PAULO BELLINATI — Lira Brasileira (review)

PAULO BELLINATI — Lira Brasileira album cover Album · 2008 · Third Stream Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Oneiromante
Of all albums by Paulo Bellinati, this is arguably the least jazzy. All songs here were written and performed by himself - which implies there is not even one of his superb interpretations of Antonio Carlos "Tom" Jobim, Baden Powell or João Gilberto. That might drive foreign listeners looking for a more familiar Brazilian sound - that is, Bossa Nova.

Which brings to my point: Brazil is not only about Bossa Nova. Each song of "Lira Brasileira" is a typical rhytm from the country, and might be thought as a picture of the sheer richness of Brazilian music.

Mr. Bellinati used to be, hands down, one of the best guitarists of Brazil, until his right hand was injured ( nowadays he can only play with a pick), a condition afforded by his extensive classical training. I am always impressed by his technique, which is displayed masterfully throughout the album, such as on "Chuva e Mar" ("Rain and Sea"): the arpeggios resemble the raindrops falling over the sea and the crashing of waves AT THE SAME TIME.

I must also praise his writting skills: most of the songs are wonderful, although I'm not so fond of "Alvoroço" and "Dama-da-Noite". He manages to mimic the typical instruments of maracatu on "Embaixador" - my personal favourite -, like an agogô (listen to the song here and google "agogô" - you'll see what I mean). I would also like to highlight "Cordão de Ouro" - a clear nod to Baden Powell's "Berimbau" -, "Chuva e Mar", which I mentioned above and is just gorgeous, and "Emboscada", a sample of the upbeat and even sort of funky xaxado.

As much as I'd like to write about all songs, I believe I've taken too long on this review and that my words wouldn't be enough to describe the songs very well. I hope my review, along with the samples here, convince you to buy and listen "Lira Brasileira".
Share this review

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

John Butcher, Hannah Marshall, Mark Sanders, Steve Beresford : elusive Jazz Related Improv/Composition
JOHN BUTCHER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Africa '80 RnB
THE STAPLE SINGERS / THE STAPLES
Buy this album from MMA partners
Feelin' Good RnB
NILS
Buy this album from MMA partners
Lovabye Post Bop
GREGORY GROOVER JR
Buy this album from MMA partners
Frank Gratkowski's Entrainment Avant-Garde Jazz
FRANK GRATKOWSKI
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Omnivore presens The Staple Singers Africa 80
THE STAPLE SINGERS / THE STAPLES
js· 76 minutes ago
That's The Way Of The World
NILS
js· 6 hours ago
Gregory Groover Jr - Lovabye (2024)
GREGORY GROOVER JR
js· 7 hours ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us