Customer Reviews

Live in Bahia

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I first "rediscovered" Brazilian music several years ago, coming into it again the way I remembered it to be back in the '60s - all light and love and Bossa Nova - Tom Jobim and João Gilberto, exquisitely lyrical, exquisitely beautiful music. Then I came upon Caetano Veloso and my real love affair with Brazilian music began in earnest. Because I did not speak or understand Brazilian Portugues at the time, I had to be content with the musicality of Veloso's songs. Lyrics translated into English were few & far between in my early adventures listening to many of the great Brazilian vocalists. I will say straight out that current Brazilian music would not be where it is today without Caetano Veloso. A poet, a tunesmith, a superb musician, a political activist, to name just a few of his many accomplishments, Veloso has truly been a barometer of his times in Brazil. He sings of love, sure, but more importantly he sings of Brazil's stormy history, of its people of all colors, of the earth and the sky and the ocean, and of Bahia, where he was born - all of the mysteries that make up Brazil. His smooth voice can make women melt in his love songs; he uses that same smoothness, however, to surround his most politically charged poems. This 2 CD set encompasses all of the different sides of Caetano Veloso. "Noites do Norte" is a brilliant song built around the superb text of Joaquim Nabuco, telling of the effect of slavery in Brazil. "Tigresa", "Haiti" & "Zumbi" are remarkable for their powerful political statments. The love songs "Cobra Coral", "Samba de Verão", "Mimar Você", and "Tempestades Volares" are complex and beautiful, but "Tropicália" is the song that defined the "new order" in music in Brazil, with Veloso at its forefront singing of the realities of life for so many Brazilians. This is a handsome set of CDs, 32 songs replete with lyrics & their translations, and with excellent notes explaining many of the inspirations for Veloso's songs. This is a marvelous first album for people new to Veloso and a "must have" for Veloso's loyal followers.

It's true that the "audience participation" on the first disc is disruptive to the actual songs, but the second disc is excellent and definately worth a listen. It is tiring to see that so many older Caetano fans want to relegate him to the all-too-typical bossa-serenader who sings gently the same cloned stylings of a hundred other solo-bossa-singers, but I happen to like Caetano with an upbeat beat and an upbeat band. I happen to enjoy the diversity of solo guitar/voice as well as the all out latin rock that is on this album. As for the "party minded fans," -what do you expect from a live album? This album will definately get your feet stomping. The only problems are with disc one wherein "Haiti" is ruined and the audience participates too much. Disc 2 is problably some of my favorite Caetano music ever. (Why is the second "spotlight review" in the spotlight?- really cynical and closed minded).... disc one is about 3 stars, disc two is about 8 = 5 stars

I saw Caetano twice in October 2002, and met him after the show both times. This CD brings back great memories, and it's terrific to hear even if you missed the Noites do Norte tour. I love the updated versions of Two Naira Fifty Kobo, Noites do Norte, and Tigresa. Also, Magrelinha and Caminhos Cruzados mark a couple of high points that pull on the heart strings. The review from Stockholm is a bit misleading, in that the fans do NOT ruin every song, nor do they drown out Caetano in any way. This CD shows a wide range of Caetano's work. The DVD has most of these songs, and shows Caetano having a lot of fun on stage. Really a fine collection from a legend who seems like he'll just keep going forever.

If you don't have the honor of seeing Caetano live (and you shouldn't go through life without seeing him live!!!), this CD will be a good representation of his audience and his music. I personally don't care for "live" recordings, but when the audience sings along on this CD, in their voices, you can hear the love they have for him and his music...you'll be singing along too!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS CD.

Caetano is really on top of his game with this CD. It is a brilliant collection including wonderfully rich arrangements. True to the Brazilian 'beat', the first track is guaranteed to have you up and swaying with the beat of the music. A 2 CD set, it's worth every penny. It can only be made better by seeing him live in concert if you ever have the opportunity.