Last Quarter Moon

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Even though she only co-writes a few songs per album, Norah Jones's success seems to have re-energized the women's singer-songwriter scene, and this isn't bad thing--there's a lot of great talent out there getting support because of Jones. Italian songwriter Chiara Civello is one of them. Her breathy but versatile voice allows her to do a convincing French café version of Suzanne Vega's "Caramel," a wispy torch ballad "Parole Incerte" (one of three songs sung in Italian), or do a dancing version of the bossa nova tune "Outono." Working through a dozen songs, Civello is supported by an acoustic-based band composed of studio ace Steve Gadd on drums, keyboardist Larry Goldings and a handful of jazz and Latin jazz players. More impressively, she co-wrote "Trouble" with the legendary Burt Bacharach. An auspicious debut from a singer that seems to have already charmed musicians, labels and musical legends, Last Quarter Moon is the tasteful work of a singer-songwriter with global perspective. -- Tad Hendrickson

Tracks:

Here Is Everything
The Wrong Goodbye
Ora
Caramel
Parole Incerte
Last Quarter Moon
Nature Song
In Questi Giorni
Sambaroma
Trouble
Outono
I Won't Run Away

Amazon.com

Even though she only co-writes a few songs per album, Norah Jones's success seems to have re-energized the women's singer-songwriter scene, and this isn't bad thing--there's a lot of great talent out there getting support because of Jones. Italian songwriter Chiara Civello is one of them. Her breathy but versatile voice allows her to do a convincing French café version of Suzanne Vega's "Caramel," a wispy torch ballad "Parole Incerte" (one of three songs sung in Italian), or do a dancing version of the bossa nova tune "Outono." Working through a dozen songs, Civello is supported by an acoustic-based band composed of studio ace Steve Gadd on drums, keyboardist Larry Goldings and a handful of jazz and Latin jazz players. More impressively, she co-wrote "Trouble" with the legendary Burt Bacharach. An auspicious debut from a singer that seems to have already charmed musicians, labels and musical legends, Last Quarter Moon is the tasteful work of a singer-songwriter with global perspective. -- Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews:

Bravo ...Bravo.......2006-06-11

I first became aware of Chiara Civello when I listened to her sing Marvin Gaye's "I Want You" on Jason Miles' "What's Going On" CD. I can not tell you how many times I just played that song over and over and over again.

Chiara Civello's genius is her ability to put all her heart and soul into a song.

Great new talent and cd and great in person.......2005-07-17

This is an impressive debut record. It is very well and carefully made and very thoughtful and I like it more I listen to it. I would recommend it to anyone. I don't like comparisons like those made above in other reviews, but to answer I think she has more talent than Norah Jones, and although probably not quite as accomplished a pianist as Krall, has a lot more going on vocally, particularly when she sings in languages that are more natural for her. Also recently saw her at the Rochester Jazz Festival. She is very talented and highly charismatic. She sings even better in Italian and Portugese than in English. There she did a few covers of others' tunes, such as Joni Mitchell's and also did very well with those. I hope she keeps a strong jazz and brazilian influence. That is absolutely her strong suit, and I think that will be her ticket to stand out. She is very naturally musical as a singer/writer. If the record companies can resist the temptation for too much immediate hype/fad and keep focused on her as a talented musician and singer who can communicate emotionally very well, she will go very far on an international level for the long haul.

A developing talent.......2005-03-25

Chiara has a very pleasant and beautiful voice. However, if this review were based only on her voice, I'd probably give her 4 stars. The fifth star is for her songwriting and song selection, which along with her smooth, pleasant voice far surpasses the current crop of superstar female nursery rhyme performers with their mechanical, childish melodies and canned music.
Chiara's music has substance. It's organic. On listening to it, one hears talent--real people with real instruments. There is a sophistication and musical charm that can only be achieved by a talented singer/musician... which Chiara Civello is. I look forward to her next works.

A "Come Away With Me" wannabe.......2005-03-13

My attention to this album was drawn by the yellow sticker on the plastic, covering the c.d. case:

A STUNNING DEBUT FROM POP/JAZZ SINGER-SONGWRITER CHIARA CIVELLO:

"This record is haunting and she's fantastic. It really doesn't matter what she's singing about because her voice just captivates you. And 'The Wrong Goodbye'-HOLY COW-did she write that?"-Cindy Lauper

"This record is delicious. Chiara is potentially a huge singer-songwriter star...."-Burt Bacharach.

"...The best jazz singer of her generation."-Tony Bennett

With hype like that, I was intrigued. Is it worth all of that?

In a word, hellno.

Don't get me wrong; this is good. Chiara Civello has a strong, pleasant voice. Best jazz singer of her generation, though? Depends on how you define the word "generation", but I wouldn't say that right now she's as good as Norah Jones, Jane Monheit or Peter Cincotti, and all of them would have to be in the same generation. Her voice occasionally cuts out in her upper register, and she doesn't yet have the vibrancy in her lower register that "the best of her generation" should have. Fantastic songwriter? I'd give that label to Lorraine Feather or Rene Marie; but not to Ms. Civello, at least not at this time.

On this album, I'm partial to the tunes done in her native Italian, particularly "Ora" and "In Questi Giorni". And the arrangements are very nice, especially Suzanne Vega's "Caramel."

But ultimately, this album really reminds me of Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me." For this kind of hype, and with Verve's p.r. abilities, it ought to sell a bunch; and like Ms. Jones, Ms. Civello appears to have physical charisma. But both albums are well-done and pleasant, but ultimately fluffy. They both have been relegated to the "gone and almost forgotten" side of my c.d. carousel.

However, I will say that Chiara Civello has talent. She could become a superstar. I just hope that that happens based on developed talent, rather than on hype. RC

A Star Is Born.......2005-02-10

Chiara Civello is a new musical force to be reckoned with and her debut CD is a must have for those who want to get on this bandwagon early. Though some reviewers want to compare her to others, the wondrous thing about Chiara is that her voice and her talents are unique. Her songs, most of which she's written herself, are a beautiful mix of jazz and pop with an international flavor that demands serious attention. Her voice is strong, beautiful and her styling lyrical and unpretentious. I have been lucky enough to see her perform in small clubs a couple of times and she is dynamite in person! The best part is that she is only just getting started and you sense that the best is yet to come. Don't miss this CD!

Average customer rating:

Last Quarter Moon
Chiara Civello
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0006TPFPA
Release Date: 2005-02-07

Tracks:

Here Is Everything
Wrong Goodbye
Ora
Caramel
Parole Incerte
Last Quarter Moon
Nature Song
In Questi Giorni
Sambaroma
Trouble
Outono
I Won't Run Away

Album Details

Japanese Release featuring Two Bonus Tracks

Music:

Music

Music