Aquarela Do Brasil

Dionne Warwick | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1994)
• Original Release Date: October 25, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B000002VOW
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #266,901 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo!! A dynamic break from Dionne's classic standards., June 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Aquarela Do Brasil (Audio CD)

I enjoyed this CD very much because Dionne braved the waters and recorded Brazilian Music even singing in Portugese. I was a nice break from her traditional standards. I instanly fell in love with the beautiful track # 9, Brazil (Aquarela do Brazil). I was fortunate enough to catch Dionne in concert in Houston and she sang 'Brazil' and '10,000 Words' in concert and she was so energetic and excited with these Brazilian tunes that it was simply oozing out of her pours. She sang the songs with so much gusto and fire that when I came back home I had to listen to the CD again to see if it was the same songs. Dionne is the consumate performer and singer and one can readily experience the love she has for Brazil by listening to these songs.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DIONNE'S LUSH BRAZILIAN CLASSIC!! BRAVO!!!, March 17, 2004

By 

Bradly Briggs (TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aquarela Do Brasil (Audio CD)

From the haunting and atmospheric Jobim opening medley, you know that this is going to be the ultimate Brazilian musical journey! Dionne's voice is the perfect blend of delicate tones that have a passionate and deeply soulful feel to them. Mellow rhythm flows you through a glorious "Virou Areia" and the fascinating native tropical feel of "Oh Bahia" is stunning with a richly varied vocal from Ms. Warwick who has never sounded as exotic as she does here!! How was a masterpiece such as we have here so overlooked as this is a truly brilliant musical tour of what feels like a topical paradise here. Antonio Carlos Jobim "Piano Na Mangueira" has a beautiful percussion and piano arrangement with a flowing Portuguese duet that takes you on a nice ride to another land!! Burt Bacharach goes Brazilian on the gorgeous "Captives Of The Heart" which in better musical times would have been a huge hit as this richly romantic song has a classic Warwick vocal. Dionne's own "Samba Dobrado" is a rich mix of wonderful flowing piano with an inspired English-Portuguese duet that is captivating. An epic "Heart Of Brazil" is a richly woven tropical musical tapestry that has a haunting and rich vocal by Dionne flowing beautifully through it. To the jungle we go in "N'Kosi Sidelel'i-Afrika/So Bashiya Bahlala Ekhaya" and what a great musical adventure this is! Chanting beautifully mixed with unusal percussion instruments showcase a totally mesmerizing vocal from Dionne. Stirring guitars surround an enchanting vocal for the title song of this brilliantly original set and "Brazil (Aquarela Do Brasil)is a stunning work. Epic is Legendary Duke Ellington's "Caravan" as wild pounding rhythm's showcase another brilliant vocal from Dionne that finds her at her absolute peak in this great musical celebration!! This monumental masterpiece of authentic Brazilian songs is the greatest work ever from an American Singer and Dionne Warwick should be very proud of her incredible accomplishment. Gorgeous melody flows romantically through the beautiful and haunting "Flower Of Bahia" with a hypnotic vocal from Dionne. My favorite is saved for last and what a cooking classic "10,000 Words" is!! Hold on for the celebration of a lifetime that is composed by the great Brenda Russell who along with the great Siedah Garrett contribute to alot of the brilliant background vocals throughout this inspired collection! Be ready to use your repeat button alot throughout this wonderous set of the best from Brazil!! Bravo to Dionne for this great masterpiece and to her brilliant supporting cast which includes Dori Caymmi and so many others that are all so great but way too many to mention. If you love the beauty and romance of music from Brazil do not miss this classic!! This is as good as it gets!!!!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Overall, very satisfying and nicely done., July 6, 1999

By 

William V. Windsor III (Boulder, Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aquarela Do Brasil (Audio CD)

I purchased this CD on the basis of another reviewers comments. I was a little wary of Dionne Warwick singing brazilian tunes (some crossovers are terrible). I really like this CD. My only complaints are with the "Jobim Medley" and "Caravan" tracks. I love the music of Jobim, but this medley seems heavy, wooden, and far too rhythmically square. "Waters of March" in particular is so even, rhythm-wise, it's hard to listen to. "Caravan" is a great idea, but not executed very well. The mix is too heavy on percussion and too light on vocals.

Having said those things, the rest of the CD is wonderful. I love that she sings in Portuguese at various times. I love the arrangements-tasty and rhythmically interesting. My current favorite track is the "Heart of Brazil." I'm still singing it to myself days later. I'm very happy I purchased this CD.