camilla on You Move Me. Normally I abhor vocal tracks on instrumental albums, but these two are tastefully done so they don't bother me, particularly the latter track. The worst track here is ironically titled Best Time.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I listened to Botti a lot around the turn of the century when I worked in a small, rural farming community (I'm confident I was the only person listening to smooth jazz within a 5 mile radius of my office), but not so much now. I also enjoy it and am pleasantly surprised when a Botti tune turns up on a shuffle, though.

Previously revisited for the blog:
When I Fall In Love (2004)
A Thousand Kisses Deep (2003)
December (2002)
Slowing Down the World (1999)

Chris Botti - December (2002)

Many Christmas albums are hit-or-miss, with usually less than half the tracks worth listening to. That's not the case here. This is one of the few Christmas albums I can listen to all the way through. Great playing of quality low-key, downbeat arrangements. Very contemplative and moody. Recommended for a quiet night by the fire.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #124

Tracks: Great Christmas classics, plus a great cover of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah (an interesting choice, but without the lyrics it seems to fit). There's one original, Perfect Day (written by Richard Marx and his wife) which is forgettable, but doesn't ruin the CD. Botti sings on that track and he doesn't have the greatest voice. He also sings on Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. He should stick to playing trumpet, but I guess he wants to be Chet Baker when he grows up. My fave tracks are Let It Snow, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Winter Wonderland, and I'll Be Home For Christmas. The "Miles-Davis-In-A-Silent-Way" take on The Little Drummer Boy seems slightly out of place, but I like it anyway.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: This may have been the only Christmas CD I listened to in 2002. I gave a copy to a friend and colleague and he loved it, too. In fact, he said he had almost bought the CD the week before I gave him a copy.

Previously revisited for the blog:
When I Fall In Love (2004)
A Thousand Kisses Deep (2003)
Slowing Down the World (1999)

Chris Botti - A Thousand Kisses Deep (2003)

NUMBERS WEEK (MARCH 14-20, 2011)

Another pop/smooth jazz release from trumpeter Chris Botti. Botti covers two Bacharach tunes on the disc and he's striving to get a Bacharachesque cool batchelor pad feel with this release. Nothing too upbeat, very smooth and romantic, lots of synths and drum loops. As with most Botti recordings, its formulaic, but the formula works for him so why not? I liked the formula for a while around the turn of the century, but I haven't purchased anything of Botti's in the last 6 or 7 years.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: My favorites are Indian Summer, Back Into My Heart, and the two tracks with guest vocals. The first is a version of Bacharach's The Look Of Love with a vocal from Chantal Kreviazuk (I like her voice and need to check out her material) the second is the laid-back Ever Since We Met with sexy breathy vocals by Bridget Benenate. I've never been a fan of the standard My Funny Valentine and the version included here does nothing to change my mind about that.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None.

Chris Botti - When I Fall In Love (2004)

Let me get this out of the way upfront: am I jealous of Chris Botti's talents, success, and good looks? Yes. Now, let's continue:

Botti has a certain sound that has been described as relaxing, peaceful, laid-back, romantic, etc. Sure, there are many trumpet players who play faster, higher, and louder than Botti, but the fact that he knows his limitations, is able to play within himself and still be successful speaks volumes about his musical and self-awareness. I've also always been a fan of standards, so when this CD was released I was hoping to hear Chris put his own signature on these classics - I wasn't disappointed. While I like Botti's CDs of original material, this is covers album may be his best release. Each arrangement is slightly different (5 different arrangers were used), but perfectly suited to the material. The listener is treated to covers of songs from different eras, different moods, different tempi, different accompaniments. I usually don't enjoy trumpet players that use a lot of Harmon mute (cause that was Miles' thing), but it just seems to fit here. Everything just seems to fit here. A solid effort on an obvious labor of love.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #37 (Dec 4, 2004)

Tracks: The title track is a chill take on a standard. I didn't know she was a torch singer, but Paula Cole's turn on What'll I Do is fantastic. The version here of La Belle Dame Sans Regret is far superior to Sting's original. Also outstanding are My Romance, Someone To Watch Over Me, and One For My Baby. Not as successful are Let's Fall In Love and Make Someone Happy .
Two songs are grossly out of place on this CD: the ubiquitous, pseudo-classical Time To Say Goodbye (Con Te Partirò) and one of the two bonus tracks, a lackluster arrangement of Fauré's Pavanne. Simply put, these two don't fit in the genre of the rest of the songs (Fauré was a good composer; his work doesn't really need rearranging) and someone at the record company should have stepped in and fixed the problem before the CD was released.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None. I simply need to listen to this CD more often.

Chris Botti - Slowing Down the World (1999)

I first heard of Chris Botti when he toured with Sting. Being a (recovering) trumpet player, I usually surprise people when I tell them that I normally don't listen to smooth jazz CDs that feature trumpet performances. Botti is the exception. I believe this is the first Botti CD I purchased. Botti seems to pattern himself after Chet Baker, another handsome trumpet player that liked to sing from time to time. Let's hope Botti doesn't go down the same heroin-lined road that consumed Baker. Overall, I find this CD to be very relaxing and it lends itself to both active and passive listening.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #17

Tracks: The first two tracks are solid. I could do without the occasional vocal track on a mostly instrumental album. Sting's take on the standard "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" drips with his pompousness and suffers from a cheesy string arrangement. Of the remaining tracks, my favorites are Under a Painted Sky and The Place Between Us. Botti has such a great tone I can't understand why he would ever use a mute.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I distinctly remember listening to this CD in my portable building classroom in El Maton, Texas in the fall of 2001. I was finishing up a graduate degree while working full time. This disc often played in the background as I completed my term paper/research project for a course titled Foundations of Educational Research (I got an A).