Customer Reviews

Rio-Bahia

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

 

 

Joyce may be one of Brazil's finest singers and songwriters, but she still has a remarkably low profile around US and Europe.
On the eve of another world tour where she'll be playing clubs and small halls comes a reminder of what makes her special.
She can tackle anything from delicate ballads and jazz-tinged bossa nova to more up-beat samba, and there's a delicacy, immediacy and energy to her work that sets her apart.
This set is a tribute to the two music centres of Rio and Bahia.
She's joined by guitarist and singer Dori Caymmi, who wrote many of the songs, including his exquisite collaboration with Chico Buarque, "Fora de Hora".
There's not quite the intensity or range of one of Joyce's live performances, and Caymmi's vocals are not up to his guitar work, but there are some fine moments, from the sophisticated scat of "Joaozinho Boa Pinta" to the gentle treatment of "Saudade da Bahia".
She likes to include the unexpected and "The Colours of Joy" is a tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, sung in English and with appropriate African influences.
Check it out, then see her live.

Joyce is the great composer who comes the 60s music scene in Brazil with a bright and tasty string of releases all well sung, all well arranged, all with great repertoire, nearly all by her own pen.

Dori Caymmi is the great composer who comes the 60s music scene in Brazil with a bright and tasty string of releases all well sung, all well arranged, all with great repertoire, nearly all by his own pen.

Oops! Do you think I made a mistake by repeating the same descriptive paragraph for both artists? I tell you that certainly not!

Obviously, there is some difference between them. Joyce is a gentle woman from Rio. Dori is a gentleman from the Bahia breed, from the illuminated music family of his father Dorival Caymmi.

Both Joyce and Dori have decided to meet in their first album collaboration in a toast to Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. This is the origin of the album title 'Rio-Bahia'.

What a swinging toast! What sensitive taste! What great performances in this album which was produced exclusively for Japanese market and then it is here @Amazon after being also issued in Brazil and in the UK.

Nearly all the arrangements are by Dori Caymmi, a master in swinging samba and also in romantic string sets.

Delicious voices by Joyce and hot grave tones by Dori: the voices matched beautifully.

Many new songs by Joyce and Dori except for 3 tracks, all sung in Portuguese.

Rhythm section includes Kenny Werner at the piano, Tutty Moreno on bass. A string section illuminates some tracks.

Joyce and Dori Caymmi had needed to leave Brazil to make Brazilian music of quality, therefore it is difficult here. The 14 tracks of this record are wonderful. It has the unknown partnerships of Dori with Chico Buarque and Joyce with Carlos Lyra. The rerecordings, with new arrangements, also are very beautiful. They hear "Daqui", with much attention. It is excessively!

I was a little wary of chirpy Joyce taking on the more brooding Dori and his compositions, but they accommodate each other to stir up a delicious concoction that tastes of sugar and salt. Kenny Werner fits right in with the Brazilian musicians and Tutty Moreno is just at the top of his game on the drum set. I just saw this band touring behind this album & if you like "painterly" drummers (e.g. Motian, DeJohnette), I urge you to go see Tutty Moreno when he comes to your town.

Joyce is an important and widely recognized artist. Here with Dori who reigns from a Brazilian musical family dynasty.
Now Joyce's voice and guitar are instantly lovable. But on the first few listenings I thought Dori's presence was out of respect. Well that all changed. One of those HAH! moments when I realized Dori doesn't push because he doesn't have to. Just laid back and in his own style. Together they are great and sure to raise a smile.

Also had the rare pleasure of seeing pretty much this band here in NY last weekend in a small club. A treat that brought tears to my eyes.

What a marvelous CD. I've been a fan of Joyce and Dori Caymmi's music for many years, and the two of them together on this are magical. I was fortunate enough to see them in concert together recently. From the haunting and lovely "Fora de Hora" to the uplifting samba "Pra Que Chorar", this is a must-have for Brazilian music lovers.

When I first saw that there was to be a new Joyce album, I was delighted. When I saw that it included Dori Caymmi, I was ecstatic! These are my two favorite Brazilian artists and they are on the top of their game in this album. From the playful Rio-Bahia to the lovely Fora de Hora, this album is destined to become one of my all-time favorites. It is well worth the cost and should be required listening for anyone interested in the best of Brazilian music. Highly recommended!!