Search - Mark Gould :: Cafe 1930

Excellently crafted new view of the Brazilian "old".

01/18/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After listening to "Cafe 1930", I couldn't help but feel happy to have finally found a classical/popular music recording which blends aspects of both musical genres seamlessly. Mr. Raimundo Penaforte, the author of all (unless otherwise noted) the musical selections shows in his compositions a mastery not only of several traditional Brazilian musical forms such as samba, bossa nova and baiao, among others, but also of the "classical" European methods of composition and instrumental arranging. The instrumental interpretation put forth by Mr. Mark Gould and company is also excellent. It is indeed refreshing to hear classical musicians playing music with popular stylings in a non-classical and enjoyable manner. Finally I have found a recording in which the rigid interpretative stereotypes of classical training and the more free and inventive popular music don't collide, but work together to make a beautiful artistic statement. Congratulations to the musicians (Mark Gould, Paul Meyers, et al) and the excellent composer (Raimundo Penaforte) for an excellently crafted and beautiful recording!!!"

Not bad, but unbalanced

10/25/1999

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I think this CD would be good were it balanced better. I bought it in the used section of a local music store, and frankly, I'm glad I paid no more than $3 for it. All the musicians who appear on the CD are fine musicians, however, the only one who can be heard with any clarity is Mark Gould, himself. There appears to be little balance between the trumpet and the rest of the instruments, particularly the guitar. I found while listening to this CD that I wanted to find some way to block the trumpet out even for just a MINUTE so that I'd be able to really listen to the other musicians. It's a shame, because I bought the CD because it featured Ricardo Cobo, one of the most acclaimed of the young classical guitarists in the world, and was hoping to hear his artistry outside of the classical genre. I was extremely disappointed that the CD was not better balanced and I could hear little of Ricardo Cobo OR Paul Meyers. I would not recommend this CD to someone who is looking for a balanced recording."