398. Vento de Maio

Vento de Maio
Elis Regina
1978

Tracks
1. Vento De Maio 
2. Sai Dessa 
3. Tiro Ao Alvaro
4. So Deus E Quem Sabe 
5. O Que Foi Feito Devera 
6. Nova Estacao
7. Saudade Eterna
8. Outro Cais 
9. Rebento
10. O Trem Azul
11. O Medo De Amar E O Medo De Ser Livre
12. Se Eu Quiser Falar Com Deus 
13. Aprendendo a Jogar 

I managed to squeeze this album in today while reading Dostoyevsky's The Devils.  I was originally going to watch a movie, but I can't find the next one on my blog anywhere.  The List life is a struggle.  Anyway, let's get going with my second choice.

This is a Brazilian album and I am afraid I keep procrastinating learning Portuguese. I didn't even the slightest idea what any of these songs were about.  Frequent readers may have learned that lyrics are my main attraction to music.  I was very confused what I was listening to.  I think this is a compilation album, but there seem to be conflicting reports about when it was released.  Some sources say that it came out in the 80s but obviously, the Book is saying 1978.  So wait...what's happening?

Is it possible for me to like an album that isn't English?  I think so, as I remember taking to Miriam Makeba quite a bit.  This one just didn't do it for me.  I liked her voice, but I felt like I was listening to the same song over and over again (this is most likely because of the language).  

I can't really fault the album for my lack of enjoyment, since it is just a culture clash.  But I doubt this one will remain in my memory for long.

RATING: 2/5

253. Clube Da Esquina

Clube Da Esquina
Milton Nascimento and Lo Borges
1972

Tracks
1. Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser
2. Cais 
3. O Trem Azul
4. Saidas E Bandeiras 
5. Nuvem Cigana 
6. Cravo E Canela 
7. Dos Cruces 
8. Um Girassol Da Cor De Seu Cabelo
9. San Vincente 
10. Estrelas 
11. Clube Da Esquina No 2 
12. Paisagem Da Janela
13. Me Deixe Em Pas
14. Os Povos 
15. Saidas E Bandeiras (2) 
16. Um Gosto De Sol 
17. Pelo Amor De Deus 
18. Lilia 
19. Trem De Doido
20. Nada Sera Como Antes
21. Ao Que Vai Nascer


More international music which is always a treat; we are exposed to it so little.  There are a lot of musical languages out there and I hardly think English tops the list.  This time it is Portuguese!


I cannot speak a word of Portuguese.  In fact, I don't think I have ever even heard someone speaking Portuguese, except of course, in this journey.  Maybe I just need to get out more!  Anyway, the language is already beautiful but setting it to music is like a poetic explosion.  Of course, I can't understand the lyrics but from what I looked up, the lyrics are just as beautiful as the music.


The book says that this band was heavily influenced by the Beatles and it is clearly seen throughout this album that their main source of inspiration was Sgt. Pepper.  Check it out; this is certainly another treasure I wouldn't have experienced without the list.


RATING: 5/5

129. Caetano Veloso

Caetano Veloso
Caetano Veloso
1968

Tracks
1. Tropicália
2. Clarice
3. No Dia Em Que Eu Vim-me Embora
4. Alegria, Alegria
5. Onde Andarás
6. Anunciação
7. Superbacana
8. Paisagem Util
9. Clara
10. Soy Loco Por Tí, América
11. Ave Maria
12. Eles


Amanda: Disclaimer: I speak zero Portuguese or Spanish.  I felt a bit idiotic getting really into an album when I had no idea what was being said.  Still, I really enjoyed this album.  It was fun and new; I have never heard anything like it before.  This guy got banished from Brazil by the dictator and moved to London.  In other words, he is a major bad ass.  Track 10 is really the best of the album but, of course, there is not a bad song listed.  Good, different, and unsurpassed.

RATING: 4/5

112. Os Mutantes

Os Mutantes
Os Mutantes
1968

Tracks
1. Panis Et Circensis
2. A Minha Menina
3. O Relogio
4. Adeus Maria Fulo
5. Baby
6. Senhor F
7. Bat Macumba
8. Le Premier Bonheur Du Jour
9. Trem Fantasma
10. Tempo Perdido (Once Was A Time I Thought)
11. Ave Genghis Khan


Amanda: The relatives are trickling in from all sides so I am squeezing this album in between activities.  I have already eaten too much, ignored all my work, and gotten in one or two tiffs.  I can't get over how cliche I am...


This is a Brazilian album that is completely in Portuguese.  This makes it a little tough to listen to because I have absolutely no idea what they are saying.  I think poetic lyrics are what really makes me love music so this was a little disappointing (my whining really has no merit; I could just look up the lyrics).  I listen to a lot of French songs (I am particularly obsessed with "Prince Charmant" at the moment) but at least I can understand a few bits and pieces.  Other than my obvious American ethnocentrism, it is a really enjoyable album.  These guys don't take them selves too seriously and they just want to have fun.


RATING: 4/5

76. Beach Samba

Beach Samba
Astrud Gilberto
1967!!!!!!

Tracks
1. Stay
2. Misty Roses
3. Face I Love
4. Banda
5. Oba, Oba
6. Canoeiro
7. I Had the Craziest Dream
8. Bossa Na Praia
9. My Foolish Heart
10. Dia das Rosas
11. You Didn't Have to Be So Nice
12. Não Bate O Coração

Amanda: I just read a review of this album from a guy I really respect and he completely trashed it.  He also said that it was lounge music for the braindead.  This kind of sucks, because I was going to say it was nice lounge music.  Wait...

Well, whatever, I liked it.  I cannot speak Portugese so in some of the songs she could have being saying anything she wanted.  I found her voice very soothing and the duet was adorable.  I really liked the track "Dia das Rosas" (which I think means I Think of You).  I mean, I would lose instantly in an argument against the actual merit of this album (just like I lose my Dan Brown arguments) but make it your guilty pleasure album!

RATING:

Brie: I for one thought Beach Samba was kind of mediocre. It was 'hotel lobby' music.There were some highlights, such as "Stay" and "Dia das Rosas". Astrud Gilberto has such a beautiful voice. I do not know why this album of hers was chosen to be in our book, because she made much better music. I find it hard to listen to music in languages which I do not understand, so that might have contributed to my not liking this album.

Observation: Every Portugese/Brazilian album in our 1001 Albums book got really bad reviews from people who speak Portugese.

RATING: