|
She was backed by the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, and I have rarely been in the presence of such beautiful, moving - in more ways than one -- music. She also explores widely the music of her homeland, from the very well-known, at least to American ears, Antonio Carlos Jobim: doing his "Eu Nao Existo Sem Voce," and "As Prias Desertas,"to composers and lyricists lesser-known here.
Souza, from Sao Paolo, Brazil, is descended from a musical family known as bossa nova innovators. She has a beautifully pliable voice, sheer aural cognac, that you might think wasn't meant for jazz, but you would be wrong.
Luciana Souza's "Brazilian Duos," would have to be considered Latin jazz at its silkiest and most beautiful. Three of her records, including the one at hand, have been nominated for Grammies.As has been the diva's habit, on this vividly colored record, she is backed by two outstanding Brazilian jazz practitioners, Romero Lubambo and Marco Pereira.
It is ideal for jazz, at least Latin variety, Brazilian genre. The artist has also been getting increasingly better known recently: her work on Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters, won her a 2008 Grammy, and she wowed audiences in an engagement at Brooklyn's BAM (the Brooklyn Academy of Music), with Paul Simon.
In addition, she's backed on several tracks by Walter Santos, her father, less-known here, and gives us several songs he co-wrote with her mother, Tereza Souza.I was lucky enough to recently catch her performance here, in Wilmington. You really want to get to know this young woman's work.
I.e., if I were to be marooned on a desert island with only a few CDs, it would be one I would choose. If Luciana Souza were to sing for you, in your living room, this is what you would hear. The guitarists are equally amazing. Its jazz, samba, choro, traditional, all on a personal scale. The craftsmanship of everyone involved with this album is immaculate. Luciana's voice is gorgeous, her enunciation crisp, her arrangements charming. "Brazilian Duos" is Desert Island music for me. It is unique, not at all formulaic.
You probably won't dance to it, but it will transport you to Bahia, at sunset: "As prias desertas continuam, esperando por nos dois. You would never forget it. (The deserted beaches are still waiting for the two of us. This is intimate music, just one voice and one acoustic guitar, almost more in the way of chamber music. Of all my Brazilian music (I speak Portuguese and have quite a few), this is the one that gets the most play. Its beauty, charm, humor, love, saudade.
Depending on what you've heard, you may have to broaden your concept of Brazilian music. No drums, no backing choirs, etc. This is music that you love, that you would put on with a small group of friends or maybe just your sweetheart. )."
I might not go so far as to compare her to Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, etc., but she's really not that much below their strata. I don't speak a word of Portuguese but Luciana I find that Souza's singing has an enormous emotional impact on me. She's a true vocal artist, gifted with a lovely voice but also with incredible technique to translate emotion into sound in a way that very few vocalists have ever done. Even if you don't think you like Brazilian music I would get this disc; it will win you over. A beautifully recorded album as well, very spare with just voice and guitar.
This is a great album for anyone wishing to hear superior guitar playing and singing. The cd has a great Latin flavor, and is relaxing, yet invigorating at the end of a hard work day. I highly recommend it.
What a voice. What great guitar accompaniment. The combination of voice and guitar cannot be any better than when you place her voice in harmony with either of the guitarists who back her up on this album. Superb to put it lightly
|
