Os Sonhos Mas Lindos

Elis Regina | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 21, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Universal Latino
• ASIN: B000056KSU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #516,723 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Prettiest Dreams, February 6, 2002

By 

Rodger Collins (New Orleans, Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Os Sonhos Mas Lindos (Audio CD)

The diminutive dynamo Elis Regina was the first Brazilian artiste to exceed Carmen Miranda's domestic record sales. Born poor, she was a child prodigy with a `stage mother' and remained deeply driven throughout her short life (1945-1982). A dramatic festival debut in 1965 propelled Regina into the limelight at light speed, and she went on to become something of a national heroine when one of her songs gave momentum to the downfall of a repressive military junta that ruled Brazil in the 1960s and `70s.

Os Sonhos Mais Lindos (The Prettiest Dreams) serves as a tasty snack from Regina's musical menu. Material here from 1969 through 1977 features her strong, pure voice in various musical moods of the catch-all genre called MPB (Brazilian Popular Music) that she defined more than anyone. Among the attractions: a lively rendering of Gilberto Gil's "Amor Até O Fim" and sensitive readings of Pixinguinha's "Carinhoso" and Nelson Cavaquinho's "Folhas Secas". The production on the English "These Are the Songs" comes off as a grungy time capsule (wah-wah rhythm guitar, Farfisa organ and an annoying wail of a background vocal straight out of the cast of Hair), yet fans of the late Susannah McCorkle will raise an eyebrow here at the similarity of approach. There's also a blues (Sueli Costa's 20 Anos Blue), a haunting version of Baden Powell's "Canto de Ossanha" and a final medley including the famous "Aquarela do Brasil".

Whatever else she was, Elis Regina was quite diverse in the feel she could put into a song. She lived hard every day and reflected that emotion in her art (as she put it, "between the wall and the sword, I am drawn toward the sword"). That dexterity is what's best reflected in Os Sonhos Mais Lindos. Her impact on her own country can only be felt by those who lived through it, but here is a fine exposition of the powers of her performance.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the CD, April 19, 2004

By 

Black Ice (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Os Sonhos Mas Lindos (Audio CD)

I don't know a whole lot about Brazilian music, but I really enjoy Elis. Since I don't live in a very diverse place like say New York City, I am happy with whatever Brazilian music I can come across. But the Pacific Northwest is becoming more diverse. Having said that, I think this greatest hits is a great way to sample the Billie Holiday of South America. She is so intense and emotional in a way that fills you with awe at how somebody can open their hearts so much to the public. They used to call her the little hurricane and it wasn't for nothing. It is a shame that Elis' career was cut short because of a drug overdose, but her musical legacy still lives on. May Elis rest in peace.

4.0 out of 5 stars good except for "these are the songs", February 8, 2003

By 

Mnemosine "mnemosine" (Forest Park, IL USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Os Sonhos Mas Lindos (Audio CD)

I agree witht he reviewer that says that "these are the songs" is not at the level of the other songs of this CD. He graciously calls it a "time capsule". If anything, this ugly piece shows clearly that "that kind of song" is way below the average of brazilian music. Sure Elis can pull it off, but then, what for? who wants to listen to this when there is so much more in the other songs in terms of sophistication and real expression challenges for the singer? Maybe having this kind of contrast in one CD helps as a reminder that "these is the song" to get over with, and break off from preformatted emotions. Maybe Elis wanted this hard reminder there, to show what the market prefers to beauty...