Customer Reviews

Sol Na Cara

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

 

 

I agree with the reviewer that said that this is Vinicius Cantuaria's best US release. I first really got into him with the Brasil 2Mil compilation piece (first track here) and it was togetherness ever since. I first picked up his latest realease, Vinicius, followed by Tocuma, and oddly, I found the quality better as I went back in time to his earlier releases until I picked this one up.

His sound is very dark and soulful, this is an acoustic album. His style tends to use sound effects in the background, but there is a charm to his style that makes him very easy to listen to. A smooth voice and a nice message. He is a poet. This particular release has the translations in the cover sheet which also is a nice touch to those that cannot speak portuguese. Good touch IMO.

I'd pick this one up - definitely before the later two. And if you like this, pick up some of Joao Gilberto's acoustic releases - namely Voz e Viola.

This is a complete treat to the ear, from the first to the last song--one of those rare CD's that you can buy not just for one or two songs. Some of the tracks are co-authored with Caetano Veloso and they are excellent samples of good bossa-nova. Cantuaria also introduced some popular themes that are delightful. The CD booklet includes translations that make English listeners to enjoy--though limited as it can be through a translation--the poetry of the original lyrics.

Like Joao Gilberto's or Antonio Carlos Jobim's godchild, Vinicius wooes us with neo-Bossa Nova sounds: sweet and sublime and so joyful and wistful.

His later material (Tucuma, for example) is more "neo", but these songs reflects the older bossa nova sweet cadence.

I especially liked Samba da Estrela, but all are great.

Although he has recorded MANY lps in Brasil this was the first US release cd from the New York based self described practicioner of Nova Bossa Nova, Vinicius Cantuaria. It is the absolute BEST of his 3 USA releases to date!(The other 2 are superb also) There is not a bad track on the entire cd, not ONE musical gesture wasted. Vinicius' vocals are in the "classis bossa style", but the arrangements are more "contemporary", Vinicius has progressed in his niche much as Tom Jobim continued to grow and expand HIS vocabulary.(Check out Urubu & Matita Pere to see what I mean). Subsequent Vinicius cds and his STRONG presence on a cd from percussionist Mauro Refosco show even more of the new cultural cannibalism , incorporating members of the New York new music underground, jazz "rebels" like Bill Frisell, and rock icons David Byrne & Laurie Anderson. AMAZON has provided listening of this cd, but PERSONALLY, I think they "missed" some of the cd's FINEST TRACKS! "Samba de Estrela" celebrates Vinicius' love for his favorite futebol club,(risos!!!!!), "O grande Lance......" is a BEAUTIFUL ballad, and Corre Campo is a glorious tribute to the Bumba-Meu -Boi. Thanks goodness the David Byrne , the English , and Japonese musics fans (among others) have shown such interest in the GREAT , almost forgotten Musicos Brasileiros,as Vinicius, Marcos Valle, Tom Ze, Itamar Assumpcao and of course, Victor Assis Brasil and HERMETO PASCOAL --I have been able to replace some old scratched lps , and NEW RECORDINGS from these musicians have been released thanks to the new interest in their artistry!... (O Itamar"s 2 cd set, "Bicho das Sete Cabecas" is a MUST for fans of Tom Ze or Arrigo!! All 3 Vinicius Cantuaria cds flow naturally from one to another, so I will implore you check out all 3 in this one review-- GOOD LISTENING!

Great album! Different than "Vinicus" but almost equal in the quality of the material offered. Strong songs with hooks and pleasantries all over the place. Romantic - highly recommended!