Music review: Bebel Gilberto – 鈥楾udo鈥�
Bebel Gilberto鈥檚 latest release is a perfect way to set the mood for a cozy, quiet dinner or relaxing on the deck after an especially hectic day.
The Brazilian singer-songwriter鈥檚 first new studio release in five years is an intoxicating collection of light, breezy arrangements eloquently displaying Gilberto鈥檚 soothingly hypnotic sound.
Gilberto, daughter of bossa nova legend Joao Gilberto, sings with a siren鈥檚 allure as her lush vocals effortlessly embrace the graceful arrangements about life, loss and love. 鈥淭udo鈥� was recorded in Brazil, New York City and Los Angeles and is sung in Portuguese, English and French.
鈥淪omewhere Else鈥� opens the album with delicate piano, lush strings and the perky chirps of birds as Gilberto invitingly instructs listeners to close their eyes and think about all the good things around. There is certainly an abundance of good things happening on the remaining 11 tracks that follow.
A sensual duet with Seu Jorge on 鈥淣ovas Ideias鈥� sets a flirtatious tone with the two singers playfully interacting with one another. Gilberto gently handles Antonio Carlos Jobim鈥檚 classic 鈥淰ivo Sonhando鈥� with a sophisticated style and finesse. Speaking of Jobim, I suggest picking up a copy of his 1967 collaboration with Francis Albert Sinatra.
I recently played it while hosting a casual dinner with friends and was quickly reminded of its debonair beauty on tracks like 鈥淭he Girl from Ipanema,鈥� 鈥淨uiet Nights of Quiet Stars鈥� and 鈥淗ow Insensitive.鈥� Sinatra鈥檚 mastery of the Brazil-influenced material is simply breathtaking on this album. For me, the highlight of 鈥淭udo鈥� comes on a cover of 鈥淗arvest Moon.鈥�
This Neil Young track is elevated from its original organic feel to a deeply layered love song. With her latest welcoming set of original numbers and fresh reinterpretations, Gilberto delivers ethereal melodies and intimate, dreamy arrangements surrendered straight from her heart.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.