Maybe I'm Just Drinking the "Witch's Brew", but this Album i
M. Roberts | Baltimore, MD | 04/08/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I waited almost 2 months before writing this review as I do with all albums because I'm afraid of being under the spell of listening to new music and rating it much too high simply because it's fresh.
That being said, Peter Cincotti's East of Angel Town might actually be the best album that I own. From the incredible piano in "Angel Town" to the uptempo "Make it out alive" to the harpsichord in "Witch's Brew", it's all wonderful.
The songs have a lot of variation from uptempo to slow, but are all brought to the next level by Peter Cincotti's fantastic piano playing and vocals. I'd say check out "Angel Town" or "Man on a Mission" if your really want to know what Peter Cincotti is all about, not to take anything away from everything else on the album.
I usually have something bad to say about albums, but I've got nothing for East of Angel Town, it really is that tremendous of an accomplishment.
This one's going to be on my MP3 player and in my CD player for years to come, I can't recommend this album enough, plain and simple: it's brilliant."
East of Nowhereville
Franc Martarella | 04/02/2009
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Just dreadful! It was bound to happen. Every once and a while a really talented musician and performer makes the mistake of thinking that he is also a great composer. Harry Connick even went so far to produce a Broadway show based his ghastly original score and lyrics. Peter Cincotti has not erred quite so badly but his new album East of Angel Town is awful, so much so that his stellar piano playing and singing can't redeem it. It's the sort of nondescript, Euro-trash fusion jazz/pop music you'd expect to hear on an off-night at Birdland. Every song sounds like the last and surprisingly there are few opportunities for Cincotti to display his virtuoso command of the keyboard. Skip this one entirely and hope that Cincotti returns to standards next time out."
A whole new Peter Cincotti goin' on
Thomas H. Kavelin | San Juan, Puerto Rico | 08/24/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a whole new Peter Cincotti goin' on, folks. Having listened to his previous albums many times, I was already a fan, but was unprepared for the new direction and growth he shows here...the songs are tremendously engaging and original, with some of the best melodies, lyrics and vocals I've heard anywhere... this is a much less laid back Cincotti; he's fearlessly emotional, vulnerable, with a new vocal playfulness and freedom I didn't suspect were in him. Congrats to all concerned."
How sad!
James F. Blose Jr. | 01/30/2010
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Peter Cincotti's first two albums are some of my all time favories and his concert video is fabulous, but now this? In a sincere effort to be fair, I forced myself to play it a second time, but couldn't stand it long enough to make it all the way through. I waited many months after hearing it before I could bring myself to write this review.
Why Peter? Why does someone with your obvious talent who brings such a fresh breath of youthful style and grace in jazz record an album that is so totally lacking in either? How sad. Please don't let the mess that this album is signal the end of a promising future. If this is an effort to "find yourself", this definitely isn't it. Look over your shoulder. You were already there fresh out of the box. As a sincere fan, I'm severely disappointed. You used to have it in spades. Back up, Peter and try again."