Customer Reviews

Realce

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

 

 

I've been a huge Gilberto Gil fan for years. He has a charm and energy like nobody else. If you ever see him interviewed or in concert, you'll see that he has a very vibrant personality as well. "Realce" and "Toda Menina Baiana" are hands down the best songs on the album and they are in themselves worth buying the CD for. The rest of the tracks are pretty good, although those two songs really steal the whole album. Be sure to check this album out!

Track 7 alone ("Toda Menina Baiana") is worth the price of admission - "Every Bahian Girl has _saints, every Bahian girl has God-given charms, every Bahian girl has _ways, every Bahian girl has God-given flaws....." - the archetypal Gil song of which many live versions exist but I doubt you will witness a better version than this. Following on the heels of the superb, African-influenced "Refavela" (arguably his finest album), "Realce", recorded in Los Angeles, rightfully secured Gil's place on the world stage. Repeated listenings, like turning a diamond, reveal hitherto unseen beauties such as "Logunede" (track 8 ) and the Dorival Caymmi song "Marina" (track 5). CLASSIC.

Track 7 alone ("Toda Menina Baiana") is worth the price of admission - "Every Bahian Girl has _saints, every Bahian girl has God-given charms, every Bahian girl has _ways, every Bahian girl has God-given flaws....." - the archetypal Gil song of which many live versions exist but I doubt you will witness a better version than this. Following on the heels of the superb, African-influenced "Refavela" (arguably his finest album), "Realce", recorded in Los Angeles, rightfully secured Gil's place on the world stage. Repeated listenings, like turning a diamond, reveal hitherto unseen beauties such as "Logunede" (track 8 ) and the Dorival Caymmi song "Marina" (track 5). CLASSIC.

His early stuff is better if you can get a hold on it, but if you can't this album will keep you busy for a while.