Andrea Bocelli

He proably has one of best voices in the world.

I was first introduced to this great singer sometimes around 1997 /1998. At that time I have befriended Mr Clement Lee, a then PhD student in the CS&E department in CUHK. I used to visit his office quite often when I was free or when I have some questions to ask. He had a collection of CDs on his desk and he allowed to pick some CDs to listen to when I was working in lab.

One day he gave me a CD and told me this CD was pretty awesome. That CD was Bocelli's album "Romanza". The main attraction of this CD is the song that gave Bocelli the international attention, a duet with Sarah Brightman called "Time to say goodbye". This song was an instant hit in Europe back then and a super star was born.

The media said his voice is like the voice from heaven that can cleanse every men's soul. I am not sure if a man's voice could have this power. For me, I think his voice is unique in a way that it is powerful, yet gentle; it is strong, yet its touches are soft; and it is larger than life, yet it can penatrate your heart.

So far I have collected only his pop albums.
"Romanza" is a classic because of the timeless song, "Time to say goodbye" and also its original version "Con Te Partiro". The duet "Vivo Per Lei" is nice too.

"Sogno" is probably the least favourite of all his four pop albums that I have collected. Well the album contains a duet between Bocelli and Celine Dion, "The Prayer". But I just don't like it very much.

"Cieli Di Toscana" is my favourite so far. In "Someone like you", Bocelli performed the song completely in English. The Italian version of this song is not available in the Asian version of the album. But I managed to get it ... illegally. :P
"If it's the only thing I ever do
Then I know it's true that I should love someone like you
Someone who believes in me
make my voice to sing with a heart so free
As sure as I can be
For me if one dream can come true
Then I will love someone like you"

The latest album "Amore" feature collaboration with different artists, from Kenny G, Stevie Wonder to Christina Aguilera. The real jem of the album is the last song, "Because we believe". Bocelli has performed this song in the closing ceremony of the 2006 Torino Winter Olympic Game. The lyrics of the song contain both English and Italian. Currently I am still looking for the translation of the Italian lyrics.
"Once in every life
There comes a time
We walk out all alone
And into the light
The moment won't last but then,
We remember it again
When we close our eyes

Like stars across the sky
E per avvincere
Tu dovrai vincere
We were born to shine
All of us here because we believe"