I'm fairly new to Chris Botti's music but am rapidly becoming a big fan. This CD is no exception. Every track on the CD has something to recommend it, but my particular favorites are "Venice" and the title track with a fabulous and haunting vocal accompaniment by Andrea Bocelli. Beyond those two cuts and two others (Ave Maria and Estate'), however, there's not much here in common with the Italian-themed title of the CD. I would also note that Paula Cole's vocals on track 4 (The Very Thought of You) sound rather muffled at the beginning of the song, but this is production issue that doesn't otherwise detract from the quality of piece.

The titular misnomer aside, I found the rather eclectic range of styles (and multiple covers) maybe a little distracting. Offerings go from the crooning of Dean Martin (I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face), to the more typical Botti smooth jazz (The Way You Look Tonight), to Andrea Bocelli (Italia), to the higher sound of the Ave Maria (which is a mixture of church oratorio and Botti's trumpet). In spite of this rather unique blending of styles, though, I am generally very pleased with this CD and would gladly recommend it for your listening pleasure.

This CD is amazing, so well done...love the title track with Andrea Bocelli even though I have no clue what he is singing about...after a day at work, I slip this CD into my car's CD player and my frustrations melt away...lovely, lovely music...

ItaliaWhen I Fall in Love
Both of these CD's offer beautiful instrumental music. Very classy sound. I enjoy listening to this talented jazz artist.

I don't think I could add much to the other reviews except to say this: I listen to this CD every day! For me, that's saying a lot!

This a exciting fusion of Itlain influence and jazz. Melodic, great to listen to any time of the day

I love this CD! After hearing it I bought 2 others. Italia is a blend of haunting and sultry songs. A great CD to fall in love to! Botti fans will not be disappointed.

Everything I expected. It's a great piece of work and well worth the two month wait to receive it!

I enjoy Chris Botti's music enough that I purchased this CD and When I fall in Love. Both are enjoyable and pleasing to the ear.

From the first note to the last, this is one of those CD's that stand out from the all rest. Absolutely, a top favorite of mine and I have several hundred. Andrea Bocelli adds to the magic as well as Paula Cole and Dean Martin. The Ave Maria is the most beautiful rendition I have ever heard; stop everything, sit down, close your eyes and listen.

i always enjoy this artist! his music is so smooth, and this cd is no exception!

Chris Botti is one of those musicians who brings peace to your life through his music. You won't find a more relaxing sound from a trumpet as you do from his. This album is a must have!

Every new CD of his I get is even better than the last. A real talent. Provides hours of relaxing music. Highly recommended

This is a wonderful album... love the contributing artists pieces. One feels that you are in Italy for a few wonderful moments. I would recommend this CD...actually have done so already! Great work Mr. Botti!

This is a fantastic cd which captures Chris Botti's fantastic talent. I am so glad that I purchased this.

My wife and I first discovered Chris on a Windham Hill recording of 'Bach' pieces by various artists in which he played an Andante from sonata #2 in Am, which was inredible! His touch and interpretation is from beyond! We have seen/heard him in concert and then on cd's backing greats like Aaron Neville...every time...in the pocket!

Great Cd. It came quickly and in time to surprise my wife for Christmas.

Being a fan of Chris Botti's already, I was not disappointed. And being of Italian heritage I was moved by the loveliness of the selections and of the original pieces by Chris Botti. The additions of Andrea Bocelli and Paula Cole were real plusses. I bought two more CD's as gifts, and a friend heard mine and bought one for a gift for a friend of his. There seems to be a little bit of Chet Baker in Chet Botti's horn, to me. This is a beautiful CD, worth having in one's collection. I rated this 5 FIVE star and can't get the rating to change from a two-bummer!

I am new to Chris Botti. However, his new CD Italia is impressive. It's moody, from the opening few notes that takes you to an ethereal, soft, and whimsical place, to an impressive overdubbing of his dynamic playing set to an old original Dean Martin swing tune (with Martin singing), this is a keeper. I will definitely look into other CDs in the Botti collection!

Fantastic! A must have for all his fans and even those who aren't. GREAT!

