At Home With Friends

This has already become one of our favorite CD,s. It is easy to listen to with a good variety of great artists along with Joshua Bell's gorgeous violin playing.

We play this CD over and over at our house. Beautifully composed, played and sung. We really enjoy the diversity in sounds and styles across the tracks.

"To me, home is a very special place....'At Home With Friends' is the culmination of all the musical 'friendships' I have made over the years, and I am delighted to bring all these wonderful musical personalities together on one album." ~ Joshua Bell ~

"At Home With Friends" is Joshua Bell's latest gift to his fans, and what a gift it is! I have always loved listening to his lovely-sounding Stradivarius especially late at night throughout "the wee small hours of the morning when the whole wide world is fast asleep" (to borrow a line from a famous song) and I am probably the only soul who is wide-awake.

A multi-Grammy-award-winner, Joshua Bell has been consistent in bringing beautiful music to his fans. Seeing him performed live at the Hollywood Bowl a few years ago was one of the best things that ever happened to my musical adventure. It cemented my deep appreciation for his exquisite violin artistry. All his recordings are remarkable and well-produced, but what made this album especially wonderful is the presence of his musical friends whom he invited to perform with him, to mention a few: Chris Botti, Sting, Josh Groban, Dave Grusin, Lee Musiker, Kristin Chenoweth, among many others. And not to mention an eclectic repertoire that includes classical, standards, soft rock, Spanish, Italian and Brazilian music.

One of the plus-factors to consider is Chris Botti playing on one of the best performances, a Gil Goldstein arrangement of a Gershwin tune, "I Loves You Porgy." Well, what can I say? He plays superbly and like no other because his technique is one-of-a-kind. It is so blissful listening to a charming musical conversation between two fine musicians with awesome help from Billy Childs on piano, Romero Lubambo on guitar, Scott Colley on bass, Shawn Pelton on drums, and a few other musicians playing flute, clarinet, cello and French horn.

What impressed me the most is a captivating reading of the Fab Four's "Eleonor Rigby" by Frankie Moreno, whom I had not heard of until this album. His voice is remarkable and his piano playing complemented Joshua Bell's exceptional technique in violin.

Another noteworthy track is "Manhattan" played in a relaxed and smooth rendition by the classical crossover artist accompanied only by pianist Marvin Hamlisch, who also wrote the top-notch arrangement. One of Antonio Carlos Jobim's Brazilian staples made it to the program and it is one of the best tunes, "Chovendo Na Roseira." It features another fine jazz pianist, Dave Grusin.

Josh Groban, whom I have also seen with Joshua Bell in a live concert, delivers a striking interpretation of "Cinema Paradiso" while Kristin Chenoweth treats "My Funny Valentine" in a dramatic fashion - just what Rodgers and Hart would have expected it to be sung. "Para Ti" is the most effervescent of all the tracks - bouncy, spirited and truly a delight.

Many thanks to Joshua Bell and his friends for a completely charming album. It's definitely a keeper!

Joshua Bell: To know him is to love him. And the friends that he chose for this CD clearly present their love of music and each other. This collection is rich, diverse, and passionate. It is a delight and truly a blessing to and from the soul.

This CD is just amazing. It brings me to tears with his simple beauty and love of the violin. I grew up with a grandpa that played viola in the Seattle Symphany who played the organ, and piano as well. Listening to Joshua Bell perform with his friends is a treat for the ears. Cinema Padadiso with Josh Groban singing is beyond words.
I love the sound of the violin and as I close my eyes I am put at peace. I will be buying other CDs by this wonderful musician and giving some as gifts as well!

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