Customer Reviews

Encontros E Despedidas

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

 

 

Every once in a while something comes out of the clear blue, bowls you over with its beauty and STAYS THERE for the next 20 years. There are very few CD's or records(in fact, less than 20)in my collection of 4,000 that I can put on and listen to straight through to the end, without any editing, deletions, etc. This is one of those rare birds. If you're falling in love - or just thinking about it - get this baby and it will restore your faith, amplify your experience, or provide a marker so powerful that you'll never forget. Even if you don't speak Portuguese, the lyrics and melodies are so evocative that you'll be surprised how accurate your guess as to their meaning was when you have a Brazilian friend translate them for you. And the rest of the world agrees: Milton Nascimento has been the top-selling musical artist world-wide for more than 14 years. There's a reason.

I must confess I'm not a big Nascimento's fan! However, the immense power, and in contrast, the incredible smoothness of his voice have always impressed me. When I bought this CD as a gift for a friend I wasn't expecting so much! Then, when I had the opportunity to listen to it I got absolutely surprised. All songs bring a rare balance and unique music! A very consistent work where Nascimento uses all resources of his beautiful voice! The strength, beauty and gentleness combined in musics as "Noites do Sertao", "Lagrima do Sul" and "Vidro e Corte" are absolutely astonishing. And also, the whole CD has a very clear Brazilian soul. Typical, smooth, impressive. The lyrics are something else and is worth it to find some one who can translate them, in case you don't understand portuguese. I'm very pleased with the album and really recommend.

I completely agree with the other New York City music fan that thinks this is the best pop album of the last 20 years. I believe it stands alone. I'm sure I would think it is even greater if I could understand Portuguese. I also agree that the serious competition is Bob Marley's "Legend," but that that album is disqualified because it is a compilation that, better than any other album of which I'm aware, represents the achievement of a lifetime, however tragically short, and therefore cannot fairly be compared to a non-compilation album. (Otherwise, it is at least the equal of "Encontros e Despedidas".) For non-compilation albums of the last 20 years, the Neville Brothers "Yellow Moon" comes in a respectable but definite second.

Nascimento sings beautifully here, and there are some fine songs. It must be said, though, that some of the arrangements are pretty cheesy by contemporary American standards, and may take some getting used to for some listeners not accustomed to this style of music. If you can get past that, Nascimento's expressive, seductive vocals will reward whatever initial effort it may take.

Nascimento is one of Brazil's most celebrated singers, with a very flexible voice that is equally effective in mellow tones and at full power, soaring with ease over an amazing range of octaves. He had his first successes in Brazil, naturally, but has come to international fame with various jazz, folk and rock crossovers that include the sublime and the ridiculous.

For this album from 1985 Nacimento cowrote all the songs. They're mostly love songs in some way or other (if lamentation can be included as a manifestation of love) about nature, women, Africa, heritage, brotherhood. The mood ranges from the contemplative to the exuberant, mostly with a distinct Brazilian flavor. Unfortunately, to my taste, the frequent use of electronic keyboards, smoothy saxophone, reverbed drums, funky electric bass, and thick strings too often sound too much like '70s soft jazz movie music. Now, plenty of people enjoyed that music, and you might like it. Listen to the samples and see. It's a little hard for me to take at times, but I still enjoy the album.

The arrangements do vary. "Lagrima do Sul" ("Southern Tear"), about South Africa, apartheid, and dedicated to Winnie Mandela, is Nascimento's vocals and a slew of marimbas, congas and a few other percussion instruments. The tune is catchy and the percussion very lively. Play it loud for the full effect!

"Noites do Sertao" ("Country Nights") is vocals, guitar, cello and flute, all sweet and mellow, like old Cat Stevens. The title song (which translates to "Meetings and Farewells") also features a flute, this time played by Hubert Laws. "Quem Perguntou por Mim" ("Who Asked for Me") has some rather bluesy piano.

Clara Sandroni, who has an edgier, penetrating, low alto voice, sings the first verse of "A Primeira Estrella" ("The Morning Star"), which also features a choir. Both are quite effective, as is Nascimento, even with the cheesy arrangement. The piece with Pat Metheny, "Vidro e Corte" ("Glass and Cut"), sounds very much like Pat Metheny, with Nascimento doing some wordless sing-along. Despite the uninspired, monotonous reverb-drum, it's a nice, dreamy piece.

There is a liberal use of reverb processing that generally oversmooths the sound somewhat, including the vocals. Not terrible, just noticeable.

My choice for the best pop album of the past 20 years. The only album I think is close is Bob Marley's "Legend", but that's a posthumous "greatest hits" compilation, and thus doesn't count. It doesn't get much better than "Meetings and Farewells".