Search - Carmen Cavallaro :: Alone Together: The Art of the Cocktail Piano

Waltzing Cavallaro

Krzysztof POLAKOWSKI | ROCHESTER, New York United States | 11/04/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album consists of mostly pre-war recordings, which sometimes affects sound quality. Selection includes also several recordings
from 1950-60 period, after Cavallaro disbanded his orchestra and decided again to perform as a soloist. For numerous enthusiasts of his decorative pianistics this album is hopefully the first among many to come.
Particularly the period 1950-1970 brought about many albums worth
attention: "Waltzing in the Dark", "The best of Carmen Cavallaro', "Carmen Cavallaro Remembers Eddy Duchin", "Poetry in Ivory" and many others, which deserve to be re-released on discs.
Reviewed CD will make happy all Cavallaro's fans and should become
shortly a collectible item. Nobody played like him and there is nobody who could replace his popular piano virtuosity."

He is the best I ever heard at cocktail piano

Robert D. Glover Jr. | Linden, NJ USA | 12/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I study bepop style piano with a specialist in that area. He tells me all I ever need hear is Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Art Tatum, Lester Young, Thelonius Monk, etc. Well, ever since I saw this Carman Cavallaro CD and grabbed it I've been listening to it over and over. It gets better the more I listen to it. Cavallaro is amazing. You cannot go wrong buying this Cd. Cavallaro is the Art Tatum of cocktail piano. Wow. I'm blown away. He has turned cocktail piano into an art form. Great CD."

The absolute greatest EVER!

Joseph C. Mankowski | Buffalo, NY | 06/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have studied piano for over 30 years. I have been all over the US and have heard many of the greats: Peter Nero, Roger Williams, Liberace and Oscar Peterson. There is no doubt, all the aforementioned are excellent players, however, I would have exchanged seeing them all for a chance to have heard Cavallaro! His technique was flawless and he changed keys three times in most of his songs. Nobody puts in the little grace notes like he does, cause most people can't! Sure, he was not a super presence in the jazz field or on stages for classical concerts. However he defines the world of cocktail piano. It was even admitted by Liberace that he got the musical part of his act from Carmen Cavallaro.



One thing I don't understand is why he really never got his due. It is really hard to find info about Carmen. I would love to read his autobiography, or talk to some of his family members.



Anyway, this album will put a shiver down your spine with the usual Cavallaro magic. Despite the fact that some of the tracks are a little quiet, the talent still overwhelms you. I have just about every one of his alubums in vinyl, and have found this to be a great addition to my CD collection. You will too!



Joe Mankowski

Depew, NY"