Customer Reviews

Eu E a Musica

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Roberto Menescal, a pioneer composer and performer of Bossa Nova, and his long-time partner Wanda Sa, offer a delightful selection of classic Brazilian jazz selections including some of Menescal's well-known compositions and those of the "grand master", Antonio Carlos "Tom" Jobim. Their guitars and voices blend wonderfully and create the light, breezy familiar style that has become their trademark. I have had the privlege of seeing and hearing them live and meeting them personally and I have found that the genuine warmth, Brazilian passion and friendliness they showed to me is conveyed effectively through their music. Though well-known in Brazil, many international audiences, especially in the U.S., Europe and Asia are only now discovering one of Brazil's greatest musical national treasures. Listen once, and you too will know that you have found something very special.

This is great Bossa Nova. The guitar and vocal work of Menescal are a delight. Wanda Sa's phrasing and vocal quality are impeccable...and gorgeous.

Wanda is one of the better singers of Bossa Nova and on this CD she is obviously having a lot of fun. Here you will not find the American imitations. Here you will find the light yet complex sound of Brazil

STUNNING! They put the Nova in "Bossa Nova!" Because each track is actually of a medley of Bossa classics, the track listing above does not do this CD justice. Not to be missed: a brilliant rendition of "O Pato," at the end of the "So Danco Samba" track, complete with the Brazillian Portuguese version of quacking. (It sounds something like "quay, quay!")

I picked this gem of a CD up after hearing it in a little music store in Rio as it played in the background. This was clearly a staff favorite as it was playing each time I visited the store. I was very familiar with Bossa Nova but had not heard of this duo. The rich mosaic of the live acoustic guitars, supporting percussion and of course Wanda and Roberto's amazing voices make for a thoroughly beautiful listening experience. You feel like they're in front of you in a cozy little venue in Brazil. Perfect for relaxing, a loungy get together, romance, you name it. This truly is old school Bossa Nova at its very best. If you enjoy Joao Gilberto, Jobim and the other masters don't even think twice, add it to your collection now!

Acoustic guitar and soprano duos in Brazilian music are a winning combination. After listing to Luciana Souza singing respectively with guitarists, Romero Lubambo, Marco Pereira, and Walter Santos (her father), I felt there was too much guitar bravado and did not groove on her stylized jazz voice. Something was missing. I needed to hear this earlier album of Wanda Sá and Roberto Menescal. Sá desired simplicity and informality in this recording and the result is splendid. There is joy and happiness in her voice. Menescal's occasional singing applies harmonic accentuation and mellowness. It is as if listening to a jam in a corner of some studio, the artists entertaining themselves with great bossa nova tunes. The supporting percussion is unobtrusive. If you like your bossa nova relaxed and pure, this album will delight you.

This music is happy and exciting always great to play when you're feeling down...and when you're feeling good. It is romantic and sensual, recommended for any lover of Latin music.

I love Wanda's voice and the rythm of all those bossas and a couple of boleros.
You can perceive she is smiling when she sings. Glad that she is back. Roberto
is a master guitar player and composer.

Here it is, folks. Carioca da Gema! Menescal, one of Bossa's originals (Remember "Oh Barquino"?) plus one of Bossa's acolytes who carries on the tradition, Wanda Sa. I take special trips down to Rio just to hear those two. The next best thing is this CD. A must for serious Bossa nova collectors.