5 Stars and More
William Ahlberg | MN USA | 12/17/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I travelled in Brasil in the winter and early spring of 2006,and attended a percussion band performance while in Salvador, Brasil. The band was comprised of primarily drums and more drums, some vocal, brass, and was very, very loud. I was overwhelmed by the loudness, and frankly, unimpressed by the group performing, namely "Olodum" pronounced "Oh-low-DUNE" [Portuguese]. Upon leaving the performance, I purchased "Olodum Pela Vida" and carried it with me in my duffel bag for another month while travelling up the Atlantic coast of Brasil, up the Amazon to Manaus, and into Venezuela to Angel Falls & ending in Caracas. Upon my return home I unwrapped the CD and inserted it in my desk top Sony - well, what I heard was FIRST CLASS. I give Pela Vida 5 stars plus. I keep the CD in CD player of my bmw continuously so that I have near to memorized all of the selections. Some of the songs remind me of Carnaval that I attended in Manaus on 2 nights, and bring back wonderful memories. "Carnaboi" which was Carnaval in Manaus held at a huge soccer stadium with a band at each end and dancers on raised platforms -I recall at least 4 platforms located at quadrants of the field - who performed while the crowd participated in the dancing. "Pela Vida" triggers all of those memories. Olodum's performance on this CD is EXTRAORDINARY. In my opinion one of the absolute BEST CDs that I own.
I do not have a single reservation in recommending this CD to anyone who might have even a tiny interest in the music of Brasil or broader yet, music of Latin America. When Carnaval comes around in 2007 I will want to be in Salvador to hopefully find Olodum performing and yes, I will be there!
I am fond of music of the Andes, the pan flute, and have collected many CDs from Ecuador, Bolivia, & Peru. "Pela Vida" adds a whole new dimension entirely different than anything in my collection.
Lastly, a departing comment: buy it, you will not be disappointed!"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1