Customer Reviews

Copacabana

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

 

 

My initial reason for purchasing the Copacabana CD was to hear Sarah's interpretation of Antonio Carlos Jobim's music. However, after listening to the entire recording several times I realized that this CD was a much more valuable find than I had anticipated. This, the second recording in Sarah's Brazilian trilogy was actually recorded in Brazil featuring native Brazilian musicians.

Variety is the keynote of this CD. On the first two songs, Sarah is accompanied by backup singers. The third song "To Say Goodbye" reminded me of the tonal quality of her memorable treatment of "Key Largo" (Jazz Profile) a song made popular by the recent Accura commercial. Additionally, if you are a Jobim fan as I am, you'll be pleased to know that four of the nine songs are his compositions. Of the four songs, I liked her interpretation of Dreamer and Double Rainbow best. If you liked the way Frank Sinatra's voice floats and rides the wave of the bossa nova during his session with Jobim, (Francis Albert Sinatra and Antonio carlos Jobim) you'll have a feel for Sarah's performance of Dreamer.

Fortunately, Copacabana was recorded during the period when producers engineered CD recordings with critical listeners in mind. You won't find any added booming bass as commonly found today. The technique of layering extra bass produces a muffled effect on the listening space, especially noticeable when headphones are used. Instead, you will hear crisp, clear stereo separation with each instrument being heard distinctly. The actual production technique utilized analog technology for recording and editing and digital technology for mastering. I prefer this technique because the sound of each instrument appears to stand out three dimensionally in contrast to the flat one dimensional sound quality of a totally digitized recording.

Though not technically perfect, if you appreciate quality, this is a recording that you'll enjoy for years to come.

sarah vaughan is probably the jazz singer best suited to give full development of these brazilian songs. her voice is so full and so expressive, she does credit to the women who originally sang these in portuguese, most notably elis regina. sad, sweet, joyous, powerful - all often in the same song.

This the second bunch of Brazilian standards by Ms. Vaughan who was backed by the same musicians as in the former album (titled 'I Love Brazil' here @Amazon). Features the great Helio Delmiro on guitar.

All material is Bossa Nova except the title song, an old traditional samba and also a smash hit in Brazil. 4 out 8 tracks are compositions by Antonio Carlos Jobim. Also includes an Ivan Lins' smash hit 'Abre-Alas'.

I'm actually not particularly fond of the title track, or the second song on the album. But the rest are perfect. Dreamer, a Jobim song, is one of her best. The others are super-laidback, relaxing. The album doesn't necessarily stand out, but it is one of her best nonetheless. I'd get it while it's still in print.

Frankly I HAVE to say something about this cd which has given me infinite pleasure over the last fifteen years. Like all Vaughan's Pablo recordings it's simply superb. I have even all the other Vaughan Brasil cds but this one is surely the best, the most intimate, the most emotional, the most deep, at least for me. There are three or four tunes that are simply unreachable. Dreamer, To say Goodbye and Dindi for example. Personally I love every tune here and really this album is one that I have almost destroyed through continue listening. I know it by memory. It's superb and Sarah sings like a Brasilian angel. Her vibrato is perfect for Brasilian slow and soft songs. A match made in heaven. Please, consider that to fully enjoy Sarah's supreme voice through this cd you should have a nice high end stereo system. It's important, believe me. If you are an audiophile, you know what I mean. The subleties of Vaughan's line and the deepness and wonderful dynamic of her voice can be enjoyed at the fullest only through an important and well assembled stereo system. Try to listen to "To say Goodbye" with a good system. Each time I have tears in my eyes for the beauty of Sarah's voice and interpretation!

'Copacabana' is probably one of Sarah Vaughan's most underrated and least known albums. Recorded in 1979 while Sarah Vaughan was still very active making recordings and branching out to experiment new forms of music she had not attempted earlier in her career. As someone here pointed out earlier, this is the SECOND in the 'Brazilian Bossa Nova' albums Sarah made (the other being 'Brazil' in 1977 and 'Obsession' in 1987, which turned out to be Sarah's final recording).

While lots have been written and said about Sarah Vaughan's voice, listening to her on this CD is just something that has to be heard to be believed. Her voice is so RICH and MELLOW, I don't know quite how to describe it other than to say it reminds me of a fine piece of rich, dark chocolate that has to be savored over and over again. Her tone is so smooth and warm and the voice is like fine, aged wine.

So what if you probably don't understand the words (some are sung in Portuguese), the melodies and her backup are beautiful to hear. Coming in at just over half an hour, this CD could've added some bonus tracks that I'm sure were left out on the original release in 1979. I think Pablo could have added at least two or three additional tracks from these recording sessions, but hey, 35 minutes of Sarah Vaughan singing beautiful Bossa Nova stuff is better than NONE. And she is quite second to none in terms of her artistry and musicality. Simply Superb and Well Done !

Sorry to have to contact you this way, but your out-source for used CDs sent the wrong CD. the back and side cover says one thing. the front cover and CD are something else. yes, i have contacted them, but i thought you'd like to know as well.