I enjoy Chris Bottis' new CD very much.. His style of trumpet playing is so relaxing & entertaining..

Musically, this is a superb work.

Conceptually, if you sit around and think about it too long, you'll go nuts. Why title the album "Italia" if you're going to include songs like "The Way You Look Tonight" or "It Never Entered My Mind," much less Paula Cole singing "The Very Thought of You" and (O.M.G.) Dean Martin singing "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face"(Come 'ome, 'enry 'iggins!).

(Mind you, based on her collaborations with Botti, if Paula Cole turns out a standards album, I'm gonna be the first on my continent to pre-order it.)

That said, I still give it 4 stars because so many of the other cuts are stellar... including "Nessun Dorma", "Estaté", and the two Ennio Morricone compositions, "Gabriel's Oboe"and "Deborah's Theme."

Thank God for iPod!

Chris Botti's music is so soothing. I would not have discovered him if it were not for feedback from other Amazon shoppers. He is a trumpet player that is not too bluesy. Whenever I press play on my CD player I instantly go into relaxation mode. Another great CD from this artist!

I had to have this haunting CD after hearing it at a friend's. I've given it to a bunch of people as a gift this holiday season: people w/ all kinds of musical tastes. They all report that they get hooked on it--just as I did. His work is beautiful--and this is his best yet.

What a performer! I'm a new fan of Botti, my husband a long time fan. Very smooth listening.
Great!

I bought this for a gift for my best friend and....tis the season .... for myself! It is a beautiful DVD. Chris is wonderful, and I love the Italian flavor! A must for your collection.

Chris Botti is very talented and produces wonderful mellow sounds!!
I start my day listening to him instead of all the news and politics!
Thank you Chris!!

I bought this for my mom for Christmas and she loves it! Listens to it all the time!

Nice combination of vocals and solos--really flows well and he does the best version of Ave Maria I've ever heard. The Dean Martin song was a nice surprise--very smooth. One of my favorite CDs.

This is a wonderful way to spend an evening. What a great cd. Try December too, it's wonderful for the holidays.

I'm a huge Chris Botti fan and this is an awesome CD. I love every single song on it. Also, the service from Amazon was very good. I received my order very quickly. Over all I'm very satisfied with the whole experience.

Blanca

Great vocal music and instrumental music. I have enjoyed this CD immensely. Highly recommend it.

I have several Chris Botti albums. This is an interesting mix with an italian theme. I enjoy it more each time I listen to it. I could listen to Botti all day long. He is the master of the horn.

Italia is pure sap. when i saw Botti last he did some great jazz numbers and he also drifted into this sap pap pop poop. i was very sad. he is such a great talent. for him to stoop to this pop level makes me want to cry for a wasted talent. i can see where this is going. next thing you know he will do an lp called Brazilia, then Spania, and on and on it will go. he will make millions. and that great talent wasted forever. i hope i am wrong. i hope he finally puts out a great jazz lp. he claims that miles is his mentor. miles would never stoop this low to play this crud anyone can play. elevator music for the hearing impaired. duets with bad singers. very disappointing. I just can't believe how low he has gone with this cd. i listen to something like December or A Thousand Kisses Deep and hear vast potential. with Italia i see a vast wasteland paved with greenbacks. pity. it reminds me of when chuck magione went in this similar direction, and where is he now? a footnote. you get these geniuses like chuck, or Herbie Hancock, and then they go off into la la land with their bank vault open. where are they now? in obscurity. then you look at someone who kept their integrity such as Oscar Peterson and you admire them even more for sticking with their gift and delivering continuing genius work one after the other late in life. I had so much hope with Botti. now he is just another Madison Avenue ad man. sigh. there is not one single song on this Italia that rates above pure sappy.

Do not buy this. Buy When I Fall in Love instead. Chris sounds flat. It's hard to describe, but this CD really is not his best. I love to see Chris perform live and go to every concert of his when in town. This one really missed the mark of excellence for me. I look forward to his next CD.

The music is lovely and stimulating. This is not background music but music to refect with as well to just listen to. I like this cd as much as When I fall In Love.