Pieta [Import]

Milton Nascimento | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 30, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Wea
• ASIN: B000085CFS
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,433 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #91 in Music > World Music > Latin Music > Samba

Track Listings

1. A Feminina Voz Do Cantor (The Singer's Feminine Voice)

2. Casa Aberta (Open House)

3. Beleza E Canção (Beauty and Song)

4. Tristesse

5. Quem Sabe Isso Quer Dizer Amor (Maybe It Can Be Called Love)

6. Imagem E Semelhança [Image and Likeness]

7. A Lágrima E O Rio (The Tear and the River)

8. Voa Bicho (Fly, Bird)

9. Outro Lugar (Another Place)

10. As Vezes Deus Exagera (Sometimes God Exaggerates)

11. Cantaloupe Island

12. Pietá

13. Beira-Mar Novo (New Seashore)

14. Os Meninos de Araçuai (Children from Araçuai)

15. Boa Noite (Good Night)

16. Vozes Do Vento (Voices of the Wind)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Having recorded a series of highly influential releases during the seventies and early eighties -- and captured a worldwide following in the process -- Nascimento seemed to lose his way for a spell. But thankfully, he is back on track, praising the Eternal Feminine as personified by his mother and other strong women who have touched his life. The theme is not new to him -- the concept of a female twin soul/guardian spirit has recurred in his work since the beginning -- but this is the first time he has dedicated an entire album to the age-old anima/animus duality. His trademark baritone-to-tenor, crowned by an ethereal yet searing falsetto, is companioned by a roster of women altos (Simone Guimarães, Marina Machado, and Maria Rita Mariano) whose voices envelop his like darkly iridescent angel wings. Old friends like lyricist Fernando Brant and bassist Lô Borges, who have been with him since his youthful Clube da Esquina days, are on hand, as are icons from Brazil (arranger Eumir Deodato) and the U.S.(Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock). Although Nascimento's one-time naive sophistication has undeniably been superceded by a knowing, jazzy neo-primitive thrust, this is his finest effort in years and thus, an essential must-have. --Christina Roden --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Product Description

Milton Nascimento is a true musical superstar. Over a 35 year career, he has performed and recorded with stars of jazz, pop, world music and new age. Pieta is Milton's first release in six years. This album, dedicated to Milton's mother, is his strongest artistic statement in years, with bold new songs, many arranged by legendary producer Eumir Deodato. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless, November 21, 2003

By 

Dr. Pangloss (Decatur, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pieta (Audio CD)

I heard this album on a flight from Miami to Sao Paulo (TAM Airlines), not knowing who the artists were or when it was produced. Totally captivated by its musical breadth and beauty, I never changed the audio channel and let it cycle over and over until I landed 6 hours later. Some of the songs are still in my head. One need not know Portuguese to understand the emotion and feeling in these songs; the artists' voices alone will carry you along. That someone like Nascimento, who has been making music for so long, could come up with something so fresh is truly amazing; and his artistic companions on this disc were perfectly chosen.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I concur with All, February 16, 2006

By 

Rick Cornell "RC" (Reno, Nv USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Pieta (Audio CD)

I've read all of the reviews of "Pieta", both the original import and this "released for America" c.d. Everyone who has heard and reviewed this so far says "5 stars." I concur.

It helps when you really look forward to hearing an album. In the 1970's, one of my favorite albums was the great Wayne Shorter's "Native Dancer," with Milton Nascimento. This was Mr. Nascimento's first introduction to most American ears, and Mr. Shorter professed in his liner notes there that he had thought "everybody" had heard him. Well, no. But after listening to the unforgettable "Ponte de Areia", "Tarde", and "Lelia", tunes that have stuck in my memory bank nearly 30 years after, I thought that everybody should.

This is the first Milton Nascimento I've heard since then, and I must say, he's every bit the artist now that he was then. His is a baritone range with a peerless expression; and outside of Bobby McFerrin, perhaps, he has the strongest falsetto of any popular singer in the world.

The title track, "Pieta" (track 12) is every bit as unforgettable as the above 3 from "Native Dancer." Almost that terrific is track 3, "Beleza e Cancao". The rest is solid; not a weak track on this disc.

One wise thing Mr. Nascimento does here is he features himself with some terrific female singers: Marina Machado, Simone Guimaraes, Maria Rita Mariano, and on four cuts, a small chorus. They all sound heavenly, and rather than cover him, they truly augment the master.

One quibble, though this is with Tom Capone, the producer: Most of the liner notes from the import consisted of the Portuguese words of these original songs, primarily written by Chico Amaral or Mr. Nascimento. Those continue over into the American release, but with no English translations of the songs. Granted, Mr. Nascimento's singing is so expressive that you can get the emotion of what he's singing about; but I think I could appreciate this c.d. even more if I had a translation.

Not enough of a quibble to knock off a star, though. In spite of everybody who says this is a 5-star album, this is, in fact, a 5-star album. RC

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent...!!!, January 13, 2003

By 

Carlos Valdivia (Staten Island, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pieta (Audio CD)

I just bought this album on a recent trip to Brazil and got hooked from the beginning. I was amazed at the outstanding musicianship, talent and versatility of Milton. If you liked the Clube da Esquina albums (I have all Milton albums) , you are in for a treat with this one because some songs will remind you of those albums.
For the jazz lovers, you will enjoy an incredible jam session arrangement of the Herbie Hancock tune "Cantaloupe island" performed by Milton (voice), Pat Metheny (acoustic guitar) and Herbie Hancock on piano. The solos are incredible and I like especially how Milton uses his falsettos as another instrument that merges beautifully with Pat's guitar and Herbie's piano.
Additionally, on some tunes Milton sings alongside with other female singers, one of them being the daughter of one of the singer legends of Brazil; the late Elis Regina.
I recommend these album to everyone that enjoys Brazilian music. Even if you are not familiar with Milton Nascimento's music, you'll like this album.