Customer Reviews

Braziliana

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

 

 

Braziliana takes many sonic directions, all seamlessly interwoven by Bonfa's indescribably sweet playing and melodies. There are guitar instrumentals, songs with great twilight rushes strings, though mostly and best of all, the beautifully relaxed singing of Maria Toledo. The music is very dreamy and romantic, making Joao Gilberto sound downright stodgy - the sweetness is what I love about it. Each and every song gives us a beautiful melody - don't forget that Bonfa wrote the theme song for "Black Orpheus," a small masterpiece in its own right. The tunes here won't disappoint. As the vinyl is long out of print and nearly impossible to find, I'd say the expense is well worth it.

I remember this Record album from back in the 60s,seeing it in Stores and My friends parents had the LP in their Record collection.My general feeling was."Bleeh!This is what Grownups listen to!"..I didn't have to hear it!..Bossa Nova was everywhere!..The Brazilian Invasion was as big as the British Invasion...Now here it is many years later and how happy I am to have this CD and thankful that my tastes were broadened during and beyond my Rock phase(Rock never dies tho :o)..)I'm not sure how serious Bossa experts regard this particular Album..All i know is that its a little slice of heavenly 60's fluff...A most pleasing collaberation between husband and wife music & lyrics team.

Definately music for "Lovers"..and Music Lovers alike!

I was inclined at first to dismiss this CD as pleasant but inconsequential but have grown to more and more like the sheer glistening prettiness of its melodies and its detached sense of emotion. It lacks the melancholy and feeling of the Joao and Astrud Gilberto music from the same era - you never get the impression that either Bonfa or Toledo read Sarte and Camus - although Toledo herself sounds like a more assured version - both technically and psychologically - of Astrud Gilberto. Her voice floats over the unobtrusive background of Bonfa's guitar, strings, and light percussion with what some will find merely high-quality easy-listening. Sure, if you always want music to sound tormented this won't be your cup of tea but if you revel in loveliness of sound this is one to put with your Astrud Gilberto and Francoise Hardy CD's. One minor caveat: some listeners may be disturbed by high tape-hiss at certain points. Otherwise the sound is generally good - if obviously 1965ish.

A wonderful recording.... look at the cover design... lush green with Maria and Luiz... That is the contents of Braziliana, alternating from vocals by Maria with string accompaniment to guitar instrumentals by Luiz, solo or with combo. All the songs were composed or co-written by Luiz (most with Maria). Standouts: Tanto Amor, Samba de Orfeu, Saudade, Improviso. They made beautiful music together. Hats off to Verve Records for re-releasing this gem.