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Andrea Bocelli
The Best of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere
(Sugar Music/Decca)
First Appeared in The Music Box, November 2007, Volume 14, #11
Written by Matt Parish
Tue November 20, 2007, 06:55 AM CST
Reviewing a record by Andrea Bocelli is a lot like commenting on the ocean or
the stars. It doesn’t really make a difference what anyone thinks about it. As
with any other true force in nature, his work stands on its own universal merit,
and his revered and respected reputation must be looked upon with pure and
well-deserved awe.
In deciding to release Bocelli’s first "greatest hits" collection, Sugar
Music along with Decca Records had the unenviable task of choosing, from more
than a decade’s worth of extraordinary recordings, a selection of songs that
would properly represent one the greatest success stories in the history of
classical and popular music. This, of course, is not an easy task to accomplish.
Having sold more than 55 million albums worldwide, Bocelli consistently has
enchanted his legions of passionate fans, and every one of them undoubtedly has
his or her favorite performance, each of which is equally worthy of being
included on any retrospective package devoted to his output.
In conjunction with Vivere: Andrea Bocelli Live in Tuscany, his latest
PBS special that debuted in November and will be repeated frequently in the
coming months, The Best of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere contains a mixture of
material that is featured in the concert film as well as a few new selections
and many memorable moments that were selected specifically for inclusion on the
album. Consequently, tracks like Time to Say Goodbye (Con Te Partiro)
with Sarah Brightman and The Prayer, his Oscar-nominated duet with Celine
Dion, are situated alongside some of Bocelli’s most beloved performances such as
Romanza, Sogno, Mellodramma, Besame Mucho, and Il
Mare Calmo Della Sera. Other soaring highlights include his pairings with
Latin sensation Laura Pausini on Dare to Live (Vivere) and Giorgia on
Vivo Per Lei. Elsewhere, Kenny G adds a delicate accompaniment to A Te,
and acclaimed pianist Lang Lang lends his powerful and inspired playing to the
magnificent Io Ci Saro.
For those who have not yet had the opportunity to experience Bocelli’s
stunning vocal prowess, The Best of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere is a great way
to initiate oneself into his operatic world. He currently is touring in support
of this release, and anyone who is fortunate enough to attend any of these
unique performances immediately will understand why he has been embraced so
boisterously by international audiences for the past 15 years.
There is an extraordinary resonance in Bocelli’s voice that is as familial
and comforting as it is memorable. His millions of fans worldwide collectively
serve as a testament to his unprecedented, universal appeal. Yet his popularity
is matched only by his humility. He once stated, "I don’t think one really
decides to be a singer — other people decide that for you by their reactions."
Judging from the overwhelming, global response to his previous efforts,
Bocelli’s career as a "singer" will be in great shape for decades to come. 
The Best of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere is available from
Amazon.com. To order, Click Here!
For Canadian orders, please
Click Here!
For UK orders, please
Click Here!
Ratings
1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!
Copyright © 2007 The Music Box
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