The familiar cast of songwriter-collaborators (including Francesco Sartori, responsible for the smash success "Time to Say Goodbye") mixes with new blood; Bocelli himself unveils his songwriting talents on "Il Diavolo e l'Angelo." It's a highly produced affair, but behind all the gloss, Bocelli sings with a newfound, relaxed, even mellow quality. There are intimately touching moments--"L'Incontro," a tribute to his first son featuring Bocelli's own poetry as read by U2's Bono--as well as soaring flights of lyricism (the duet "L'Abitudine" with Italian singer Helena). And on "Mascagni," with its quotes from that composer's operas, Bocelli makes another nod to his classical affinities. But whatever the style, Bocelli is a singer who knows how to go straight to his listeners' hearts. --Sarah Chin

Album Description
Exclusive UK version of Bocelli's third pop release includes the exclusive bonus track 'Tornera La Neve' and CD-ROM. The album also features 'L'Incontro' a duet with Gerard Depardieu. David Foster co-composes some of the tracks on this album as well. 2001.

I own and have listened to this album. Andrea's voice and soul speak to me... his songs hit a cord. I'm not interested in his place in history, comparisons to Caruso or Pavarotti; merely that his voice and music make my life a little bit better. This is a quality album, with sentimental songs, sung with passion and heart. Andrea is a romantic singer.

I've seen him three times in concert (and will again next week in New Jersey), own all of his albums and thoroughly enjoy his work, personality and charm.

As for his reputation in Italy; if you know anything about Italians, you'll know that dispute is part of the culture. In fact, Italians do listen to him and you will hear his music throughout much of that country.

Andrea's music has comforted me, cheered me, made me reflect and made my life just a little bit better.

Isn't that what music is supposed to do?


Poignant and Visual Music   December 3, 2001
K. N. Nelson (California, USA)
57 out of 64 found this review helpful

I have read the reviews of 4 people who presume to be knowledegeable music critics and, as it happens, reside in the USA. One wonders how people can arrogantly criticize an artist's personal soul expression of his life experiences in his native land as those which are are represented in this album by Bocelli toward his beloved Tuscany.

As a musician myself, I have spent the past 20 years working with other artists from different areas of the USA and Europe. It has been a great honor and joy to hear them express their art often as a reflection of their home state, city or country. One learns quickly that music like painting is impressionistic at a soul level. Does this make an artist's personal experiential contribution less valid? Hardly.

Somehow, it seems to elude these self styled "critics" that Andrea Bocelli has a huge following for solid and very valid reasons. He does connect with counteless listeners at a deeply emotional and visceral place that some other opera greats, who may or may not be technically "superior", all too often do not. This does not discount the beauty of other artists' music, but it does say that Bocelli consistently creates a sonic environment where the listener can feel his emotion deeply. Moreover, it is impossible to miss the sweetness of his nature that is easily apparent when watching him sing such as on the video of this CD.

It is crystal clear how his environment's beauty affects this singer. Even though he cannot see he can hear the richness of the people and the experiences of daily life. His voice shimmers like a brilliant light upon the glittering sea. One aches with his emotional renditions that at times can make one find tears streaming just from its poignancy of expression. Very few artists are capable of this evocative expression. Bocelli is a rare artist and I adore him and his music.


A CD worth buying   January 20, 2003
20 out of 20 found this review helpful

I felt the need to review Andrea Bocelli's CD after I read the egotistical reviews of other individuals. Comments such as his terrible phrasing, lack of range, and others put me in a state of disgust. When Andrea Bocelli came to a local arena near me, I had the pleasure of hearing him sing, not only the concert, but was also able to meet him backstage. I have quite an opera fan, and I have yet to hear a tenor that can hit a low F an octave below middle C, then wail on the infamous tenor high C. In the last track, #14, he graces us with his phenomenal Bb numerous times, and holds the last Bb for over 12 seconds. But he is losing his range and has no phrasing? I do not believe that is true. His voice has a light quality which his not totally legit for standing next to Pavarotti, but not everyone can be Pavarotti, and I highly doubt everyone would want to listen to Pavarotti imitators. Bocelli has his own style, and no one will ever be able to capture his sound.

Every CD Andrea Bocelli has release in the US I own, and I guarantee you will enjoy his unique style.


Don't Wait, Buy this CD Right Now!   November 10, 2001
James E. Carroll (Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

The voice-- the melodies-- the emotions! Andrea Bocelli has done it again with this CD. You will love this recording. Prepare the pasta, open the chianti, light the candles and drift away to Tuscany with Bocelli as your guide. I can't tell you my favorite track yet, but it's getting maximum play in my CD player. Makes my kitchen seem like a little piece of Italy even on a weeknight.


Time to say goodbye to criticizing Andrea Bocelli   February 1, 2002
Russell Fanelli (Longmeadow, MA USA)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful

Andrea Bocelli seems to generate a love/hate response with many reviewers. Those who love him say he is a wonderful popular singer and they are not far wrong. "Con Te Partiro," "Vivo per Lei," "The Prayer," and "Miserere," are a few "hits" that have won him a large and appreciative audience. He seems to do especially well when partnered with the likes of Sarah Brightman, Marta Sanchez, and Celine Dion.

Those who dislike him compare him with the great Italian tenors like Enrico Caruso, yet no one compares with Caruso for beauty ahd clarity of tone and seeming ease at reaching the High C. Nor is Bocelli in the same league with the classic Italian tenors of the last half century like Franco Corelli, with his powerful voice, or Luciano Pavorotti, with his beautiful tone. Bocelli is not a singer in this tradition and should not be compared with any of these tenors. People who are searching for singers in the great tenor tradition would do well to buy the records of Jose Cura, Roberto Alagna, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras, and of course, Pavorotti, the new benchmark for tenors.

I own six of Bocelli's CDs and I have found something to like on all of them, Tuscan Skies being no exception. Bocelli is at his best in the lower and mid registers where he is not straining to reach the high notes. At his best his voice is warm and his tone is clear and beautiful.

Today Andrea Bocelli is an international celebrity and few people will be buying his CDs who have not seen him on television or heard him on the radio. It is time to say goodbye to criticizing Andrea Bocelli for what he is not and instead enjoy his music for what it is, a popular entertainment of surprisingly good quality.