Customer Reviews

Eliane Elias Plays Jobim

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love this album and play it all the time. The material is great, and Elias has a unique approach which blends cool and vibrant jazz with a subtle Brazilian rhythmic flow. Her support too is excellent, with Eddie Gomez playing melodic bass lines that at times sound like a pizzicato 'cello or even a guitar! Both percussionists play with great subtlety and together they create a magical soundworld, heard to best advantage on the elusive 'Sabia'. This track and 'Zingaro' are truly haunting. Jazz fans will love what Eliane does with 'One Note Samba' and 'Desafinado' and there is plenty of lively and witty soloing along with the ballads. Highly recommended.

Obviously, something brought you to this artist and this particular CD. For me, it was hearing her amazing rendition of Don't Ever Go Away on a local radio station, and this cut alone is worth the price of admission.

The title is a bit deceiving, however, and I really didn't get what I was expecting. When one thinks of Antonio Carlos Jobim, one thinks of bossa nova and memorable songs from one of the best composers ever. What Eliane Elias has done is marry these melodies with true jazz, giving each song a twist with improvisations that only a gifted jazz artist can produce. For those who know these melodies well, this will be a real treat. For those who don't, you may find yourself struggling to find the melody as she playfully dances around it.

The only dissapointment here is the last cut, where she attempts to sing Don't Ever Go Away. While her playing is superb, her singing really leaves me cold, and it was a dissapointing finish to an otherwise excellent CD. One more vocal would have dropped my rating to 4 stars.

Bottom line, if you love jazz, and Jobim, this CD is a real treat, and some excellent work by Elias. But this CD isn't for everyone, especially the person who is looking for a "first" Jobim CD, or someone who is expecting a more contemporary version of his songs.

Elaine Elias is a talented and extraordinary well gifted brazilian jazz pianist - Her appoach and arrangements made in every track of this album are simply gold dust .
Antonio Carlos Jobim represents one the supreme names in the bossa nova mood . His name is so clearly engaged to Brazil that Aguas de Marzo or Girl from Ipanema are titles that have surpased its own age and have signed its memories in the immortality . Think in Stan Getz , and Astrud Gilberto for instance among other famous examples . They won Grammy Award in 1964 thanks to their undeniable talent , and supported for the lyric mood of Jobim .
All these performances are of first rate and confirm once more the prodigious talent of this artist .
A must for any jazz lover !

I do enjoy her vocals and the direction she takes some of her other works but this CD reminds me that she is first and foremost an incredible pianist.

No se puede dudar la calidad y el gusto musical de Eliane como compositora y creadora. Ahora este disco tiene, a mi entender, unas versiones dificilmente superables de Jobim. Recomiendo este disco, lo considero excelente y dudo equivocarme.

I have almost all of Eliane's most popular albums, and I dont really favor any of her works over another. What distinguishes each is her choice of accompianment. Her treatment of "Desafinado" on this album is superb, with Eddie Gomez and Dejohnette. If you like tasteful, sensitive piano, this album is a must. On top of that, Eliane is a stunningly beautiful woman, as evidenced by the cover. Buy and enjoy......

In 1989, I bought a cassette tape of this album. After I wore it out, I bought the CD. It was the first album I ever owned by Eliane and it is still one of my favorites. What else can I say? I predicted Eliane would go on to make a major musicial impression, and she certainly has!

If you like Eliane, buy it, you won't regret it.

Very soothing and relaxing. Best for intimate settings with someone special or small groups. This played in the background at a cocktail party I hosted and I received so many queries on who was the musician that was playing so beautifully. Eliane is wonderful!

Stylish & classy....grab a nice cool drink and enjoy this one