Search - Marisa Monte :: Great Noise

Another Masterpiece

exan | Brazil | 12/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I cannot praise enough this album. Marisa is my favourite contemporary singer and this album shows it. But on that you can trust the other reviews. I'd like to explain about the cover and artwork (I don't know the north-american version, but the brazilian booklet and cd covers are completely illustrated - in the same way the cover is). Marisa has chosen to portray the work of an undergound "artist", Carlos Zéfiro, who used to write and draw many pornographic comics during the 50's, that were all, obviously, illegal. So he preffered to stay anonymous (C. Zéfiro is a nick he created) until some 5 years ago when he revealed himself only to die a few months later. The joke is, although he had to hide his identity and his work, as the years passed, his porn material became almost light and many people admitted having read them during teenage, so he attained cult status. Now go buy Marisa Monte cd's! They're all worth it."

The best of the best

John C. Mariz | Dulles, VA United States | 07/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As anyone will quickly see from scanning the amazon reviews of her albums, Marisa has a fanatical following, and deservedly so. She is one of the all-time great Brazilian artists, in the pantheon with Jobim and Gal Costa. This album is important for a couple of reasons. The live songs are distinct from their studio versions and in some cases better. "Xote das Meninas" is the best case in point. On her debut album, still unsure of her artistic identity, Marisa gave this song an odd, jazz-inflected treatment that simply doesn't work. Here, it gets a straight ahead "roots" treatment and the result is fantastic. Indeed, what this record does is illustrate Marisa's singular contribution to Brazian populair music (MPB); the sublime marriage of traditional north-eastern folk music to a pop sensibility. Danca da solidao is another example , a beautiful, modern rendition of a Paulinho de Viola standard. This album also benefits from a high end stereo system -- the production on both the studio and live discs is impecable. The concert recording is the best live production I have ever heard. For those wanting an introduction to Marisa, start here, though you'll buy all the other albums in the end."

Actually... a great album

David Land | Rockville, MD United States | 04/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You'd think that it wouldn't be - half studio/half live albums tend to be products of tired-out artists forced by their contracts to release an album they aren't inspired to make. Well, whatever brought "A Great Noise" to us, let's just be thankfull for it. Both the studio and live work are excellent, though I should comment that having seen Marisa twice live, she can put on quite a show and this is reflected in the recordings heard here. Something no one has mentioned so far is the Vinicius/Toquinho song "Chuva no Brejo" which for me is a real stand-out on this album. I'm a big fan of theirs too, and have not come across their version of it (if there even is a recorded one!) but it's a great song. MM gives special attention to the Tropicalia movement on this album, with a funky version of "Cerebro Eletronico" and then this fantastic live version of Mutantes' "Panis et Circenses" both of which are every bit as good as the original masterpieces. These are the highlights for me, but really I like the whole album, except for "Give Me Love" which I find to be uninspired and, frankly, boring. I do not like it when MM sings in English - don't know why because other Brazilians like Elis Regina do it very well. So, while this album is arranged kind of awkwardly, it's definitely a must-buy.Oh, and as to the "pornographic" booklet accompanying the album - get over it, it's called art. It isn't like it's Hustler or anything.... I'm more offended that someone would get upset and consider it as a strike against the album.P.S. (5/28/02)
After having listened to this album again and again, I have decided that I really like "Give Me Love/It Ain't Over Til It's Over" - so I take back my earlier criticism of a rendition that is fresh and innovative! It's amazing that the more I listen to MM, the more appreciation I have for her work. Currently my favorite song from her is "Magalamabares" which I didn't think deserved a mention in my earlier review of this album!"