Customer Reviews

Seio da Bahia

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I stumbled onto this album at a listening booth of a local music store and immediately bought it after listening to the first track. Vania has a marvelous voice of clarion clarity with an exactitude that reminds me of a great trumpeter like Clifford Brown. Listen to how she handles chromaticism of the first track "Mais de Mim". Throughout, her emphasis is on musicality and clarity rather than "expression", without, however, losing naturalness and warmth of feeling. Arrangement is also attractive, understated and more folksy than other (admittedly small number of ) MPB albums I'm familiar with, and often with a modal flavor. My favorite track is "Anjo da Velha Guarda" which I'm in a habit of playing twice before proceeding with the rest of the excellent album.

I was fortunate to be in Salvador do Bahia in December '99 and see Vania Abreu in concert with her "much more famous and hip" sister Daniela Mercury. I walked away from the wonderful show actually enjoying Abreu more than Mercury.

So, I got back to the states, bought the CD from Amazon and fell in love completely with her music. She has a beautiful tone, range and is PERFECT if you are studying or learning Portuguese because her diction is AWESOME!

My favorite songs? "Seio d Bahia," Mais de Mim," and "O Perdao." I'd describe it as a mixture of easy-pop, folk, jazz and cajun!

If you are interested in trully brazilian music, you must have this album. It is a masterpiece. Vânia knows how to sing songs with her voice and heart. She combines modern music with brazilian traditional roots like nobody else.

I agree with the reviewer below that Vania does sing better than her sister, Daniela Mercury. Not that I don't enjoy Daniela. Any fan of Brazilian music should have a couple of her CDs to truly appreciate the range of sounds coming out of that so very musical country. Daniela has it totally down in terms of the very slick but still very tasteful commercial sound. More power to her, but let's get back to her sister. Vania's voice has a richer timbre than Daniela's and her delivery more controlled, more low-key. (I agree again with the reviewer below in preferring her voice to Marisa Monte's....) Vania's is the sort of hip music that you put on when you have real musiclovers over for dinner. The songs here are great and well-arranged. It would be interesting to hear the two sisters sing together, but the choice of song and arrangement would be crucial to avoid any elements of gimmickry. Check out Vania, music fans.

I'm a huge fan of Daniela Mercury. Vania has learned what her big sister had to offer and has added to it. This is an awesome album that I can listen to over and again. Vania has a beautiful voice. I can only say positive things about this album. Bem feito!!!

I stumbled onto this album at a listening booth of a local music store and immediately bought it after listening to the first track. So, apologies to Amazon.com, but I hope my comments will help them sell a few more of this wonderful artist's album. Vania has a marvelous voice of clarion clarity with an exactitude that reminds me of a great trumpeter like Clifford Brown. Listen to how she handles chromaticism of the first track "Mais de Mim". Throughout, her emphasis is on musicality and clarity rather than "expression", without, however, losing naturalness and warmth of feeling. Arrangement is also attractive, understated and more folksy than other (admittedly small number of ) MPB albums I'm familiar with, and often with a modal flavor. My favorite track is "Anjo da Velha Guarda" which I'm in a habit of playing twice before proceeding with the rest of the excellent album.

I was hooked since the first album I heard from Vania Abreu. Seio da Bahia is a mature, beautiful, well orchestrated album. Vania gives her soul and incredible interpretation for a vast range of truly brazilian music. Thank you Vania.

I'm also a huge fan of Daniela Mercury's and was surprised to learn that her younger sister sang as well. She sings in a completely different style as her older sister, Daniela. I've read in an online magazine that Vania's musical style favors the "samba da cancao" genre of music.

In my opinion, Vania's a better vocalist than her older sister. Her ability to control her voice is stunning. Like her older sister, Daniela, it is extremely joyful. Strangely enough, her style of music and her warm voice reminds me of summer days clear blue sunshine filled skies lounging around the pool and sipping an ice cold lemonade.

My favorites off the album are "Maim de Mim," "Seio da Bahia," a very happy tune, "Anjo da Velha Guarda," (Angel of the Old Guard) "Conto da Areia," (Sand Story?) Her remake of Clara Nunes' "Conto da Areia," was done better, in my opinion than Clara's original version. To top even one of Brazil's best samba singers is a feat. To be honest, although I like Marisa Monte's sweet voice, I think that Vania rivals even Marisa's. If you want to hear Vania's exceptional vocal ability at her voice at her best listen to "Voz Guia," (The Voice Guides.) I play this CD often! Vania's voice is pure alegria!

There's no way for me to avoid superlatives when the subject of this album (or Vania herself) comes up. Flawless. Or damn near. And my goodness! That voice! Once you hear it, it will stay with you. Now, I love Daniela (who doesn't?), but I have to admit that her baby sister is the runaway winner in the department of vocal appeal and versatility. Two things I wish, though: first, that Ms. Abreu would get a little more axe happening (not too much, though!), 'cause she could rock that; second, that she would actually play here in the States once in a damn while, so we could all worship her in person...

vania abreu , en este cd,despliega un excelente voz,y una suave melodia. Su version de este hermoso repertorio no desfavorece en nada a las versiones originales (sangue latino, conto da areia,etc) Un tratamiento vocal suave, con melodias armoniosas sin que falte para nada ese peculiar ritmo y sabor de brasil. Una gran cantante , que se destaca entre los "nuevos" de brasil por meritos propios. Altamente recomendable para los que gusten de la musica de brasil o latina, o solo de la buena musica bien tratada