Search - Peter Cincotti :: East Of Angel Town

A Billy Joel type gunslinger who tickles the ivories and enc

Clay | Flower Mound, TX USA | 01/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I liked his first two albums, but absolutely love this one. I love the chorus of UBU and tempo of Make it out Alive is great (and does remind you of several Billy Joel classics). Be Careful is a treat and laugh to hear. I love the New Yorker gone west in Angel Town. The piano and lyrics of Goodbye Philadelphia, Cinderella Beautiful, and December Boys are just a thrill and do enchant the soul. The Country Life is a glimpse into the future while looking back.



I have listened to this as an import for a year and it is still my favorite and top playlist on my ipod. My only disappointment is that it took so long to come out here in the states. I can only hope that David Foster and the crew market the heck out of him and he takes the show to radio stations and talk shows for months. Starting with The View (1/30 is already set to record).



We need another 20 years of ablums like this !!!"

A fresh combination of classic sensibilities with a contempo

music4yourears | London-New York | 01/30/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

""East of Angel Town" represents Cincotti's first album of all new material following the two successful album releases for the Concord label Peter Cincotti and On the Moon.

Since his eponymous debut album topped the jazz charts in 2003, the talented pianist and singer Peter has been a breath of fresh air with his mixture of wide-ranging jazz standards and original compositions winning fans around the world.

After working on the soundtrack for the film "December Boys", he is back with a new record that adds synthesisers, electric guitars and the occasional orchestra to his band.

It combines classic sensibilities with a contemporary edge that's certain to appeal to anyone who gets their musical kicks from the likes of Harry Connick Jr, Jamie Cullum and, when he turns his attention to pop, the likes of Maroon 5.

Here, however, a likeable voice and percussive piano are betrayed by martini bar funk and studio sheen.

Cincotti's insidious take on romance provides some memorable lines: "Put your mind into neutral/ close your eyes/ just be Kama Sutral", for instance.

It might not be popular with the jazz purists or some of his more hardcore fans as it sees a definite change in direction from the jazz infused first two albums, to a sounder which is nearer to upbeat piano pop.

The voice of course is still unmistakable in being his and his alone.

While probably not for everybody, it's always good to see an artists willing to take risks and this album shgould appeal to fans of Billy Joel and Jamie Cullum.

All told, "East Of Angel Town" is an excellent album and should further enhance Cincotti's growing reputation as a major artist.

Already hotly tipped in his homeland, the 23 year-old native New Yorker musician has released in Europe the first single "Goodbye Philadelphia", a symbolic song of loss full of evocative lines.

The album opener "Angel Town" is steeped with tinkling piano melodies, soaring vocals (that embrace normal and falsetto styles) and a poppy sensibility that really does give rise to Maroon 5 comparisons.

It's a song that was penned about the seductive nature of Los Angeles that's delivered with gusto.

The singer switches coastlines for second track "Goodbye Philadephia", the first single, an epic slow-builder that benefits from a more classic style of delivery and some cinematic leanings.

Vocally, Cincotti soars in high falsetto style during the sweeping chorus, reflecting the themes of yearning and loss.

There's a slick combo of blues and jazz over the piano melodies of "Be Careful", while New York is the focal point for the tale of love and loneliness that's "Cinderella Beautiful" - another effort that boasts a cinematic feel courtesy of its imagery-laden lyrics.

Just occasionally the album feels repetitive, possibly because of the near-constant reliance on piano-based melodies, but each time you think you have the measure of what he has to offer, he delivers another showstopper that underlines his class.

These include the wonderfully poignant "December Boys", the rousing "Broken Children" and the shimmering "Witch's Brew' that slow-builds into something quite special.

Peter Cincotti is another jazz artist credited with broadening the appeal of the genre and this album is another collection of songs that boasts a wide crossover appeal.

It's a beguiling listen that consistently impresses...

My favourite tracks : "Angel Town", "Goodbye Philadelphia", "Witch's Brew", "Broken Children", and "December Boys".

Twentysomething

In the Mind of Jamie Cullum

Back in Town

Call Me Irresponsible

December Boys

Last First Kiss

Update. The album debuts at # 1 of Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz.

Issue date 2009-02-14"

East Of Angel Town

MartyGrantham | 02/20/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"East Of Angel Town is a disapointment. I have been a fan of Peter Cincottis light jazz style for quite some time, but the tracks on this album all sound as if he is trying to appeal to a "pop" fan, rather than a jazz one. I always enjoy listening to Cincotti anytime, and this album is not an exception, but the material selected here is bland and not my cup of tea.

"