Wonderful, Sizzling Elis Regina Performances.
RBSProds | Deep in the heart of Texas | 08/04/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Five Stars!! The legendary Elis Regina is a Brazilian National and World Music Treasure over 20 years after her accidental death and this CD tells you why!! There was simply no other to whom she could be compared. She's an idiom unto herself, instantly recognizable, and one who always demands our complete attention.
This CD is simply wonderful and loaded with 'Pieces D'Resistance'. From the joyful "Voce" (taken from the amazing CD "Aquarela do Brasil" with Toots Thielemans in 1969); to the definitive "Madalena", complete with strings and 'whistlers'; to Milton's "Nada Sera Como Antes", chalk up yet another Five Star winner. And don't miss her outstanding performances of Jobim staples "Triste" (from "Elis & Tom") and the sizzling version of "Aguas De Marco" is without Jobim. "Mucuripe" is amazingly beautiful, as is the show stopper "Como Nos Pais" (Like Our Parents).
"Atras Da Porta" (Behind the Door) is the mesmerizing original version, where Elis hums the unwritten Chico Buarque final verse from the unfinished manuscript. It's hauntingly beautiful and Elis infuses it with so much overpowering emotion. Small wonder it sets the standard for all of the following attempts by other singers who do sing a final verse.
Two more gems are the breezy "Me Deixa Em Paz" (Leave My Alone), tightly arranged and deftly performed faster than the version on Milton's "Clube da Esquina" CD, and the awesome, crystalline beauty of "Dois Pra La, Dois Pra Ca" (Two Steps This Way, Two Steps That Way) with Elis obviously enjoying and joining the wonderful background vocal group. This is Elis at her wonderful best and each song is a winner.
Ella Fitzgerald, a music legend herself, liked Elis' artistry. And Elis' awesomely talented singing daughter, Maria Rita, is influenced mainly by Ella: and so the artistic wheel goes 'round and 'round. If you love Elis and Ella, you'll love the triple Grammy winning CD "Maria Rita".
BTW, "Romaria" and the uptempo "Vou Deitar E Rolar", with the familiar "Quaquaraquaqua" verse, are bonus songs, not found on the original Philips vinyl LP. This CD also overlaps alot with the import "Perfil". Buy and enjoy this wonderful recollection. Five Stars!"