Bebel Gilberto - Bebel Gilberto
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Free Music Notes for Bebel Gilberto
Free Music Review: Nice, but no 'Tanto Tempo'
Hit: 3 Stars
Bebel Gilerbto's 'BEBEL' is her most English CD. A mix of Brazil-Pop and coffee-time English niceties, this album attempts to attract a wider listening audience rather than enticing her standard listeners. The outcome falls short of appeasing anyone.
With the exception of 'Aganju', the album is a less than spectacular, and a bit dissappointing to her loyal listeners.
Bebel's pretense may have been understandable, but I fear she soon will be overtaken by the growing numbers of Brazilian chateuses who have better range and an unwillingness to covert music to other languages. While I appreciate her willingness to adapt to English songs, she will never be known as an English singer. Something she should appreciate.
Free Music Review: It's... Different.
Hit: 3 Stars
And that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Most people know Bebel Gilberto's rich music history; she had the foundation for a stellar career and IMO she's accomplished it. This is her second cd off of the Ziriguiboom/Crammed label, or "Six Degrees" in the USA - 3rd if you include her remix project. But I believe she has a release from earlier in her career.
The song selection isn't bad and Bebel Gilberto sings in English and Portuguese through-out in an attempt to cross cultures and appeal to a wider audience. The CD begins with the remake to the classic "Baby" and from no fault of her own, it's just a song I never liked and probably could've done without... "Of South America... Of South America... Of South..." okay, I get it. But Simplesmente follows up nicely and "Aganju" picks up the pace a bit. "All Around" is a track that I also like but I think that's mostly because it REALLY reminds me of the old school Roberta Flack track "Where is the Love" for some reason. Some of the other tracks that I dug were "River Song" and I liked "Jabuticaba" because it had a sort of original, innocent feel to it.
The Good: This is a nice album that I'd recommend; it has a mature sound and has quality musicianship that I'm sure many will love. The Bad: To me some of that musicianship seemed held back (same chords over and over again...) and it just isn't as original as "Tanto Tempo". Odd since her entire rendition of "Samba De Bencao" was laid over Amon Tobim's "Nova" on his "Permutation" cd. Can't see myself giving this one a lot of rotation in the player because after a few go-rounds I found the tracks to grow... "repetitive". Yes... that's a nice way of putting it. But I do look forward to the inevitable remix project. If you dig Gilberto's work, don't miss her on Towa Tei's "Future Listening", Kyoto Jazz Massive's "The View From Her Room", soundtrack to "Next Stop Wonderland" and all of the other projects she's done - all of which I'd actually rate above this one.
Oh yeah - if you can get the chance to see her live, definitely do that. I checked her out in 2001 and that show was fantastic and she did a lot of work not on Tanto Tempo, including a classic she did with Cazuza some time ago. 2004, at least in Boston, she only did work on the two albums. It was still a great show with good energy. Before the show begins she has a DJ play loads of Nueva-Bossa Nova tracks and is apparently a huge fan of the Schema label, playing loads of Soulstance, Nicola Conte, etc. and pretty much the entire "Post Modern Bossa" compilation along with a few from the Glucklich series.
Free Music Review: Beach Music
Hit: 4 Stars
We didn't get to review this cd for you during the summer. Our bad...'cause it is perfect beach music. Sorry, we were at the beach. Instead, you will just have to use this to heat up your winter. Bebel's music is a balm. (We said "a balm" not "the bomb". We already exhausted our `hip quota' when we said "Our bad"). Gilberto's honeyed voice, alternately flowing from Portuguese to English, casually rides these gentle melodies and their enchanting arrangements. Marius de Vries, who did such a magnificent job producing Rufus Wainwright's most recent `Want One', employs dramatically more restraint here with similarly brilliant results. The layering of voices, like Enya on `ludes, is an irresistible element, as is the magical blend of instruments-many indigenous to Gilberto's Brazil. Don't be scared off by all the English. There is still enough `oohing', `aahing', and `shush, shush, shush, shushing' to generate a warm summer breeze any time you need one.Free Music Review: A Modern Masterpiece
Hit: 5 Stars
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Bebel Gilberto has drawn on a rich Latin heritage to create a modern masterpiece.
On this, her long awaited second album, she reaches out to us on a very personal and intimate level with a collection of songs that are deliberately down beat, cool, classy and subtle.
Their simple lyrics and rich Latin chords create a mood that is both romantic and hypnotic.
The ambience is part Mendes, part Astrud, part Jobim and part (a large part) Joao.
But the music and the voice is pure Babel.
The first track "Baby" is, perhaps, the standout cut on this very impressive collection.
It's soft rhythms and tender phrasings mark it a classic-in-waiting of the Latin American genre.
Likewise, the second track "Aganju" haunts us with its ghost-like chorus with its hint of Africa that resounds inside our head long after the song has ended.
The entire set has the feel of something fresh and new yet, at the same time, possessing the classic structure of something that will endure.
Those who enjoyed Babel's first outing "Tanto Tempo" of a few years ago will not be disappointed here.
Babel Gilberto (the album) was well worth the wait.
A salute to all involved in this very classy set - FIVE STARS.
Free Music Review: Bebel Rules!!
Hit: 5 Stars
Well, I just saw one of Bebel's shows two nights ago (Portland, OR 9/7/04). As when I saw her two years ago, she completely owned the place. She really has a pressence; after the show I just felt so happy.
Of course her pressence isn't the only thing--we have her beautiful music. I really loved her debut album, and I swear listening to it was a daily habit. I love her modern take on a traditional music genre. She really helped create a new genre all its own.
Now her newest album is noticeably different. Suba (who sadly passed on) does not help out on this album; this may be why the album is more traditional-sounding. Whatever the case, it's a great second album. It took me a few listens, but now IT'S becoming my new daily habit.
Now all I can hope for is not such a long wait for the next album, and Bebel---->come visit the NW again soon!! :)