Customer Reviews

Heart Speaks

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

 

 

I was shocked to read the review by "someone" from Toronto. I am pretty sure he does not understand either jazz or Brazilian music. Blanchard does a good enough job with the music of Ivan Lins, and I can hear this CD over and over. Please do not pay attention to the review I am refering to, BUT TO THE MUSIC in the CD, you will enjoy it very much.

Other efforts by Blanchard are very good, but I prefer him working is small groups (quartets, quintets). He is an excellent performer, composer, and arranger, however, under the shadow of fellow trumpeter from New Orleans,Wynton Marsalis.

I was a bit late on the Terence Blanchard bangwagon, but now that I'm here...I'll be staying on! This album is VERY nice and it wasn't until I actually paid attention to my, 'Mo' Better Blues' soundtrack notes that I saw that he had his hand in that work. This CD combines that smooth Terence way with the sensual unpinnings of music from Brazil. My favorite, "Antes Que Seja Tarde" meaning "Before it's too late" speaks to the people of Brazil and what they need to do to make a brighter furture there, simply sweet! This is one of the few CD's that I have that no particular programming is needed. I put this one in and press play! Terence has paid homage to a musical style and group of people that truly touches ones heart! The heart TRULY does speak and says......go get this one!

Lush,sensual and at the same this make you feel calm and contemplative.Blanchard is brilliant!Listen to his tone and articulation.Delicate and smooth.And especially in slow tracks his merit is throughly exemplified.He chose not to waste too many notes,sticking to his beautiful long tones more than usual.And this album contains many slow tracks.You will be immersed in his tonal magic in this ideal setting.

Oscar Castro-Neves plays the guitar in some tracks.Paulinho Da Costa is in the band,too.

This 1996 release is my favorite Terence Blanchard release (not counting his score for the filmSugar Hill (1994). This CD is Terence interpretation of original material by Ivan Lins, if you like this you might also like A Love Affair: The Music of Ivan Lins.
Most, of this CD is in Ivan native tongue (which I think is Spanish) but this to my ears only adds to the beauty of this CD. Besides, the passion of Terence's playing, with Ivan piano prowess, and vocals is a wonder in itself. This was my introduction to Brazilian music, and is a good place to start. Favorites on here are: Aparecida, Choros Das Aguas, The Heart Speaks, Just For Nana, but I can listen to this all the way through. My words don't do this CD justice. Listen and enjoy for yourself.

This recording is a splendid example of the concept of synergy, i.e., when two or more entities work together to produce something of more value or effectiveness than the simple sum of their individual contributions. Trumpeter Terence Blanchard combines with Brazilian singer/songwriter Ivan Lins to produce a recording that is far better than anything I have ever heard from either one of these artists. Who'da thunk it? Lins's voice can become grating, but here it is used to complement Blanchard's trumpet, and it works perfectly. Blanchard is a fine player, but never really inspiring--but working with Lins seems to have inspired him to the point that his trumpet truly speaks from the heart. The other musicians on this recording also contribute with heartfelt musicianship, the net result being the perfect CD for a romantic evening.

Excellent album. It is an instant jazz classic. Even years after it's release, I find myself coming back to it. Lins is brilliant, and Blanchard does his work a most fine service. Apreceida is Perfect.

I am a fan of Brazilian music of all kinds, and a sometimes jazz fan. I have read about Terence Blanchard's work but, until this CD, had not heard him. Ivan Lins gives Blanchard marvelous songs to play but Blanchard does virtually nothing of interest with them. In fact, the playing is mind-numbingly, teeth-achingly dull. Too often on the slower material, Blanchard holds notes for what seems like forever because he has no other place he wants to go. Technically proficient, but boring, the CD feels like it lasts for hours. Lins tries adding vocal accompaniment to most tunes, but that usually doesn't work, because again Blanchard shows no understanding of the material that he is working with. Any of Lins own albums is better than this by a wide, wide margin. As for Blanchard, I don't know him well enough to hazard a guess, but I sure don't plan to give him another listen for a long, long time.