Brazilian Duos

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The lovely Brazilian vocalist Luciana Souza is the daughter of songwriters Walter Santos and Teresa Souza. She's best known to American jazz lovers through her thrilling work with pianist Danilo Perez and for her critically acclaimed recording The Poems of Elizabeth Bishop and Other Songs. On this CD, Souza's fluid and floral vocals, which swing on every Portuguese-language phrase, are backed by three alternating Brazil-born guitarists--Romero Lubambo, her father, and Marco Pereira on eight-string guitar--performing compositions by Luis Gonzaga, Edú Lobo, Jacó do Banbolim, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Souza's parents. The combination of the plaintive and percussive guitar playing and Souza's sinewy voice is hard to beat. From the peppery "Baião Medley" and the bossa-nova-like "Doce de Coco" to the Afro syncopations of "Saudade da Bahia," Luciana Souza shows that when it comes to Brazilian music, less is more. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Album Description
2001 album from the summery, sophisticated Brazilian jazz vocalist and Grammy Nominee. Digipak. Sunnyside Music.

Tracks:

Sai Dessa
Nos Horizontes Do Mundo
A Flor E O Espinho/Juizo Final
Muita Bobeira
Modinha
No Carnaval/Vento
Sambadalu (Para Luciana Souza)
Aparecida
Trocando Em Miudos
Chorinho Pra Ele
Atras Da Porta
Voce

Amazon.com

Over the course of six albums filled with her beautiful voice and thoughtful interpretations, singer Luciana Souza has landed two Grammy nominations and grabbed the attention of knowledgeable jazz and Brazilian music fans. Here she follows up her breakthrough album Duos with a second installment, this time again in intimate duo settings with different guitarists. Souza dwells in her voice's mid-range, seldom going particularly high or low, yet her inflections are as rich as a well-aged cabernet wine. While these nuances take a little time to pick up, Souza's technical facility is easily recognizable and impressive - her lightning fast scat on the new choro "Sambadalu (Para Luciana Souza)" is dazzling; her timing on the ballad "Modinha" is impeccable. Generally regarded a jazz singer because of her chops, Souza is really "beyond category" (to use an old Duke Ellington quote) for bringing Brazilian folk idioms into the jazz genre, and she doesn't do it any better than on Duos II. --Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews:

Mesmerizing!.......2007-05-29

This is such a beautiful work; it has the power to open and heal the soul. It is drawn from a deep tradition yet feels so fresh, a new exploration. Luciana sings straight from the heart so directly, so honestly, nothing is wasted; her interplay with the varied guitarists is so intimate, playful, and deep. Their contribution of course is equally astounding. Luciana incorporates her vocal jazz improvisation tastefully, elegantly, with no excess, and gives you just enough to satisfy. I must admit I preferred Duos II considerably to her first Duos disc, though there are equally beautiful places on that recording, but as a whole, this offering feels deeper, more whole and complete...Thank you Luciana and friends!

Nice .......2007-05-05

I prefer Rosa Passos. Luciana's voice has an uneven tone throughout most of this collection. She has a nice ability to do brief scats, but to my ear they do not add much musically, sounding more like technical agility than musical expression. Somehow the album lacks soulfulness.

Catch Luciana at the Ojai Music Festival this June 2006.......2006-03-21

I don't understand a Word of Portuguese but can listen to this recording over and again. L Souza is an extremely gifted artist who has yet to be more widely recognized in the US.

A wonderful cd.......2005-06-08

This is a lovely collection by Luciana Souza. To me she is like Monica Salmaso, a curator of wonderful songs. Every song is elegantly presented and the liner notes are helpful in conveying the meaning to those of us who are linguistically challenged. Luciana Souza's intelligence and the beauty of her work is the antidote to the "American Idol" style of singing that sells so well, but means so little. It is music for grown-ups.

It Does Not Disappoint.......2005-06-03

"Neruda" was one of the most creative and interesting albums released in 2004. Among other questions, it raised this one: What can Luciana Souza possibly do for an encore?

The same question was raised in 1969 by The Who's "Tommy", the first popular "rock opera." That encore, of course, consisted of the Who going back to its roots with one of the greatest rock albums ever recorded, "Who's Next." And, in the same way, Luciana Souza has gone back to her roots with this, her second album of Brazilian duets with various Brazilian guitarists. And like "Who's Next", this one does not disappoint.

This album is recorded with Ms. Souza (sans percussion, voice only) and four guitarists: Romero Lubambo, Marco Pereira, Swami, Jr. (yep, that's his name, fellow Americans) and Guilherme Monteiro. Every cut sounds heavenly. This album will remind you of Laurindo Almeida and Astrud Gilberto, only it's better--basically because Ms. Souza is a far superior singer, IMO.

Special note to four tracks. "Trocando en Mudos" has that same sense of longing and desire that permeated the "Neruda" disc. But lest you think Ms. Souza only does "moody", listen to how she clips along with the guitarists on "Sambadalu (para Luciana Souza)" and "Chorino Pra Ele." (In fact, a great vocal exercise for a vocal jazz ensemble would be to have all of the singers double and try to keep up with Ms. Souza on the latter!)

