Customer Reviews

East Of Angel Town

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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 !!!

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.

I'm usually the type that doesn't buy a whole album but just a few songs individually. Not so with this Peter Cincotti album. Each one I sampled, I wanted to own. I can't stop listening to it. That instrumental in Witch's Brew made my jaw drop. I LOVE Make It Out Alive, Another Falling Star, Be Careful, Angel Town, Love Is Gone, December Boys, Cinderella Beautiful, Lay Your Body Down...see? That's why I had to buy the album.

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 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

I have the other Cincotti CD's and love them. Saw him in concert about 10 years ago at the Gilmore Keyboard Festival in Kalamazoo and was blown away. This album lacks the quality of work, don't like the compositions or background. Peter has not kept up to his previous standard and taken a cheap shot on this one - as I see it.

I discovered Peter Cincotti when he sang on French TV 'Goodbye Philadelphia' and was so impressed that I bought his CD right after that. That was a few months back (it was released for quite some time already in Europe) and have since gotten his 2 previous albums. Great stuff all three.
The stand-out songs on this one for me were 'Goodbye Philadelphia', 'Cinderella beautiful', 'Make it out alive', 'December boys', 'Another falling star' and 'The country life'. Then I saw him at his concert in Paris and promptly added 'Be careful', 'Broken children' and 'Love is gone' to the list.
Some songs have a classy/classic feel to them and reminded me of Sinatra while others ('Make it out alive' for example) just make you want to tap your feet with the rhythm and join the dance. I didn't like all the songs but since I do love 2/3 of them and it did make me interested enough go out and buy his other 2 CDs which are different but also very enjoyable.

I've purchased every Peter Cincotti album the day it came out, and nothing had changed for this album. I'm always amazed by how technical his piano playing is, but he also leaves room to play with the rest of the band. I've seen him twice now, and have met him personally on both occasions. He's a great person, and has not been sucked in by his industry. I would recommend that anyone who enjoys hearing a great, great pianist, whether it be classical, jazz, funk, blues, any genre-- buy this album. Peter has shown all of his talent and skill in the album. It will NOT dissappoint you.

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.