Customer Reviews

Live: Skirball Center 8/7/03

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

 

 

Congratulations to Kufala Records . A Great job !! Incredible release.
This is an 'Authentic live album ' that capture the real concert feel, real concert atmosphere. Not a fake live album with a lot of overdubs,studio manipulation.
The previous review says: High-Quality CD-R ,but I think is a little mistake. Not a CD-R , this is a real double CD manufactured by 'Cd Forge' FActory pressed cd. Yes, I agree , High -quality recording.
Cd 1 ( 4 long tracks -total 40 minutes long) is improvised oriented with a hipnotic version of Gilberto Gil's Prossisão . Absolutely incredible !! Great Vinicius , great band !!
CD 2 is song oriented , I think.
Just one more thing : Buy it !! A wonderful and sincere concert,from an original and authentic artist.

A superb 2-CD set capturing Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Vinicius Cantuaria at his adventurous best, in a live performance with percussionist Paulo Braga and others backing him up in a long, leisurely set. Cantuaria covers a wide range of material -- several Caetano Veloso tunes, a couple by Jobim, some Cantuaria originals (including one cowritten with David Byrne), and a spooky opening version of Gilberto Gil's "Procissao." The dynamic and stylistic range is impressive, and gives a good sense of what this guy is capable of... nice stuff, though maybe a little more "out there" and challenging than his studio albums. Like other Kufala releases, these are high-quality CDRs, but for Cantuaria fans, this'll be a must-have item. Recommended!

Vinicius Cantuaria's one of my favorite musicians. He's done so much work through the years and contributed to so many different albums - whether he's lending a hand with his unique vocal or providing his underrated guitar magic. Having said that, I was excited to hear that he had made a live album and here it is - from the Skirball Cultural Center in NY. Having nearly all of his albums I was intrigued to hear how the live album would stand up.

And it does so quite well. I somewhat disagree with the individual that didn't believe this lived up to the studio interpretations - mainly because of the fundamental difference between the two types of recordings. But beyond that, the live interpretations have a real, genuine 'life' to them because they're in the moment. From the very first track, I was pulled into the album - the rendition of Procissao. Amazing build... and I prefer this to the version on "Horse & Fish" - not even close. In fact, just now I was listening to the version on Horse & Fish but wanted to hear the live recorded one instead! You've got his terrific guitar play, subtle effects and magic on the guitar. Pretty powerful! Vinicius also did a few other favorites from the mid and late 90's including "Sim Pisar No Chao". All of the albums here have a very cool, very real feel to them as only live musicians and Vinicius could bring to his moody music. Check out the quick percussion work in "Rio", and just to add that extra bit of rustic flavor he almost has a violin. It's always neat though t ohear his interpretations of Brazilian classics, which really stands out in the live performances. Whether it's "Joia", which he's not the only one to redo (listen to a neat accapella version by Joyce on "Passarinho Urbano"), or "O Barquinho", he puts his own twist to the music. I especially liked Joia here - nice how he mixed in Edu Lobo's "Upa Neguinho".

I definitely recommend this. By all means, check out his regular albums too which are also very special - the original interpretations and you can hear pinpoint and crisp musicianship. But this was neat because, in a very good stereo system with surround, you really get a sense of the concert and long to see one. The more I think of it... I was actually listening to Brazilian Boots cd when they did their version of "Ligia", and I wanted to hear some Vinicius Cantuaria so checked out Horse & Fish but then wanted to hear this one. How's that for a circle!

The beauty of this disc is that it does capture very well the vibe of seeing Vinicius's show. Sure, it doesn't have the clarity of a studio effort, but these 2-discs are a good representation of how mesmerizing and playful he is live. Very highly recommended.

This band has good musicians overall - but they sound like they would've been a bit better with a little more rehearsal time... Vinicius' studio efforts are so flawless and fresh - the calrity just amazing - that this live effort fails to live up to its promise. Not to mention that most of these tunes can be found on other studio albums.

The musicians on his studio albums are top notch as well. Start there first...