| Product: |
Astrud Gilberto in General |
| Date: |
07.01.02 (105 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: bossa nova, brazilian music, latin beat
Disadvantages: you're joking!, she's unknown, unfortunately!
Bossa Nova changed my life. Literally and forever!
I was working as a student in Eastbourne in 1966 and happended to pop into the local record shop. Somehow I came across a "Joao Gilberto" record and from then on I was completely hooked on Bossa Nova, Samba and, eventually, MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira).
Soon after, Frank Sinatra, Stan Getz and Joao's wife Astrud, got on the scene, plus many other Bossa Nova artists. Everyone was singing "A garota de Ipanemena" (The girl from Ipanema), and it still has a strong influence today.
Why this comment on history? Well, Astrud Gilberto was a short term success and, if you really want to know, is TOTALLY unknown in Brazil (after being hooked I was irresistibly drawn to Brazil and now have a lovely Brazilian wife and 2 adorable Brazilian/British children). Joao Gilberto is considered a semi-God, but his ex-wife...??
Monica Vasconcelos falls into the easy listening, Samba/Bossa Nova, Latin music grouping, but, above all, she is a delightful singer and presenter. Along with her current group "As Meninas", consisiting of the German Ingrid Laubrock on Saxophones, Ife Tolentino on Guitar and Chris Wells - Drums and Percussion, she is undisputedely the new Queen of Bossa Nova!
I was fortunate enough to see her at the Forest Arts Centre in New Milton, Hampshire, and I can honestly say that Astrud Gilberto "Ja era" (is an has-been)!
Oh... I may have been a bit quick of the mark by calling her the "New Queen of Bossa Nova" and this restricts her repertoire somewhat! The group "As Meninas" covers a wide range of Brazilian music, and Bossa Nova is just one of them. But just don't ask them to sing "Girl from Ipanema"!
Their latest CD is called "Bom Dia" (Good Morning) and the list of titles is :
A Rã (The Frog)
Para-Raio (Lightning Conductor)
Chovendo na Roseira (Raining
on the Rose Bush)
Bom Dia (Good Morning)
Insensatez (How Insensitive - an old Bossa Nova favourite)
Procurando Tu (Looking for You - brilliant!)
Atras da Porta (Behind the Door)
Tres Vendas (Three Sales ?? I can't figure this one out)
Dindi (Dindi - another "oldie")
Que Maravilha (Wonderful)
É Doce Morrer no Mar (It's Sweet to Die at Sea)
Vestidinho/Canto Pra Cira (Little Dress/Song for Cira)
Summary:
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Last comment:
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Ophelia - 07.01.02 Not really my cup of tea. But one man's meat etc.. A bit more info about the music would have been good. |
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