Customer Reviews

Amorosa

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...mostly. As another reviewer noted, the three tracks that include string arrangements are done with taste and restraint. For the most part, this album is Rosa (vocals and acoustic guitar) with her core band (Helio Alves, piano; Paulo Paulelli, bass; Paulo Brago, drums; and Cyro Baptista, percussion). There's also some very nice work on clarinet and sax from Paquito D'Rivera and Rodrigo Ursaia, respectively -- and a beautiful vocal duet with the great Henri Salvador.

The arrangements are simple and direct -- and beautifully performed, with style and feeling. The recording quality is absolutely first-rate as well -- the samples you can check out on-line are nice, but they don't do justice to the crystalline sound on this album.

Track twelve is designated as a 'bonus track' -- it was recorded about a year and a half before the rest of the album, and features a guest appearance by none other than Yo-yo Ma.

Three of the songs included here were recorded by the great master Joao Gilberto on his historic album of the same title in 1977 -- and as a further homage to his influence on her style (and his place in musical history), Rosa includes 'Essa e pr'o Joao', her co-composition with Arnoldo Medeiros.

Another standout is her wonderful performance of the lovely and humorous 'O pato'.

When I picked this up last week, it stayed in my CD player for several days -- I couldn't get enough of it. It's one of the best Brazilian discs to come my way in a long time. Highly recommended.

Singer Rosa Passos has been one of Brazil's best-beloved bossa nova interpreters since the 1990s, when she first came on the scene... Her work is marked by calmness and control; this is another lovely album with Passos' voice even more serene and assured than ever. There's more of an overt jazz-pop tinge to this album, and less bossa nova purism, although the songs are still largely drawn from the classic bossa canon, with several Jobim tunes, one by Carlos Lyra, etc. Passos has an all-star cast backing her up, too, with Paquito D'Rivera on clarinet, the ubiquitous Paulo Braga on drums, Cyro Baptista on percussion, and some suave Brazilians -- Rodrigo Ursaia (sax), Helio Alves (piano) and Paulo Paulelli (bass) -- filling out the sound. Plus, dig the guest stars: cellist Yo-Yo Ma, on a fine version of "Chega De Saudade" and French hepcat Henri Salvador pitching in on an old Charles Trenet tune. All in all, a real class act -- folks looking for some classy Brazilian crooning will want to pick this one up.

While Rosa Passos has been around for a few years, most of her recordings have only been available via import. How sweet it is that the A&R folks at Sony signed her for her North American "debut."

With so many labels hurling new music at the wall, hoping something will stick, it is a tribute to producer, Jorge Calandrelli, that everything you hear on this disk is just as it should be. There is no pandering to mass market tastes, and the result is absolutely beautiful.

Passos' voice is feminine and natural, alert to every nuance of the lyrics -- so much so that even old warhorses such as Jobim's "Wave" sound as fresh as the the rain forest after a summer shower.

While some of the arrangements here recall Creed Taylors productions for CTI, (especially the strings in "Besame Mucho,") they seem to fit the material and voice like a glove. Most of the arrangements, though, are for small group, with Passos' acoustic guitar leading gently.

Bossa nova afficionados will hear a number of familiar songs by Jobim, Velazquez, Silva and even Gershwin, but Passos and her group bring a sweet, sultry, sophisticated touch to all they do.

Yo-Yo Ma makes a welcome cameo appearance in Jobim's "Chega de Saudade," and the effort pays out. Recording quality is as good as you get, with instruments slightly forward, but the ambiance warm and easy on the ear.

Now ask me why we haven't heard more about this artist or this nearly perfect release?

Timing is a bit short at just under 52:00, but I'd rather long for more than pray for less.

Five easy stars for this one.

The good thing about this new cd is that Sony, Rosa's new label has allowed her to do what she does best. The tracks with strings are tastful and not overdone which some would do with a voice like Rosa's. The track Besa Ma Mucho, an old spanish standard is done better than any I've heard since Carmen Mc Cray & Cal Tjader. This is a continuation of more fine vocals by Brazil's best female voice today.

Ok. Some little words on Ms. Rosa Passos: extraordinary Brazilian songbird. She also plays the acoustic guitar. She also composes original material.

