Serenata

Mike Marshall And Jovino Santos Neto | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: September 16, 2003
• Label: Adventure Music
• Copyright: (C) 2003 Adventure Music
• Total Length: 52:10
• Genres: International/Latin Music, Jazz/Latin Jazz
• ASIN: B000QR0NWW
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,501 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting crosscultural acoustic jazz album, May 25, 2004

By 

DJ Joe Sixpack (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Serenata (Audio CD)

Following a trip to Brazil in 1995, Newgrass mandolin whiz Mike Marshall decided to tackle an entire album of Brazilian "choro" music, the zippy, propulsive instrumental style pioneered in the late 1800s, alongside it's better-known musical cousin, the samba. On this album, Marshall delves deeper into his love of Brazilian jazz, exploring the work of avantnik multi-instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal, one of the most original and more challenging modern Brazilian jazz players. On the whole, I would say this set is far less "out there" than most of Pascoal's own albums, but the interplay between mandolinist Marshall and pianist Jovino Santos Neto reveals a strong intuitive link, both between the performers and the music they're tackling. Interesting album with some remarkable moments. Pascoal himself adds a flute solo to one track, giving the album that extra bit of authenticity...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pascoal Tamed yet His Melodies Flow, June 30, 2011

By 

Dr. Debra Jan Bibel "World Music Explorer" (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Serenata (Audio CD)

Before discussing this particular disc, I need to note that the duo of piano and mandolin needs to be heard more often. The contrast of timbre delights the ear, and there is something cheerful about the sound of a mandolin. That said, I find that Mike Marshall and Jovino Santos Nero are splendid musicians, but I find the overall arrangements of these works by Hermeto Pascoal are the direct opposite associated with the wild man of Brazil, that is, tame and mellow. The guest appearance of Pascoal on flute on track 2 indicates the difference in style. Santos Neto is well familiar with these selected works because he performed for 15 years with Pascoal's group and is curator of his over 2,500 compositions. Marshall, who came from bluegrass, later mastered the choro. For a listener who is challenged by the intensity and oddness of many of Pascoal's recordings, this album will be comfortable, for it is rich in melody and smooth in sensation. Perhaps too much so at times. Track 4, "July 14" stands out with its interesting jagged rhythm, and track 8, Tertulia, has a tango-like urgency, but the general tone of the album subdues these highlights. For instance, the final track, Santa Catarina, has a playful fast Bach-like introduction but rapidly melts into a slow current of notes. However, we should differentiate Pascoal as avant-garde performer versus his being composer, and these musicians were more concerned with the score and the lovely tunes. Serenata is a fine album, but I would prefer some more spunk. Others may be attracted to the relaxed style.