Romanza [Gold CD]

Now then, onto the album review. Con Te Partirò opens the album. Everyone knows the song. It was the one that made him all that in Europe, and it shows, because of its absolutely sweet melody. Many people have said that this and Time To Say Goodbye are the only songs on this album they listen to and not the whole CD. Not me. I like some others here as well. Vivere, taken from the now out of print Il Mare Calmo Della Sera album, is more slow rock, but I like it. Per Amore, in my opinion, is one of the best selections on the album. Now THAT song does my homeboy justice! And speaking of Il Mare Calmo Della Sera, the title track from the 1994 CD comes next. It's nice except for the second verse, where Andrea sounds a little screechy.

"Caruso," however, is one track I really don't care for, because there's too much in the way of piano that tries to hide Bocelli's voice. And he doesn't seem to shine through very much on that otherwise memorable selection, which has also been covered by none other than Luciano Pavarotti. But Macchine Da Guerra makes up for lost ground. What the lyrics (and the translations) say is absolutely on the nose, because nothing's going well nowadays in the real world. "Le Tue Parole" is one of two songs here that has a sort of Latin bent in it. Pretty cheeky. Vivo Per Lei was originally sung in half Italian half German on the 1995 Bocelli album. Here it is again, in all Italian this time. This selection is an absolute wonder. :)

Which brings us to "Romanza," the emotional Mauro Malavasi period piece. Another one of the best on this CD, Andrea gives it his all on this selection to such an extent that he actually moves you instead of just make you think twice before crying. So lovely. The next track, "La Luna Che Non C'è," is absolutely outstanding. Why it wasn't released as a single is beyond me, because it reminds me of hits by the likes of Céline Dion, Luther Vandross, Toni Braxton, and the like, only better than some of them and as "power ballads" really ought to sound like, and not like so many of them wherein instead of hitting the high notes the so-called "divas" just yell out their lines. (No offense to Céline or Whitney Houston, but, respectively, My Heart Will Go On and I Will Always Love You turn from hits to misses in my book.) "Rapsodia" is pretty damn good, too, but runs 20 seconds too long.

In case you didn't know, "Voglio Restare Così" was actually written by Andrea in dedication to his wife. The song sounds more techno than expected, but it's a nice piece. I just like it better as performed on the "Night in Tuscany" video/DVD. "E Chiove" sounds very adult contemporary, very Latin-like, just plain gorgeous. Miserere, which was written by Zucchero and Bono (of U2 fame), is here as performed with John Miles at Night at the Proms 1995. Another winner for Bocelli even though my mother doesn't think it's all that. Time To Say Goodbye, the previously mentioned reincarnation of Con Te Partirò, saves the day and has to be hands down the best song on the CD. I've lost favor for Sarah Brightman, but this song still remains a favorite in my house.

WHEW! 15 songs, a lot of writing for each of them, am I right? There are beautiful pictures of Andrea and liner notes in the booklet. The front cover is one of the best things about the CD. Even though I like the pictures from Sacred Arias much better, that front shot of Andrea in fiery red (which symbolizes true passion and the color of this CD) really holds me down. If you liked Canto Della Terra and the album Sogno as a whole you MUST listen to this album! I hope this review helped you.