Dreary, damp & COLD outside (a few snow bursts between icy sleet downpours), but how lovely inside: sitting in a comfy chair all warm & cuddly in a soft flannel shirt, sipping hot tea, listening to ANDREA BOCELLI.

Wait, it gets better (!)  – Listening to Andrea Bocelli’s new CD ‘passione.’

sigh.

As Andrea croons his gorgeous tenor vocals in six languages, the words don’t seem to matter.  It’s all about beauty, love & PASSION – his passionate voice that truly warms the heart.

…And the music on this one is just TERRIFIC. yes, I am a groupie & have almost every CD compilation he’s ever made.  But, have to confess that on most a song or two usually get ‘skipped’ (or bypassed for the iTouch Bocelli playlist!) Ok, so Amore & Sacred Arias usually get full plays, but this one is beyond terrific:  Every song is Amazingly Awesomely Andrea Bocelli at his Most Inspirational (& Romantic) BEST-EST EVER!

more sighs.

It’s hard to even pick a favorite song – I like them ALL. There are several amazing diva duets (Jennifer Lopez, Nelly Furtado, Edith Piaf – excerpts of her voice in a lovely rendition of “La Vie En Rose.”) Maybe my top favorite (so far) is “In Nostro Incontro” with trumpeter Chris Botti (who is also awesomely amazing on “When I Fall In Love” and the Bonus Track – “Smile.” –yes, I am also a huge Chris Botti groupie. My brother & i saw him in an unforgettable concert awhile back..)

Then there’s  “Senza Fine” to lift your spirits – and SO MUCH MORE.  With 20 songs this CD is really loaded …(methinks it’s a ‘deluxe edition’ – so worth the extra pennies, ok, maybe a few dollars more, but wow – LOTS OF GREAT MUSIC!)

…so, while icy sleet downpours dreariness outside, my heart is roaming the Italian countryside with side trips to sunny Spain & Portugal.  As this music transports my spirits, my toes are also tapping to a few definitely danceable numbers.

PASSION!  “passione” … PASSION!!

Reality strikes – gotta dash & finish our ‘passionate dinner’ – 4 bean chili, cheese quesadillas, guacamole & Brazilian Orange Cake for dessert(!)

Grace, peace & PASSIONE

Virginia : )