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Milton Nascimento shines in 1988 Verve release
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Cover art of Nascimento's 1988 Verve release.
Although Brazilian music has never really burned mainstream charts, there’s a significant loyal fan base across Latin America that has followed its rich and varied rhythms since they hit radio airwaves outside Brazil.
Thus, this week’s pick, “A Arte de Milton Nascimento,” a 1988 release on Verve that compiles 20 of the most vivid and soulful interpretations by the gifted Brazilian singer-songwriter and guitarist, is for all of those out there who enjoy the easy-listening and flavorful sounds of Brazil, from pop and soft rock to samsa to bossa nova.
Nascimento’s outing is a musical gem not because it burned international charts, but because it is a genuine, inspiring work by a genuine artist. Essentially, its musical value does not rely on marketing strategy but on word-of-mouth.
And this album’s musical value was strengthened by powerful collaborations with some of Brazil’s most accomplished musicians.
Besides featuring excellent studio and live performances by Nascimento, ranging from 1980-83, this set also boasts interpretations by an all-star cast of Nascimento’s contemporaries, including Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, Gal Costa, Boca Livré and Roupa Nova.
It starts off with the smooth hit single co-authored by Fernando Brant, “Nos bailes da vida,” followed by “Certas cancoes” and “Coracao civil.”
It then goes on with other great tunes such as “Cancao de America,” “Teia de renda,” “As varias pontas de uma estrela” and a live version of Brant’s “Solar,” with the collaboration of Costa.
Among its highlights are Nascimento’s live versions of “Coracao de estudiante,” “ A noite do meu bem” and “Cuitelinho,” a poem by Paulo Vazoline.
Generally, the mood of the entire album is not one to make you dance, for it does not contain upbeat arrangements or sizzling danceable rhythms. Instead, it is an album to sit down and relax while you cook dinner or simply hang out in your living room.
To clearly understand Nascimento’s music and how he got to be the star he is today, one has to look back into his beginnings in the music world.
When the wave of Brazilian sounds splashed triumphantly onto North American shores in the early 1960s, Nascimento was still a teenager, but one with big dreams.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Nascimento was brought up by adoptive parents in the small town of Tres Pontas in the state of Minas gerais, where he learned to play the guitar and compose tunes at an early age.
At 19, he then moved to the state capital Belo Horizonte, singing whenever and wherever he could. He got his big break in 1966, when the late legendary Brazilian pop singer Elis Regina recorded his tune “ Cancao do sal,” gaining him wider exposure in both the Brazilian music scene and abroad.
Since then, Nascimento has released over 30 solo albums and has collaborated with James Taylor, Peter Gabriel, Herbie Hancock and Paul Simon, among others.
Today, the Grammy-winning Nascimento is an international singing star with a reputation as an ingenious composer and powerful vocalist.
His sound goes beyond rootsy Brazilian rhythms — which he’s strongly attached to — jazz and pop. Over the years, Nascimento has concocted a bittersweet sound punctuated by undercurrents of numerous different cultures.
His influences range from The Beatles and Edith Piaf to Michael Legrand.
All in all, “A Arte de Milton Nascimento” is a musical artwork for the serious Brazilian music lover. Enjoy.
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