Customer Reviews

Playful Heart

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Oscar Castro Neves comes from the early Bossa Nova era (60s). He is an inspired composer, guitar player and arranger of so many Bossa Nova classics. He's the author of 'Onde Esta Voce', a Bossa Nova standard in Brazil in the 60s.

Typically a musician of musicians, Mr. Neves is one those artists who virtually touches a song with such delicate sensibility. He's surely one of those underrated artists who acts mainly behind the scene.

Soon he moved to the USA and began working in the local studios mainly as an advisor for Brazilian music on albums by some American artists like Dianne Reeves. He is claimed to be responsible for the Bossa Nova version of 'Something' which Sarah Vaughan sings in her 'Songs of the Beatles'.

His fans are gifted a new album from Mr. Neves now and then and this is a gem even considering some over-exposed material which anyway he arranges with such originality that it sounds irresistably fresh. There are some Jazz standards here and also some Brazilian hits like Tom Jobim's 'Wave' and the famous 'Manha de Carnaval (Orpheu's Samba)'.

Mr. Neves is also a longtime fan of Stephen Sondheim whose material was the theme for a beautiful album with various artists (includes Dianne Reeves and Nancy Wilson), a tribute to Mr. Sondheim.

Now, this new album also contains a guitar solo of Sondheim's 'Send in The Clowns'.

Features another track titled "Caruso", an Italian hit by composer Lucio Dalla which Mr. Neves treated similarly to Claus Ogerman's arrangement to Joao Gilberto's rendition to another Italian hit, "Estate". Mr. Neves sings this song as if flutuating in a tender mass of strings, an astonishingly beautiful arrangement.

Also features Toots Thielemens as brilliant as ever.

Oscar's rendition of "Waters of March" is the most amazing I ever heard. His original arrangement of "Fool on the Hill" is so personal, as are his other great interpretations of both Brazilian and American songs. I Highly recommend this album . It is filled with Brazilian soul.

"I" found this offering from this phenomenally subtle and EFFECTIVE artist, appropriate to the title, and appropriate to the 'touch'! Everything on this platter was provided with it's 'own' spin on things, and that is exactly why you like a certain 'artist'. They DO things accordingly, but with their own personal stamp, and this is nonetheless! And it is brilliant! I have found this man to be so tenderly sensitive in his approach that ANY shortcoming is overshadowed by its own 'uniqueness' that makes it a standout among others! Things don't 'have' to be all one thing, just because we 'associate' an artist 'AS' such. It is incredibly limiting for us to CAGE someone IN like that and not expect them to do anything outside of what 'WE' decipher to 'be' the category within which the artist plays! And I think that it is a disservice for us to do that, and to 'not' take the offering for what it 'is' and let it's own uniqueness speak for 'IT'! THIS is what This man does! And I have well appreciated everything that I have heard of him thus far, which speaks volumes, considering 'I'M' an artist myself with very discerning and discreet standards. From start to finish, Oscar is simple and profound, and very loving in his every approach, even tho' playful and 'fun' at the same time.... on 'this' platter..... thus, the 'appropriation' of the title, 'Playful Heart'! I LOVE it!

Any recording by this legendary bossa nova guitarist/composer commands a curious ear. As a bossa nova collector, I found only two bossa tracks. The vocals (many) were weak. He is no Joao Gilberto. The version of Wave was way too slow for my taste. Wave is not a ballad. Otherwise, great arrangements, and a very clean and crisp guitar sound from this Brazilian musical legend.