Customer Reviews

Ambar

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Âmbar (Amber) shines from song to song with Bethânia's inimitable performances. With both simpleand elaborate arrangements - not overdone - and perfect delivery, Bethânia's renditions take the listener on a musical journey through the new and the classic in Brazilian song. Her enunciation in "Chão de Estrelas" ("Floor of Stars") is precise and poetic. It is a well-deserved tribute to song writers Sílvio Caldas and Orestes Barbosa. Jaime Além's guitar accompaniment brings out the simplicity and serenity in this classic Brazilian tune. Besides Adriana Calcanhoto, who wrote the title track, another newcomer to Bethânia's repertoire is Brazilian sensation Chico César. César's first composition featured in this release, "Onde Estará o Meu Amor" ("Where Will My Love Be") is a melancholic song with a soft Brazilian countryside feeling. It is, however, in the other Chico César song, "Invocação" ("Invocation"), that Bethânia shows her extraordinary voice and interpretation. This haunting melody and poignant lyrics begin with the string section setting the mood for the invocation. There is darkness in the music and mysticism in the words. Bethânia sings "Invocação" almost like a prayer. Virgínia Rodrigues provides a ghost-like voice in the background, like a prisoner and slave crying. This chant contrasts dramatically with the drum and bass accompaniment.

Switching from this emotional setting, Chico Buarque joins Maria Bethânia in Ary Barroso and Luiz Peixoto's "Quando Eu Penso na Bahia" ("When I Think of Bahia"). The tone is very relaxed and fun. Having performed together in a Canecão show in the 70's in Rio de Janeiro, Bethânia and Buarque feel very at ease in each other's presence. However, Bethânia's homage to the Brazilian greats does not stop here. Vicente Paiva and Jayme Redondo's great exultation prayer "Ave Maria" ("Hail Mary") is a peaceful and beautiful song praising Brazil. Like other well-known songs in that same vein, "Ave Maria" paints the colorful Brazilian landscape and the beautiful open skies in a very sensitive performance by Bethânia.

Caetano Veloso's "Eterno em Mim" (Eternal in Me) is a statement for Bethânia's life. From the opening words, "não há nada no mundo que possa fazer eu deixar de cantar" (there is nothing in the world that will keep me from singing), until Bethânia's last breath, she puts a lot of emotion in these lyrics. Her voice carries the weight of someone who truly believes and lives Veloso's lyrics.

Âmbar is the celebration of Maria Bethânia's 50th birthday. As a mature artist, Bethânia continues to explore the new music of Brazil as she records Adriana Calcanhoto, Chico César, and Carlinhos Brown at the same time as she sings classics by Sílvio Caldas, Orestes Barbosa, Ary Barroso, and Vicente Paiva. Âmbar clearly shows the singer's dedication to her art. Bethânia's passion is stamped in every note and word she breathes. Âmbar is exuberant and heartfelt

Los portugueses dejaron presente su sello de melancolia en la musica de cada uno de los paises que colonizaron. Es esa misma melancolia la que le da ese encanto a la musica "lusofonica". Ambar es una gema, que con sus letras y melodias apela a las fibras mas intimas de sus oyentes. Bravo Maria!

HERMOSA!!!!!!Realmente es una joya musical que deleita el alma y activa todos los sentidos del que lo escucha.*Me fascina María Bethania.*

Maria Bethania was born to sing.This she does passionately often showcasing the talents of a variety of Luso-brazilian songwriters.In this wonderful work,Maria starts off with the title track penned by Adriana Calcanhotto,her friend from the South of Brazil.The lyrics depict the depth of a woman's happiness on her journey to self realization.
The presence of Calcanhotto's gem hints at Bethania's skill at exposing the new generation of Brazilian songwriters(new MPB)via her voice.Later in the CD,you will her two songs penned by the incredibly talented Chico Cesar,ONDE ESTARA O MEU AMOR(a beautiful ballad)and INVOCACAO(a conversation with God about his gender among other things).As you listen along,the tune LUA VERMELHA will entice you dance to the notes and words of Carlinhos Brown,bahiano like Bethania.But most of all you will be enthralled by the presence of two gods of Brazilian popular music:Caetano Veloso(Betha's brother)and Chico Buarque.One,Caetano,is present through his song ETERNO EM MIM,a beautiful love song.Buarque ,however,is in a dueto with Maria celebrating Bahia,QUANDO EU PENSO NA BAHIA,a classic from the 1940's.Overall,she manages to present songs from the new and the old in her own personal style.I bought it!

Before this one, I've heard about four Maria's records from the 70's. They are all great, spectacular. But I thought that she has not much to say these days. Well, I was wrong. I bought "Ambar" because I heard it and found it a really surprise. Has a great production and very good songs, some old, some from new artists, and traditional ones. There also guests stars invited like the unique Chico Buarque, and Maria's voice is provocative and sensual like the old records. The only reason because I didn't put five stars to "Ambar" is because doesn't take many risks.