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Rating:
We all know that the golden era of Bossa Nova was between the late '50s and the early '60s. One of the events marking the epoch was the soundtrack of the film "Black Orpheus," from way back in 1959, a moment that saw the collaboration of Jobim and Bonfa, perhaps the two most important composers of this musical genre. Bossa then became known outside Brazilian territory thanks to the work of American musicians Charlie Byrd and Stan Getz, particularly thanks to the 1963 album "Getz-Gilberto." From then on, Brazilian compositions rightfully entered the standard repertoire of every jazz musician.
The album I want to highlight in this review is something much later, recorded as late as 1974. Nevertheless, in the opinion of many, it represents one of the masterpieces. It is credited to the collaboration of one who is in some sense the father of Bossa, composer and arranger Antonio Carlos Jobim, and one of the most talented Brazilian singers of all time, Elis Regina. Her style is a bit rougher and less sunny than what many other Brazilian singers have accustomed us to, but with incredible dramatic strength. Someone has described her as Brazil's Janis Joplin, for whatever such comparisons are worth.
The opening is a sensational version of "Aguas de marzo," a song you probably know as it has been overused in advertisements with rather shoddy versions. Here you will find it restored in all its splendor, in the form of a duet between Jobim and Regina that ultimately bursts into a melodious laugh. An ode to the joy of living.
The tone of the record further on becomes quite melancholic and dramatic. Among the pieces you might know are "Corcovado" and "Triste," while the rest are compositions not well known outside of Brazil. All songs are by Jobim and collaborators like Buarque and De Moraes.
It’s a bit of a shame not to know Brazilian to understand the lyrics (however, if you really want to, there are English translations in the booklet). But Elis Regina’s voice is so eloquent that you'll grasp the message instantly. It’s music that, for that matter, will go straight to your gut without passing through your head. Well hidden in Bossa Nova, there is a lot of blues, and this singer knows how to find it by natural instinct.
Elis Regina would die from alcohol and cocaine intoxication in 1982, at just 36 years old.
Tracklist and Lyrics
05 Triste (02:39)
Triste é viver na solidão
Na dor cruel de uma paixão
Triste é saber que ninguém pode viver de ilusão
Que nunca vai ser, nunca vai dar
O sonhador tem que acordar
Tua beleza é um avião, demais prum pobre coracão
Que pára pra te ver passar
Só pra me maltratar
Triste é viver na solidão
06 Corcovado (03:53)
Um cantinho, um violão
Este amor, uma canção
Pra fazer feliz
A quem se ama
Muita calma pra pensar
E ter tempo pra sonhar
Da janela vê-se o Corcovado
O Redentor
Que lindo!
Quero a vida sempre assim
Com você perto de mim
Até o apagar da velha chama
E eu que era triste
Descrente desse mundo
Ao encontrar você
Eu conheci
O que é felicidade
Meu amor
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