Her style reminds you of those singers with a low key like Joao Gilberto and with a delicious sense of rhythm and feeling.

Unfortunately, her material choice on this album was a tribute to an entire album by Joao Gilberto, the standard 'Amoroso' with arrangements by Claus Ogerman which were at least 'imitated' by Jorge Calandrelli for some Rosa Passos' 'Amorosa' tracks.

An unnecessary choice for an artist with such great possibilities.

Ok, Rosa Passos is great but ... I'd rather refer to her album with Ron Carter or to her Brazilian albums with arrangements by Lula Galvao.

I've been a fan of Brazilian music since hearing the Getz/Gilberto album way too many years ago. If you like Bossa Nova, you will love Rosa Passos and will love this beautiful, tasteful, energetic CD. Rosa pays tribute to the great Joao Gilberto throughout, including a song for him. And yet she also sings some classic songs in her own style, with a rich, subtle voice. One track includes Yo-Yo Ma, and other tracks have other wonderful accompanying musicians. A must-buy if you like Bossa Nova at all. If you don't know what Bossa Nova is, but like jazz ballads, you'll fall in love with Bossa Nova with this CD.

I don't listen to a lot of Bossa Nova, but I found this CD listed as a favorite of YoYo Ma's, so bought it on that recommend. It is now a favorite of mine. The quality of the singing is very good. Ms. Passos' voice is smooth and silky, perfect for singing this kind of music. It's a great CD to listen to when you want to have a quiet romantic evening.

Rosa Passos is a very sophisticated singer from Brazil. Unfortunately she is almost completely unknown in her own country. In this CD she makes a tribute to João Gilberto (he has a 1977 album, "Amoroso").The last track has the participation of Yo -Yo Ma, cello.

ROSA!!!ROSA!!!ROSA!!!...I DARE anyone to listen to Rosa on a bright sunny day, without a smile!!!! I DARE anyone to play this CD while sipping a little cool Sangria and not feel passionate!!!! I DARE anyone to dismiss this marvelous, album...this wonderful... S'WONDERFUL, (Gershwin's classic and only English composition herein)...Really!!! You will be overwhelmed with emotion...and swept away by the hypnotic groove of the rhythm of Rosa's soft, subtle, caressing voice!!! YES!!!...YES!!!...YES!!!... You can't help falling in LOVE with Rosa on this sublime recording.... Trust Me!!!....Buy It!!!....You'll LOVE It!!!...Afterall, the name of the album is AMOROSA!!!...Any other silly questions!!!!

Remember "The Girl From Ipanema"? Well, she is alive and well and reincarnated in Rosa Passos. Rosa embodies all that you remember good about that soft bosa nova style made popular in the 60's and enjoyed thereafter. Her delicate, soft , little voice is the perfect vehicle for the bossa nova. It is just plain delightful and refreshing to hear an artist reviving the old tradition without the electronica makeover. I first took note of Rosa on one of Yo-Yo Ma's Brazilian excusions. She is a contemporary voice, deep rooted and well versed in the music made popular by Joao Gilberto. The disc has a light jazz feel to it, similar to when Stan Getz released his classic "Getz/Gilberto." The opening track,"Voce Vai Ver" sets the cool summer breeze tempo with soft runs on the piano and sax interludes while Rosa gently soothes your soul. I love this whole disc, each and every song is an instant classic. There are four tracks penned by another great, if not the greatest, bossa nova artist, Antonio Carlos Jobin, including the aforementioned opening track. If you were or are into bossa nova than the songs will be quite familiar. Who can forget "Wave" and it's catchy beat and mellow mood. An interesting note to this disc is her interpretation of "I Wish You Love" entitled "Que Reste-Il De Nos Amours." It is a masterpiece of eloquence. She performs a beautiful duet with Henri Salvador that is sensuous and delicious. She performs one song in English, the George Gershwin composition "S' Wonderful" that is tasty, sensitive and classy. The bonus track, "Chega De Saudade" is an outstanding number as she is reunited with Yo-Yo Ma. If you are looking for some contemporary bossa nova than look no further, you have found it. Recommended for enhancing summer breezes, putting a smile on your face, romantic nights or just dreaming of the "Girl From Ipanema."