Concert Review: Chris Botti and Friends

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The friends included Sting, Yo-yo Ma, Steven Tyler, Katherine McPhee, John Mayer and Keith Lockhart leading the Boston Pops. All at Symphony Hall, arguably the best acoustical concert hall in the country, if not the world.

The show was taped for a "Live in Boston" DVD to come out early next year, and for a PBS special which will air during the March begging period. If you are a fan of Botti's, you MUST get this DVD. Botti opened with an amazing version of "Ave Maria", and later Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" (introduced as the love theme to Shrek the First). Sting did "Seven Days" and "Fragile". For the trivia-minded, Sting has been Botti's mentor, and for all intents and purposes started his career. John Mayer channeled Sinatra. Tyler did "Smile", which is also on one of Botti's albums. Also included were Sy Smith, a backup vocalist on American Idol and cousin to Mark Whitfield, Botti's guitarist, and the violinist for Josh Groban, whose name I can't recall but who was also fabulous. Nearly 2-1/2 hours of concert, no intermission, few miscues or pauses for taping purposes.

One significant pause, though, not included in the concert time. I am requesting a few prayers for an unknown patron from the front seats, who apparently suffered a heart attack during the concert. He was taken off by the Boston EMTs, with comments that he would be all right. I hope so.

It shook up all the performers. When they returned, Botti told a story of taping one of Sting's specials in Italy, on 9/11, literally a few hours after the attack on the World Trade Centers. They discussed whether or not to have the show at all. After deciding to go ahead, they opened with "Fragile", Botti with tears streaming down his face while performing. They did that here, with Sting, Yo-yo Ma, Sting's regular guitarist and Botti.