Peter Cincotti

Peter Cincotti | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 11, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Concord Records
• ASIN: B000088UQE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (128 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,584 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 98 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A young pianist/singer clearly destined for GREAT things, June 6, 2003

By 

Joel L. Gandelman (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Peter Cincotti (Audio CD)

People seem to be somewhat divided on Peter Cincotti, but part of the criticism aimed at him is because he's 19, the voice he uses so well is not completely matured, and, most of all, his national CD "rollout" was highly hyped (there is always a backlash against excessive hype since it says "I DARE YOU NOT TO LIKE IT" to critics). But put all that aside and what you get do get on this CD? A great jazz pianist who's a very good singer who shows huge vocal potential -- and lots of ARTISTIC GUTS.

If you never heard Cincotti before, didn't meet him, didn't interview him, etc. (and I never have) you will listen to this CD and discover a young musician who had the courage to put some of his self-composed songs on his first, standard-peppered jazz CD; a singer who has either studied the great piano and singing masters or is someone great reincarnated; a singer who shows incredible potential in his vocal style since his voice is not yet fully matured.

This CD collection is basically divided into three groups of songs performed by Cincotti and three other musicians: classic standards, his own compositions (with nice lyrics by relatives), and jazz versions of rock standards (Spinning Wheels; Fool on the Hill).

Of all of Cincotti's own compositions, the zippy Are You the One comes closest to a classic standard that could be performed by any singer and delight audiences anywhere. Some others, including his trademark I Changed the Rules, are not quite as strong melodically. But he deserves CREDIT for this: if he had not been daring and wanted to play it safe he would have recorded a first CD exclusively of old standards and then, once he had the new fans wanting more, put out a CD sprinkled with his own tunes.

The CD's strongest performance is Sway. In this song he shows a mastery of vocalstyle definitely suggesting a young Sinatra, in terms of phrasing and making lyrics come alive.His piano work is topnotch. Vocals may not be a 100 percent realization of his enormous potential, but that's what's so exciting. His voice is that of an old teenager ....but that will likely change (on the other hand Michael Jackson's has hardly changed so what do I know??).

When I was a kid in a theater group our director told us: "You don't want people to say you're great actors for 16 or 17 year olds. You want them to say you're great ACTORS."

Based on this CD, Cincotti is a potentially great singer, potentially great composer, and already a great pianist -- and his CDs are likely to get better and better. The only reason it doesn't get five stars is due to the (courageous but uneven) song selection. But some Cincotti-composed songs will undoubtedly catch on (and he'll write more) among jazz fans. And he will undoubtedly eventually do a CD exclusively of classic standards. If he continues to evolve, he'll be one of the "greats" in this genre in the 21st century.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gift For You, March 20, 2003

By 

S. Schmoil (Boston Mass) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peter Cincotti (Audio CD)

I Just listened to this album out of curiousity about all the talk of Cincotti, and for my ongoing search of the seemingly nonexistent young singer who could compare to the great singers of the era of the style of music Peter is doing. Bingo finally (I think). This is more advanced than what I ever thought a young singer could put out. Way beyond the accomplished jazz piano playing are vocal interpretations that, unlike every young singer attempting this music, never ripp off or copy in any manor the phrasing or style of the pros of yesteryear who obviously inspired Peter into this great music. He delivers a lyric believable beyond reason whitch seems to be coming from a place of honesty instead of gimmickry. After hearing this record and recalling some of the other reviews here, I had to laugh at those who said "give the kid a break or a chance - he's young..." He is apparently doing awfully well and while we all need our "chance" it's more like - give yourself a break and a treat. This truly was a surprise and treat for me. I look forward to hearing of Peter Cincotti coming to perform in my home town area.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredibly talented jazz vocalist, March 11, 2003

By 

"p_bauer" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peter Cincotti (Audio CD)

Peter Cincotti's self-titled debut is a wonderful album, filled with a charming elegance that seamlessly blends Peter's background in jazz and classical piano with a fresh new soul. After wowing people at the Algonquin Hotel's famed Oak Room, Peter has been attracting listeners and receiving acclaim from fans and critics alike, and this album showcases the extent of his musical abilities as a pop-jazz vocalist, pianist, and composer. "I Changed The Rules" is the opener for this record, and captures his unbridled musical talents with a youthful Sinatra-like voice. It also presents his rendition of the Beatles' "Fool on the Hill," which segues beautifully into Nat King Cole's "Nature Boy." This album is an attractive demonstration of this talented, young jazz vocalist, and is definitely not one to be missed.