Brazilian Soul
Almeida, Byrd, Holland, Magnusson
Hi-Res HRM2009
Rejskind: I count exactly one Brazilian in this all-star quartet, namely the legendary guitarist Laurindo Almeida. Still, one could conceivably give Charlie Byrd honorary Brazilian citizenship, considering that, even before Almeida began his American career, Byrd was popularizing Brazilian music around the world: first the samba and then the bossa nova. Or so claims the booklet for this delightful high resolution DVD of the 1980 Concord Jazz recording.
     The soul of this music is the guitar, or two guitars to be precise. Almeida had by then integrated his music into the great streams of American jazz, in various ensembles, including the one that may or may not have been named for him, the LA 4. Here he returns to his roots. Except for discreet percussion by Milt Holland and solid but subtle beat from bassist Bob Magnusson, the two guitarists dominate, and so do the famous rhythms many of us grew up with. The album begins with Ernesto Nazareth's Carioca, and it's hard not to be captivated.
     Most of the pieces are compositions by Brazilian musicians of the first half of the 20th Century, arranged for two guitars by Almeida, with considerable aid from Byrd. Two of the pieces, Naquele Tempo and Cochichando, are by Alfredo Vianna, a flutist Almeida frequently played with in his Rio days. The great Antonio Carlos Jobim is represented with Stone Flower, and Byrd himself contributed For Jeff. Most of the arrangements were done by Almeida.
     Last and least is the show tune Don't Cry For Me Argentina, whose lackluster rendition was possibly a concession to the marketing people. It's always a fine tune, but it sounds oddly out of place in what is a Brazilian-American fusion album.
     But no matter, this is a fine performance by two great musicians. It's been captured in vivid and dynamic sound that benefits from the extra information on this DVD. I'll listen to this anytime.