Amor

Even as "the fourth tenor" has become one of the world's most popular and renowned classical and operatic singers, Andrea Bocelli has been teasing pop fans over the years by recording brilliant duets with the likes of Celine Dion and Sarah Brightman. Who better to helm the Tuscan-born vocal giant's first pure pop album than David Foster, who has made foreign-language singing all the rage by introducing the world to Josh Groban? Amor features songs from various musical eras, from the 1920s through the '80s, which Bocelli sings in his native Italian, Spanish, and French. He launches the collection with beautiful Spanish on the tender, soaring ballad "Amapola" and a graceful "Besame Mucho" before introducing his facility for French with the lush, film score-like "Les Feuilles Mortes" (Las Hojas Muertas), which becomes "Autumn Leaves." Foster then unleashes a successful Santana-styled duet approach on the singer, pairing him with Kenny G. ("Me Faltas"), a delightfully torchy Christina Aguilera (on "Somos Novios," which becomes "It's Impossible"), and Stevie Wonder (who adds vocals and harmonica to "Cancion Desafinada"). Purists may balk at such tandems, but pop fans will be enchanted, and Foster handles the productions of these tracks with admirable restraint. This magical effort fully realizes its aim to become a trendsetter for romantic pop in the 2000s. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide