Tropical Postcards (Hybr) [Hybrid SACD - DSD, Import]

Roseanna Vitro | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 8, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD - DSD, Import
• Label: Challenge
• ASIN: B00022GJMO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #391,643 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars uneven but occasionally excellent, May 5, 2009

By 

Hugh Oliver (Provo, UT) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tropical Postcards (Hybr) (Audio CD)

Trio Da Paz is the rhythmic foundation of this disc and they are superb. Anyone who has heard guitarist Romero Lubambo knows how fine he is. The percussion work here is terrific as well--complex, subtle, but always maintaining the beat. Joe Lovano and Don Braden solo with great passion and creativity, and the 5-6 minute playing times of most songs allow them freedom to extend themselves. Pianist Kenny Werner is all over the keyboard, to little effect, as in "Just listen to how fast I can play, folks." Too often it's flash without content, but he is very accomplished.

The seven songs on this program by Brazilian composers would have worked better with a Brazilian singer--Joyce comes to mind, and possibly Flora Purim. Roseanna Vitro sings well, no question, but her voice is often too brassy, almost brazen for this format. Many of these songs are of an intimate nature, and an extroverted, "belted out" manner of delivery is just not appropriate. The Brazilian artists just named are also noted for aggressive singing, but I think they display a more natural energy and a lighter,more idiomatic voice quality which better matches the rhythm. And, I suspect their Portuguese is better. Also, Ms. Vitro's scat singing extends to the point of weariness and adds nothing to the music. On a positive note, Vitro does do quite well with precision and intonation. The second song of the disc, 'Land of Wonder', aka Terrestris and written by Tom Harrell, is a real tour de force and great performance by all. 'Land' is full of quick and unpredictable chord changes, wide leaps in the melody and all at a breakneck tempo. It is the program's highlight. Also of note is the inclusion of McCoy Tyner's 'In Search of My Heart', a wonderful song I hadn't heard since Phyllis Hyman's rendition of it on a Tyner album from the 80's.

Sound quality of this CD is outstanding. The engineers have really captured amazing detail and placement of singer and instrumentalists is just right.

For the songs and instrumentalists alone I can recommend 'Tropical Postcards'. Those who do not have reservations about Roseanna Vitro's outgoing approach to singing should not hesitate to obtain this CD.