I was once the kind of child who would ridicule my mothers taste in music, with good reason...Bay City Rollers, Boomtown rats, and the dreaded Wings, but I have newfound respect for her after finding this cd lurking in amongst all the rubbish.

I had seen this man singing on the classic fm satellite channel a number of times, although most of the time I'd just listened without catching the name, but after glimpsing his face on the album cover I went 'OOOH' quite loudly and got excited. No, I don't have a huge crush on him (come on, he's got a BEARD) but I do love his voice.

A rich vibrant tenor, this man brings colour and character to every piece he performs. His style I would loosely call opera, although he doesn't sing only in Italian, and I have actually heard him perform some modern classics on TV as well.

Bocellis voice is one that must be experienced and felt, not just listened to. His voice brings depth and colour to a piece, and when he performs a piece of music you are certain that that's the way it should be performed. He is the Barry White of the classic fm generation.

This was Bocellis third album, and was released as his international debut. By that time he'd already gained popularity with audiences all over the world due to some spectacular duets with Celine Dion and Sarah Brightman, and soon his albums were flying of the shelves, and it rather deservedly went multi-platinum.

There are many who will say that he can in no way compare to the three tenors, and while his vocal skills are admittedly nowhere near theirs, he has a broader range of musical style's influencing him, with a much more contemporary feel to his music. This album is actually slightly more pop than classical opera, but is still wonderful. Please note all songs are sung in Italian, and the English lyrics I?ve included are translations to give some example of the meaning and emotion behind each track.

The album starts of f with Con Te Partiro (I'll go with you) a song that had appeared on his second album, titled Bocelli. It's a song about how empowered you feel when love is by your side, the things that become possible to you, and how everything seems so much brighter and more achievable when you're in love. HIs voice is divine on this track, and it's the perfect way to get the album started, with inspiring and uplifting music, and a large amount of energy behind it. Lyrics: When you are distant dream all horizon and wish?s, yes I know it that you're with me, you my moon you are here with me, my sun you are here with me, with me, with me, with me.

Vivere (To Live) combines the voice of a female artist, Gerardina Trovato with that of Bocelli, although in this case I feel that the blend fails somewhat. Her voice, rather than drawing attention to Bocellis vocal skills, seems to take over the song, and she seems overly loud and harsh for what would otherwise be a very inspiring sing about the fact that even though life i difficult at times, it can be beautiful if you cherish each moment and experience. Lyrics: I live copying yesterday and am always immersed in my troubles, but troubles are not real life, only a reflection of life in a mirror.

Per Amore (For Love) starts out at a gentle melodic pace, with a crescendo halfway through, as Andrea begs the woman he loves but can not have to think about what sacrifices she has ever made for love, in a plea for her to understand what she's missing and what she could experience. This is one of my favourite songs on the album, I think because of the gentler, more romantic pace and structure. Lyrics include: For love, have you ever run so hard you're out of breath after love, only to lose, and begin the chase again. How much of yourself have you given?

Il Mare Calmo Della Sera (The Calm Evening Sea) is a passionate song that starts out calm and gentle, but grows in passion, intensity and pa ce as the song moves on, going into the higher range of tenor vocals that turns me into mushy goo listening to it. It's a love song, saying that Andrea can only experience the calmness of the ocean if he is in the arms of his one true love. Lyrics include: I do not know what the truth is, the reason that my need for song is irresistible, so sweet as to change my love for you.

Caruso is a sweetly pretty piano piece, which has moments of unbearable sweetness and moments of powerful intensity, stirring up a multitude of emotions. It's a song about the similarities and differences between performing as a lover in music, and experiencing the joy of love for you in real life. Andrea lets out a haunting echo just before the second chorus, which for me is one of the most wonderful and beautiful moments of the piece. Lyrics include: Here where the sea sparkles, and the wind is strong, on the crumbling terrace before the gulf of Sorrento a man holds a girl, and the song begins again.

