Thanks for writing about this wonderful album. It’s a favourite of mine too. You’ve picked up on much of what I cherish about it: the songcraft, Veloso’s way with words (and it’s lovely to hear him sing in English—as on A Foreign Sound—though, of course, I adore hearing him in Portuguese and Spanish too); the context; the tribute to his sister. And I love the production too; it just sounds great.
I realized that I forgot to mention one of my favorite things about the album. If you look at lyrics online for "A Little More Blue" they match what Caetano Veloso sings; but if you read the lyrics in the liner notes, it includes two additional lines which aren't included in the recording.
I have no idea how that decision was made, but I like to imagine that it is of trusting his artistic and creative choices. They decided it was better to use that recording and that performance than to try to re-record it and add the missing lines and I have to think that was the correct decision. As I said, I don't see how it could be improved (the lines in brackets below are the two that he skips).
I don't have a good sense of how well known the album is. Caetano Veloso is one of the most famous Brazilian musicians, but personally I just stumbled upon him; I wasn't following a recommendation.
I obviously recommend that album quite strongly. When it's reviewed people speak highly of it, but I don't see it mentioned as an all-time classic, and I think it should.
Thanks for reading and if you do listen to it -- even just on YouTube-- let me know what you think.
Thanks for writing about this wonderful album. It’s a favourite of mine too. You’ve picked up on much of what I cherish about it: the songcraft, Veloso’s way with words (and it’s lovely to hear him sing in English—as on A Foreign Sound—though, of course, I adore hearing him in Portuguese and Spanish too); the context; the tribute to his sister. And I love the production too; it just sounds great.
Thank you; I appreciate the kind words.
I realized that I forgot to mention one of my favorite things about the album. If you look at lyrics online for "A Little More Blue" they match what Caetano Veloso sings; but if you read the lyrics in the liner notes, it includes two additional lines which aren't included in the recording.
I have no idea how that decision was made, but I like to imagine that it is of trusting his artistic and creative choices. They decided it was better to use that recording and that performance than to try to re-record it and add the missing lines and I have to think that was the correct decision. As I said, I don't see how it could be improved (the lines in brackets below are the two that he skips).
"One night I saw a Mexican film
These twin brothers tried to kill each other
[But Libertad Lamarque, who was the mother
suddenly appeared between them]
She opened her arms and got two bullets
And died sweetly without a sigh"
Thanks for the kind words & signal boost! I'm not sure I've heard this record, but after reading this, it's clear I need to change that!
I don't have a good sense of how well known the album is. Caetano Veloso is one of the most famous Brazilian musicians, but personally I just stumbled upon him; I wasn't following a recommendation.
I obviously recommend that album quite strongly. When it's reviewed people speak highly of it, but I don't see it mentioned as an all-time classic, and I think it should.
Thanks for reading and if you do listen to it -- even just on YouTube-- let me know what you think.