Chris Botti is not a newcomer to the world of music. He looks very
young, but do not let the picture on this DVD cover fool you. Botti
went on tour for a few years with Sting so you know he had
to have his act together, in fact Sting said in an interview that
he thinks Botti is the best modern trumpet player there is. That is
saying a mouthful when you consider some of the great talent that
is available in the realm of contemporary jazz.
Night Sessions is an album Botti recorded in 2001 and the Night Sessions:
Live in Concert DVD coincides with that recording.
Sting was in the audience the night of the taping and he steps on
stage to reunite with Chris on two songs (In the Wee Small Hours &
Moon over Bourbon Street). Shawn Colvin also makes an appearance on
two tracks (All Would Envy & The Facts About Jimmy).
Although Botti refers to his music as Pop, I think there is much more
to it than that. Guitarist Shane Fontaine cuts loose more than once
with some rocking licks that do not sound like jazz at all, then he
plays equal amounts of funky and smooth styles, dependent on which
direction Botti wants to go in a number. The sound is a pop-jazz-rock-fusion
mixture that is both sexy and inviting. Like a quote from Playboy
magazine says on the back cover of the DVD -He single-handedly created
a new musical genre. I would tend to agree with that assessment.
I believe after viewing this DVD and listening to Botti play that
he is without a doubt one of the very best trumpet players in the
world with nowhere to go but up. He is surely capable of going further
with his musical development. I think it will be interesting to see
if he stays on the same road or goes further away from the mainstream
and pop leanings and decides to delve into a fusion approach such
as Miles Davis did at one time. Time will tell. One thing is for sure,
he is in a position to choose which way he wants to take his career
and I am sure he will be successful whatever path he takes.
1. Program Start
2. Lisa
3. Streets Ahead
4. Miami Overnight
5. In The Wee Small Hours (w/Sting)
6. All Would Envy (w/Shawn Colvin)
7. Alone In The City
8. Regrooveable
9. Easter Parade
10. Why Not
11. The Facts About Jimmy (w/Shawn Colvin)
12. Steps of Positano
13. Moon Over Bourbon Street (w/Sting)
14. Blue Horizon
15. Credits
DVD Video Special Features:
Interviews with Chris, Sting and Shawn Colvin
Video Profile of Chris Botti
Photo Gallery
5.1 Recording (Audio Only) of Through An Open Window
Digitally Mastered
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
PCM Stereo
Interactive Menus
Biography