Macchine Da Guerra (War Machines) is a song I really can't get the feeling up for. One of the weak links of the album for me, it seems to be about how real life can shatter your illusions and destroy relationships. I just found that on this track the music and vocals didn't blend well, and that for a song with this title, it seemed a little too light-hearted and uplifting for me. The lyrics include :If you listen to your heart it beats, looks at where you ran and stopped, listen to the pain of the world; people lost on the road, orphans of life, schemes from war, but why?

In Le Tue Parole (Your Words) Bocelli sings to a woman who is scared to love again after having her heart broken, imploring her not to give up on love and close up her heart, but to open herself and her heart to the experiences and joys that life still has to offer, and he reminds her that second love is possible. This song has q sultry, sexy sound, perhaps caused by the low percussio nal tones and the low note sung by Bocelli. It ends with Bocelli softly whistling the tune, and includes the lyrics: When loves dies under the sun, where the wind rests, the magic does not leave you, and does not forget you.

Vivo Per Lei (I Live For Her) features a female singer called Giorgina, who I'm not overly familiar with. Her voice and Bocellis blend together wonderfully in this track, which at first appear to be a love song, but that, after a few songs I feel is about a love of music and singing. It?s a wonderful song, and it begins with these beautiful lyrics:
I live for her, you know, since
The first time I met her
I do not remember how, but
She entered within me and stayed there.
I live for her because she makes
My soul vibrates so strongly.
I live for her and it is not a burden.

Romanza (Romance) is the title track and is about missed chances of love. It is incredibly beautiful, and sadly romantic, with the lyrics: Already I feel it, already I feel the chance dying, however it is calm, then she looks at me as if seeking a kiss, an embrace, but the chance is lost. Perhaps my fault, perhaps hers, but alas, the moment is lost.

La Luna Che Non C?è (The Moon That is Not There) this is not one of my favourites, sounding a little too much like a love song from a Disney movie, with the lyrics 'Nostalgia surprises you, and I hope your memories of me do not disappoint.

Rapsodia (Rhapsody) is soft and slow. The words are gently spoken rather than sung for the first half. It?s very sexy and shows great meaning and depth of emotion. The lyrics: I would like to free you tomorrow and would like to see you fly over the snowfields, like before. You, so far away, even though you are so near. And the soul departs to eternity. Rhapsody.

Voglio Restare Così (I Want to Stay Like This), written by Bocelli, has only a few lyrics, which are repeated over and over to make the song full length. A ch eap trick, but it works, and is a love song about how he wants the partnership between hi8mself and his lover to stay the same forever.

E Chiove (And It Rains) is sung with the sounds of reminiscence and slight sadness. It?s about the dreariness of life and a heart that dreams of and desires so much more.

Miserere Live with John Miles, a singer who sounds similar to Neil Diamond, but despite that the track ticks along nicely. It's a song about a miserable sinner, and some churchgoers among you may be familiar with the lyrics, as Judas often sings it at eater time to represent the betrayal of Jesus. It includes the lyrics: If there is light dark enough to hide me, let it hide me. If there is a light, a hope, magnificent sun that
you shine inside of me, then perhaps all is not lost. Misery, misery, but I hope for forgiveness for my sins.

And lastly is the second version of the first track Con Te Partirò, but in this case the chorus was re written to include the lyrics ?Time To Say Goodbye? and this version is a duet with Sarah Brightman.

The CD is packed with duets featuring; Georgia, Geradina Travato, John Miles, and of course Sarah Brightman. Every song is different to the last, and all songs are sung with a huge amount of talent and passion.

If you're a fan of classical or opera music, or just want to spread your musical tastes, then I recommend you try this cd, which is available in all good music shops, and of course online. This cd will bring out the passion in you.

Thanks for reading. This is my first music review, so all comments and feedback gratefully appreciated. Please note all translations are rough ones, done via www.freetranslation.com, so may not be incredibly accurate.