Customer Reviews

The Life Aquatic: Studio Sessions

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have had "The Life Aquatic" soundtrack on my wishlist for awhile, but never bought it for two reasons: it's copy-protected, and it only included a few of Seu Jorge's songs, NOT including my particular favorite from the movie, "Queen Bitch." I actually got Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" album after seeing the movie, because I was so impressed with Seu Jorge's interpretations of Bowie's songs. Many songs from "Ziggy" are on this acoustic album, including "Starman," "Ziggy Stardust," "Lady Stardust," Rock 'n' Roll Suicide," "Suffragette City," and "Five Years." In the liner notes, David Bowie himself is quoted as saying, "Had Seu Jorge not recorded my songs in Portuguese I would never have heard this new level of beauty which he has imbued them with."

One reader was disappointed there was no lyrics sheet. I agree, especially since the lyrics in Portuguese don't correspond with Bowie's lyrics. By the way, "Seu Jorge" just means "Mr. George." "Seu" is not a first name, just a title. You may recognize him as "Man? Galinha" (literally "Chicken Manuel," but strangely translated as "Knockout Ned") from the movie "City of God."

This is a great album for fans of David Bowie and Brazilian music. If you like this album, or acuoustic Brazilian melodies in general, you should check out Jorge Ben's 1974 album "A T?bua de Esmeralda," which is probably the best album I've purchased in the past year.

Even after a year "The Life Aquatic" was released, Seu Jorge's Protuguese versions of David Bowie songs still remain soft and genuine with Jorge's guitar and compelling voice. Half the reason for buying the original "The Life Aquatic" Soundtrack was listening to Seu Jorge. Then, half the reason for buying the special edition DVD was listening to Seu Jorge yet again!
With the release of "Studio Sessions," Jorge proves again that his versions of Bowie's songs are original songs, with a slight hint of Bowie sprinkled here and there. The standouts here are "Ziggy Stardust," "When I Live My Dream" and well everything else. The original five tracks on "The Life Aquatic" soundtrack are rerecorded (Starman, Rebel Rebel, Five Years, Life of Mars and Rock'n'Roll Suicide) but do not carry as much life as they did in their first release. However, that's not to say that are not great songs, but the other nine songs are more powerful.
While one reviewer suggests that this release is "bad" because one song, "Space Oddity" is not on the cd but as a download via iTunes, that does not give anyone the right to give this one star. Go ahead and spend one dollar (One dollar) on "Space Oddity" but it will not kill you. Seu Jorge's "Studio Sessions" deserves more credit for its originality and loving sound.

Like everyone else, I agree that the Seu Jorge tracks were undoubtedly the best musical part of the movie. Like the movie, these songs are a little eccentric but also beautiful and sincere. Few people can cover a David Bowie song and not sound like a wannabe, but Jorge manages this grace to produce a wonderful aural experience. I will definitely check out his other musical work...his voice is so rich, and his guitar totally unaffected. Lovely.

Word of advice: Get it on iTunes so that you pay $3 less and get "Space Oddity."

This is not really a review but I don't believe the samples linked on this page are actually from this album. ???

"The life aquatic" is one of my favorite movies, in part because of Bill Murray's minimalist (some might say surrealist) period, but also because of Seu Jorge's part in the movie. If I recall correctly, his character doesn't participate in any dialogue, he just shows up in different scenes for no apparent reason other than sitting there strumming his acoustic guitar and singing bossa versions of Bowie songs.

I bought the soundtrack immediately after seeing the movie, and it's great, but I was a little disappointed it didn't include all of Seu Jorge's songs, so it was a real treat to find out about this release.

Jorge is obviously a huge Bowie fan in his own right. In listening to his versions, you realize that he just loves these songs. As Bowie himself comments in the liner notes, had Jorge not recorded these songs in Portuguese, he would never have heard this new level of beauty Seu Jorge imbued the songs with.

10 out of 5 stars.

Listen: When Bowie recorded these songs, they were alive with the sly, sensuous and wry wit of an impish young star - full of himself, and leading a raucous life through his guileful, wanton desires. They crackle with energy and freshness and candor, with the brash audacity of careless, reckless youth.

Bowie's originals are lively and cheeky, full of winks. But Seu truly gives these melodies life, infusing a rare and precious breath of soul into these sacred songs. He uncovers an almost solemn maturity that Bowie never even hinted at. It's nearly as if they were his all along. His approach to these covers is so sober and respectful, he is obviously wise beyond his years. I have nearly 5 gigs of Bowie on this computer, but can't stop hearing this CD. Well worth the price of admission.

If these songs were the soundtrack to your youth, these re-interpretations are simply a piece of heaven. If you have to ask, you can't possibly understand.

I don't mean that Seu Jorge is Mozart but I do mean that this album and all his albums are divine.

These sessions of Seu Jorge are pretty different. The stress and simplicity in the guitar and singing exemplify synergy. I didn't love the movie, but like so many films in the same genre, the soundtrack is close to perfect.

It's also very different from most of Seu Jorge's other albums, but it still increased my appreciation of his musical gamut. If you are buying this based on his other albums you may want to sample some of the songs.

What a powerful combination of Seu Jorge's voice and David Bowie's best songs! For those unfamiliar with Seu Jorge, his voice is a rich and deep one and produces surprising range with wonderful effect. Seu Jorge -- a product of Brazilian favelas --sings with heart and feeling. There are at least half a dozen songs that will surely please the listener. If you enjoy music sung in Portugese, accoustic guitar, David Bowie -- okay, you needn't necessarily like Bowie -- and the wonderful voice of Seu Jorge, you will be very glad that you bought this album.