Full of unabashed emotion and saturated with gorgeous melodies, this is a CD for romantics, a special musical Valentine from a singer who obviously takes immense joy in singing; one can feel the pleasure recording this album gave Bocelli...it is palpable. Though I initially didn't care for Bocelli's sound, the more I listen, the more I enjoy it.
The orchestra is lush and beautiful, with a fine assortment of excellent musicians, like Celso Valli on piano.
Heavenly tracks are: Lucio Dalla's "Caruso", which is a glorious composition, performed to perfection. The delicacy of "Le Tue Parole", sung with melt-your-heart tenderness is a winner, as is another lovely number with a spoken intro, "Rapsodia".
Though most people are familiar with "Time to Say Goodbye", with Sarah Brightman (the first track, "Con Te Partiro", is the solo version of this song), the other duets are also wonderful: "Vivo per Lei" is one of my favorite tracks, and the petite pop star with the big voice, Giorgia, is fabulous in it; another young Italian singing star, Gerardina Trovato sings in "Vivere", and English rock singer John Miles is marvelous in a live recording of "Miserere", with his deep gravelly voice making a good contrast to Bocelli's.
If you want to indulge in undiluted Italian heart and soul, this CD is a five course meal of anima e cuore...a delicacy to be relished !