And then there's the last track, "Voce." Rather than acoustic, Mr. Monteiro swithces to electric guitar and, with the pedals, creates this vast, open sound similar to creations of Bill Frisell or Ben Monder. The vocalization with it is tremendous. A terrific end to a terrific album. Highly recommended. RC

Average customer rating:

Luciana Souza Soars
Underwhelming
Nuclear Bosa Nova
Smooth bossa
Oh My God!

Brazilian Duos
Luciana Souza
Manufacturer: Sunny Side
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Brazilian Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Duos II
Neruda
Norte E Sul (North And South)
The Poems of Elizabeth Bishop and Other Songs
Amorosa

ASIN: B00005NTQG
Release Date: 2002-05-14

Tracks:

Baiao Medley
Suas Maos
Pra Que Discutir com Madame
Pa Dizer Adeus
Amanha
Eu Nao Existo Sem Voce
Doce de Coco
As Praias Desertas
Docemente
O Bolo
Viver de Amor
Saudade da Bahia

Amazon.com

The lovely Brazilian vocalist Luciana Souza is the daughter of songwriters Walter Santos and Teresa Souza. She's best known to American jazz lovers through her thrilling work with pianist Danilo Perez and for her critically acclaimed recording The Poems of Elizabeth Bishop and Other Songs. On this CD, Souza's fluid and floral vocals, which swing on every Portuguese-language phrase, are backed by three alternating Brazil-born guitarists--Romero Lubambo, her father, and Marco Pereira on eight-string guitar--performing compositions by Luis Gonzaga, Edú Lobo, Jacó do Banbolim, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Souza's parents. The combination of the plaintive and percussive guitar playing and Souza's sinewy voice is hard to beat. From the peppery "Baião Medley" and the bossa-nova-like "Doce de Coco" to the Afro syncopations of "Saudade da Bahia," Luciana Souza shows that when it comes to Brazilian music, less is more. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Album Description

2001 album from the summery, sophisticated Brazilian jazz vocalist and Grammy Nominee. Digipak. Sunnyside Music.

Customer Reviews:

Luciana Souza Soars.......2007-01-17

What a voice! What great guitar accompaniment. The combination of voice and guitar cannot be any better than when you place her voice in harmony with either of the guitarists who back her up on this album. Superb to put it lightly

Underwhelming.......2005-12-22

I don't even remember why Brazilian Duos was recommended to me here on amazon. Perhaps it is because I enjoy Bonfa, Deodato, Gilberto, Gismonti, Nogueira and some other Brazilian musicians that amazon's computer decided I would probably like this as well. I don't.
I bought this several years ago and listened three or four times before deciding to shelve it. Then recently, I listened again hoping to find something I missed. I didn't. It remains underwhelming. There is nothing special in her voice, in the music, or in the arrangements. Despite that I am more than willing to try something new, I just can't find anything on this CD that inspires me. I'm not saying its bad music, I'd rather listen to this than a lot of other music that's out there. All I am saying is that it doesn't speak to me!
Perhaps there are other Luciana Souza albums that I would like more, but after my experience with Brazilian Duos, I would have to hear them before buying.

Nuclear Bosa Nova.......2004-01-26

Ms. Souza sings with a great deal of panache.
She has amazing technique and style. She can be
percussive or lyrical which ever is needed. She
has a wide color palette from which to choose and
her choices are always musical. In short, she is
a fantastic musician. The song selection is super
and the guitarists are dynamite.

Smooth bossa.......2003-10-30

This album seems to aim for a smooth jazz audience. Better, for a smooth bossa audience. But Souza is no charming Astrud Gilberto, sorry. The arrangements are so poor...One of the guitarists (Romero Lubambo) sounds nice, but Mr. Walter Santos is not in good shape, and a third one has no swing. People interested in first-class vocal/guitar duos by Brazilian artists should look for the Eliezeth Cardoso/Raphael Rabello, and Paulo Belinatti/Monica Salsamaso collaborations.

Oh My God!.......2003-01-03

this is one awesome CD! I can't get over the guitar playing, while her voice and presence are simply superb... amazing indeed!

Average customer rating:

Duos

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000PUB2IY
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Average customer rating:

Duos II
Luciana Souza
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Brazilian Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000BP17AG
Release Date: 2006-04-10

Tracks:

Sai Dessa - Romero Lubambo, Luciana Souza
Nos Horizontes Do Mundo - Luciana Souza,
Flor E O Espinho/Ju Final - Luciana Souza,
Muita Bobeira - Romero Lubambo, Luciana Souza
Modinha - Marco Pereira, Luciana Souza
No Carnaval/Vento - Guilherme Monteiro, Luciana Souza
Sambadalra Luciana Souza) - Marco Pereira, Luciana Souza
Aparecida - Romero Lubambo, Luciana Souza
Trocando Em Mi- Romero Lubambo, Luciana Souza
Chorinho Prle - Romero Lubambo, Luciana Souza
Atrda Porta - Marco Pereira, Luciana Souza
Voc Guilherme Monteiro, Luciana Souza

Average customer rating:

Brazilian Duos

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00070FWR4
Release Date: 2002-05-14

Music:

Music

Music