Even as "the fourth tenor" has become one of the world's most popular and renowned
classical
and
operatic
singers,
Andrea Bocelli
has been teasing
pop
fans over the years by recording brilliant duets with the likes of
Celine Dion
Sarah Brightman
. Who better to helm the Tuscan-born vocal giant's first pure
album than
David Foster
, who has made foreign language singing all the rage by introducing the world to
Josh Groban
?
Amore
features songs from various musical eras, from the 1920s through the '80s, which
Bocelli
sings in his native Italian, Spanish, and French. He launches the collection with beautiful Spanish on the tender, soaring
ballad
"Amapola"
and a graceful
"Besame Mucho"
before introducing his facility for French with the lush,
film score
-like
"Les Feuilles Mortes,"
which becomes
"Autumn Leaves."
Foster
then unleashes a successful
Santana
-styled duet approach on the singer, pairing him with
Kenny G
(
"Mi Manchi"
), a delightfully torchy
Christina Aguilera
(on
"Somos Novios,"
which became
"It's Impossible"
) and
Stevie Wonder
(who adds vocals and harmonica to
"Canzoni Stonate"
). Purists may balk at such tandems, but
fans will be enchanted, and
handles the productions of these tracks with admirable restraint. Though he covers artists ranging from
Edith Piaf
to
Luis Miguel
Frank Sinatra
, the most engaging reworking is a sweet take on
"Can't Help Falling in Love,"
which was recorded live at Lake Las Vegas. In typical
's tug-the-heartstrings fashion, the disc closes with Italian and English versions of the
inspirational
"Because We Believe,"
but for the most part, this magical effort fully realizes its aim to become a trendsetter for romantic
in the 2000s. ~ Jonathan Widran