Customer Reviews

Bossa 'N Roll

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This is the album that instantly made me a Rita Lee fan from the moment I heard her sing. I have since bought other Rita CDs which are also good, but nothing can top "Bossa 'N' Roll".

An amazing blend of Rita's rock hits with Bossa Nova style, these songs transcend both genres to become something timeless and magic. It was recorded live over the course of several dates in May, 1991. Gal Costa joins Rita on the last track, "Mania de Voce", but otherwise it is just Rita's wonderful voice and the beautiful guitar work of Alexandre Fontanetti.

Though a few songs are in English, most are in Portuguese, but believe me it doesn't take anything away if you don't speak the language - if anything, it adds mystery. Rita's voice probably most resembles Chrissy Hynde's - low and sexy - but Rita has a better range and a smoother delivery.

Standout songs are the first track, "Doce Vampiro", her cover of "Cry Me a River", "Jardins da Babilonia", and the stunning "Ovelha Negra" ("Black Sheep"). For me, the only less-than-perfect track is, ironically, the title song: "It's Only Rock And Roll" (which she sings as "It's only Bossa 'N' Roll").

This is one of my top five, "desert island" CDs for sure.

For those used to her old music, this is one of her best live performance which includes most of her great successes. I'm not a big fan of her English musics, as it doesn't represent her style, but it doesn't affect the music selection at all...

Most of the album is only Rita Lee & Alexandre Fontanetti with their acoustic guitars creating the right mood for the whole album. Even though recorded live in Rio de Janeiro (1991), the crowd didn't interfere with the quality of the sound, which is very well mixed.

If you like Rita Lee, you should surely buy this album and later add your comments!