Chart-topping jazz trumpeter Chris Botti and special guests performed two star-studded concerts at the historic Boston Symphony Hall with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops on September 18 and 19, 2008. Special guests include Josh Groban, Yo-Yo Me, John Mayer, Katharine McPhee, Lucia Micarelli, Sting and Steven Tyler.
Blu-ray Disc Tracklisting:
Ave Maria
When I Fall in Love
Caruso
Seven Days featuring Sting
Broken Vow featuring Josh Groban
Flamenco Sketches
Hallelujah
I’ve Got You Under My Skin featuring Katharine McPhee
Cinema Paradiso featuring Yo-Yo Ma
The Look of Love featuring Sy Smith
Emmanuel featuring Lucia Micarelli
Glad to Be Unhappy featuring John Mayer
Cryin’ featuring Steven Tyler
Smile featuring Steven Tyler
Indian Summer
Shape of My Heart featuring Sting & Josh Groban
If I Ever Lose My Faith in You featuring Sting
Time to Say Goodbye
Bonus Feature: “Behind the Scenes – Chris Botti in Boston” (40 min.)
Audio/ Video:
Running Time Approx. 160 minutes
Full 1080/24p High Definition Picture
Dolby TrueHD 7.1/5.1 Surround (96 kHz/24 bit)
Includes Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround (640 kbps)
PCM (uncompressed) Stereo (48 kHz/24 bit)
Buy “Chris Botti in Boston “ For Only $20.42
January 29, 2006
#1
I also watched this concert on PBS, and agree with other reviewers that the performances and production values are first rate. The problem is the incessant talking between performances. It breaks the continuity and ruins the show for me. The chatter should be at the end of the disc in the “special features” section. Just my opinion…
January 29, 2006
#2
The conert itself was very good. He’s extremely gifted, has an amazing backup group and the Boston Symphony is great. His guests were outstanding for the most part. There were a couple of performers that I never heard of but they were very good singers.
What did not impress me was the audio on the blu ray. My Denon did not pick up and type of DTS sound or surround sound so what I listened to in my home theatre room was stereo. If I’m dishing out bucks for blu ray, I expect some type of better digi sound than stereo. I want all of my speakers to roar. The sound clarity was very good though.
January 29, 2006
#3
What if you took stars from several generations (John Mayer to Steven Tyler) and musical genre (YoYo Ma to Sting)and had them perform mostly standards with an established jazz quintet (Botti and his very talented band of Billy Childs, Robert Hurst, Billy Kilson and guitarist Mark Whitfield) and the Boston Pops Orchestra. Here, you get demo quality video and audio recorded in a beautiful venue before a well-healed, courteous and appreciative audience.
I have never seen so much talent do so little to excite and inspire. For those of you old enough to remember, this is an Ed-Sullivan-Show-like revue without the comedian and the circus act. Nothing wrong here, especially if you know what your getting. But this musical landscape is painted by Turner not Van Gogh.
The disc is at its best with Botti and his band playing. They are outstanding individually and collectively. And there are several guest combos that work well including Botti with Yo Yo Ma, Botti and Whitfield with Katharine McPhee and, most especially, Botti with violinist Lucia Micarelli. Micarelli’s performance–and costume–infuse much needed passion to some, otherwise, staid performances. And interestingly, it is Tyler’s rendition of the Aerosmith anthem Cryin’ that (finally) brings the crowd off their seats.
I recommend that you try to rent or borrow this disc before you buy. Decide for yourself whether it is one that you will want for repeated playback. ****
January 29, 2006
#4
This is a great looking Blu-ray perhaps one of the best out currently as far as music/concerts are concerned. Whether you are a jazz fan or not, whether you like the trumpet or not, you will appreciate this blu-ray. Many a day I’ve come home thrown this in the Ps3, poured myself a glass of red wine and relaxed. This concert will have that effect on you, Botti’s music has the ability to transform your day from stressful misgivings and burdens to blissful peace. The concert itself looks great but the sound is where it’s will amaze. I also recommend Chris’s other blu-ray but I think this one is slightly better. Like his previous BR Sting shines and Botti’s friends and musical associates all add their own unique touch. There’s a few songs that don’t quite work on this BR, Josh Grobin’s duet with Sting seemed a bit forced, I think Grobin over sings quite a bit on this BR actually(I guess that’s his style) and Steven Tyler signing cryin’ was utterly ridiculously and completely out of character for this concert. I cringe even at the thought of that song. Even with those short comings however, this concert is still amazing and truly is a must own for blu-ray music/concert collectors.
January 29, 2006
#5
I’ve heard some of his music some time ago but was not a really a big fan untill I got this Blu-ray disc. The Quality of his music along with it being Blu-ray, and the audio quality really won me over. This is a really fun concert to watch as the song selection never gets boring. He brings out some realy top notch guests to play and have sing along with band. I mean really top notch, Yo Yo Ma’s performance (as usual) was really heart felt, and when Steven Tyler sang to his father, that was special. This whole concert is filled with special songs and feelings. The quality of the video, video mix, audio, audio mix is also special and with feeling. Just an all around over the top performance and it’s on Blu-ray!!!! Keep’um commin!!!!
I wish Amazon had a 3 Criteria rating that would make for a quicker and more accurate and fair rating of Cd’s, DVD’s and Blu-ray’s.
1. Performance
2. Quality of Audio
3. Quality of Video (for DVD’s and Blu-ray’s)
1.*****
2.*****
3.*****
Bands that wish to have there performances recorded and recognised should be held to a standard. Poor audio, no matter how good the performance, is still a bad product. Those who would still purchase sub-standard audio quality recordings and rank that product highly are not doing the industry or the band justice. Demand better and we will get it, settle for less and that’s what you’ll get.