Joshua Bell ~ At Home with Friends (A CD Review)

I was once again offered the opportunity by One2One Network to receive a CD to enjoy and review.  This time around it was Joshua Bell's newest release "At Home with Friends." 

I have always admired anyone that can play an instrument of any type with talent. As a kid I took viola and clarinet lessons in Junior High and High School respectively, but admit that I never played either one well. However, orchestra and band lessons did teach me musical appreciation so I can recognize talent when I hear it. And I hear it in spades on Joshua Bell’s recent release “At Home with Friends.”

As a music lover, I tend to enjoy an interesting rage of genres, but confess that it’s not often that I’ve taken the time to listen to classical violinists. Joshua Bell has opened up my ears and mind to a whole new world of music. On this CD he combines his talent on the violin with impressive vocal guests such as Sting, Josh Groban and Kristin Chenoweth as well as other instrumental wonders. Not only does the variety of talent encompass a great range of areas, but the song stylings also cover such broad genres from pop to jazz, ethnic world music and more. There’s truly something for everyone on this collection of tunes.

While this CD isn’t one that you could get down and party to, it is one that would be a wonderful soundtrack to a nice dinner and date night with that special someone. It’s also a great sound to help inspire and uplift one’s mood at any time. Each track on “At Home with Friends” is beautifully done, although I have a special place in my music loving heart for “My Funny Valentine”.

The violin makes such pleasing noise when played well and Joshua Bell’s hands work magic with the instrument. Bell and his friends have put together one fine collection of songs and while it may not be as peppy as some current artists, this is a sophisticated and wonderful batch of musical art. It’ll definitely be played quite often around my house.

For more information on Joshua Bell and his music, check out Joshua’s website: http://www.joshuabell.com
and his Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Joshua-Bell/62686889648?Ref=ts

Full track listing:

Loves You Porgy   featuring Chris Botti, trumpet
Come Again   featuring Sting, vocals  
Oblivion   featuring Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon  
Cinema Paradiso   featuring Josh Groban, vocals
Para Tí   featuring Tiempo Libre, various
My Funny Valentine   featuring Kristin Chenoweth, vocals
Maybe So   featuring Edgar Meyer Sam Bush and Mike Marshall, strings
Grieg: Sonata No. 3   featuring Sergei Rachmaninoff (Zenph re-performance)
Eleanor Rigby   featuring Frankie Moreno, piano & vocals
O, Cease Thy Maiden Fair   featuring Nathan Gunn, baritone
Il Postino   featuring Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon
Left Hand Song   featuring Regina Spektor, piano & vocals  
Chovendo Na Roseira   featuring Dave Grusin, piano
Look Away   featuring Edgar Meyer, bass and Chris Thile, mandolin
Variant Moods: Duet for Sitar & Violin   featuring Anoushka Shankar, sitar
I'll Take Manhattan   featuring Marvin Hamlisch, piano
Left Hand   featuring Regina Spektor, vocals