Track Listing

1. When I Fall In Love
2. What'll I Do?
3. No Ordinary Love
4. My Romance
5. Let's Fall In Love
6. Cinema Paradiso
7. Someone To Watch Over Me
8. La Belle Dame Sans Regrets
9. Nearness Of You
10. How Love Should Be
11. Make Someone Happy
12. One For My Baby And One More For The Road
13. Time To Say Goodbye (Con te Partiro)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #869 in Music
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 2004-09-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.com
This is not the typical example of an artist from another genre jumping on the crowded standards-and-ballads bandwagon. When I Fall in Love instead represents an instrumental stylist busting out of a box to find a much more suitable platform for his craft. These tracks are the fruits of an obvious labor of love for everyone from the featured musicians to the arrangers to the engineers. The arrangers, particularly Billy Childs and Gil Goldstein, give Botti's trumpet a broad-brushed orchestral backdrop that allows him to emerge from the swirling strings and bouncy horns with bold strokes of creative improvising. Some tracks are obvious nods to Gil Evans and the lush arrangements of 1970s CTI recordings. Even the guest vocalists, Sting and Paula Cole, let his trumpet sing first before their respective cues on "La Belle Dame Sans Regrets" and "What'll I Do." The only blemish here is the obvious attempt at smooth jazz airplay with Sade's "No Ordinary Love." --Mark Ruffin

Customer Reviews

Slow Burn
The best way to describe what I hear when I listen to Chris Botti is a slow burn. The whole cd simmers with soft but intense sensuality. This is my favorite kind of music: exceptional melodies, respected and true to their origin but uniquely interpreted by extraordinary combinations of understated but undeniable arrangements. The traditional orchestral sounds are sophisticated and fresh creating a tapestry of genuine, gentle jazz sounds (try "My Romance" to understand what I mean). These standards he chose to include are truly some of my most favorite melodies of all time and he gives each song so much controlled passion it's delectable. The combinations of bass and trumpet for "What'll I Do?" could not be more perfect. "Let's Fall in Love," is swinging and true to Big Band reverence but Chris's interpretation is strikingly original. Sting's "La Belle Dame Sans Regrets" is the single to release with it's lush, latin mood. The unaffected vocals of Paula Cole are a well chosen compliment to Botti's exceptional talent as is the keyboard genius of pianist Billy Childs.

Listen for Chris's spectacular jazz trumpet in guest appearances on other cd's (for example on Renee Olstead's new cd) as well.

If you thought "Thousand Kisses Deep" was one of the best cd's last year (I did too) wait until you hear this one! Chris was just getting warmed up. This is the cd that maximizes all of his talent. The entire production is fabulous. One of my favorite top 5 releases of '04.

Lush and romantic (i.e., make-out music)
This isn't the most fantastic jazz-trumpet-standards CD I've ever heard - that distinction belongs to something like Clifford Brown With Strings - but it's still a real solid effort from Chris Botti. His tones on these songs are as clear and pure as a mountain spring, and the song selection is well designed for those who want to get "in the mood for love." I like the fact that there's a mix of traditional standards and more modern romantic songs. Thus Sting's "No Ordinary Love" appears right after "What'll I Do?" and so on. I think Botti has been unfairly labeled as a "Smooth Jazz" artist (a now ultra-bland subgenre that no self-respecting musician wants to be a part of - although they'll gladly take the sales...). Certainly on this album his backing is more likely to satisfy classic jazz fans - no funky rhythm section and synthesized dance beats, just an orchestra, big band or acoustic ensemble. And his straight-out horn blowing on songs such "Let's Fall In Love" (cool jazz riffs) should earn him a measure of respect.

The boy has CHOPS!
I have enjoyed Chris' other recordings -- "Slowing Down THe World" is my personal favorite -- and his other work with other artists. With this cd I can't help but get the feeling that Botti wanted to exercise his "musical muscle". He can simply flat out play. He's got the chops.

I hope people will sit down and listen to it and not dismiss it as the usual "smooth jazz" shlock that has clogged the airwaves these days. WHEN I FALL IN LOVE is soo much more than that!
THere are no slick and cool beats accompanying CHris. (except for his verson of ORDINARY LOVE -- which is ok) THis is beautiful, and lush and as "straight ahead" jazz as you're going to hear these days. Smooth jazz stations may not know what to do with this cd.

All of these jazz standards get Chris full and beautiful tone ... his expression is flawless. The best tune on the cd is ONE FOR MY BABY. I can feel the vibe of the smokey bar, and the dirty bar glasses, and the familiar ring of "last call!" After hearing that one I was speechless. You just don't hear beauty like that anymore. CHris' version of TIME TO SAY GOODBYE reminds you that angels can play the trumpet.

If you're looking for a lush and romantic collection of jazz standards be sure to include this in your collection. Chris Botti will break your heart and then mend it with this cd.