Michael Civisca - Live With the Trio (13 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

The real deal

04/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Civisca is the best young male vocalist I've heard in a long time. He's a pop singer, not a jazz singer, but like the great pop singers - Sinatra, Bennett, etc., his singing is informed by jazz - not by R&B or rock. It's not (yet) fair to compare him to singers like those two, of course, but this album is a blast to listen to. He has a great set of pipes, and he knows how to use them. For example, on "Wonder Why," my favorite track, he sings pretty much the whole song just ahead of the beat, then lets the band catch up with him. Since every song is a standard, there are no duds, and you can listen to it through without skipping certain songs.It's refreshing to find a singer who serves the songs rather than by letting the songs serve his voice. If you've been looking for a young singer to pick up the Sinatra/Bennett/Torme mantle, this fellow may do just fine."

Great live performance

James Astine | East Coast | 04/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was one of a group of people that went to Blues Alley one night (Washington,DC)and I got to hear Civisca for the first time. I bought his Live CD and have not stopped listening to it. As a musician, I must say, this cat can swing! The arrangements to these old songs are fresh and exciting to listen to, as well as some very hip changes. It interests me how even though the band is playing in a jazz content, Civisca still controls the song by singing it fairly straight. It works! That evening of the show, in the midst of cigarette smoke and very dry air, Civisca put his heart into a few ballads that made me appreciate this young new singer. I look forward to seeing how this guy grows in the next several years."

Just Buy It!

Paul Wirth | Manhattan | 05/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought it, I heard it, I love it! The music lives on with this guy... My advice to anyone who is tired of listening to second rate wannabees...Just shut up and buy THIS!"

A nice set

Paul Wirth | 05/14/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Michael Civisca is a fine jazz-inspired crooner. This album is far superior to his first album of standards which includes unnecessary back-up singers and synthesizers. This time out, Civisca performs with a trio. It is obvious that he has a great affinity for Steve Lawrence, but he does not copy Lawrence's goofiness; he is truly hip. Along with Jonny Abeles and Tony Babino, Civisca is keeping the music alive and proving that young people are still interested in quality song."

Another chance to go back to real music...

Paul Wirth | 04/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think it is terrific that someone out there in today's music industry is willing to go back to the standards and revisit them. It is not an easy thing to do. When one must follow in the footsteps of singers like Frank Sinatra (and cope with the comparisons), it must be very trying. However, it's great to see that there are the individuals who choose to do this. In today's world of teeny-bopper music performed by groups who are told what to sing, wear, and act like, it's nice to see that Michael Civisca is around. He has a great deal of talent-- not to mention an incredible edge to his voice that Mr. Sinatra did not have, setting them apart-- and since this is only his second album, I would say that "the best is yet to come." I don't understand why someone would want to tear him down for the attempt that he is making. If many of the great crooners of the past are no longer with us, isn't it wonderful that there are still people out there who want to keep this music alive? Furthermore, this is not a forum for a person's looks. Perhaps I could understand some of the resentment better if Mr. Civisa sang everything flat, or if he had arrangements that were better suited for a department store or elevator. His album is swingin', and I can't thank him enough for sharing his talent and keeping a long, revered tradition alive and well--the standard."

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