A Collection of Great Standards

Michael Civisca | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Label: SONY/ BMG DIRECT
• ASIN: B002DVQCD8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,363,047 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Track Listing 1. Nevertheless 2. Where Are You 3. Under a Blanket of Blue 4. When Your Lover Has Gone 5. Too Young 6. Moonglow 7. Reminiscing 8. Not For Me 9. These Foolish Things 10. Take It Slow 11. Because of You 12. Smile Details Producer: Jerry Myers, Ken Kaufman Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (Recording Type: Studio Recording Mode: Stereo SPAR Code: n/a Album Notes Personnel: Michael Civisca, Mary Stahl (vocals); Mike Moser, Tony Genovese (guitar); Ron Davis (accordian); Bobby Militello (saxophone, clarinet); Jeff Jarvis (trumpet); Phil Simms, John Hasselback, Jr. (trombone); Bobby Jones; Ken Kaufman (piano, synthesizer); Jim Kerzdorfer (bass); Lou Marino (drums, percussion); Caroline Ferrini, Glen Tate, Willie Schoellkopf (background vocals). Recorded at TrackMaster Audio, Inc., Buffalo, New York. This debut release from Buffalo, NY native, Michael Civisca, isn't exactly innovative; however, it is heartwarming and romantic. It's a collection of American favorites, arranged for a jazz trio and voice, with synthesizer strings, a backup vocal quartet, trumpet, and saxophone contributing color and lushness to some of the tracks, including "Nevertheless" and "Moonglow." It's clear that Civisca has derived much of his singing style from Frank Sinatra. In fact, upon first listen, one might even confuse him with Old Blue Eyes, and while this doesn't bode well for the creative muse, it's quite a feat. The production, arrangements and performances are tight and slick, and the overall feel here is amiable, warm, and even enchanting.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Step 1) Saw him live. Step 2) Hooked., November 25, 1998

By 

Eric Mehserle ([e-mail]) (Rochester, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Collection of Great Standards (Audio CD)

Serendipity... Went out to dinner one evening with very close friends. Excellent restaurant, good wine, cuisine is excellent, and music? We're going to hear music? Some singer you say? Who is he? Why's he here?

Hmmm, the band is pretty good. This Civisca guy starts singing and..."Poof"!

We are instantly transformed into the most exclusive dinner theater imaginable. It was like something out of a movie. Civisca is terrific!

At the break I shook his hand and thanked him for such a treat. Then I purchased this CD. Our evening was magic. The CD is my most prized audio track. Thanks for a wonderful evening Michael.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Sinatra, September 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Collection of Great Standards (Audio CD)

Singing like a young Sinatra at the peak of his form, Michael Civisca brings class, style, ease, and an incredibly liquid clarity to a selection of little known standards. The arrangements are extremely tasteful. If Frank Sinatra were starting out today, he might have sounded like this. Civisca is terrific!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Collection of Great Standards, March 21, 2004

By 

Denise Terry (Lincoln, NE United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Collection of Great Standards (Audio CD)

Oh My God...this CD is so wonderful. I have played it for the last 3 hours. Buy it, you will love it.