The first time I heard this music being rendered with the kind of powerhouse deportment through speakers least likely to deliver their beauty and golden braids I was surprised to discover that the lips caressing the gentility and nobility that embraced the lyrics were not those of Elis Regina, but the much younger voice of Vanessa Falabella.
Ms Falabella grew up surrounded by art – and the glory of love – and this shows in the character of the ‘return’ of that love with which she returns the favour – more genteel, fuller in passion and certainly more generously laden with the kind of unconditional love you would expect an artist who cares about the veracity of the tempi of Beijo Partado, and if her interpretation of Trem Azul is spot on… and if Manuel, O Audaz responded to the call…
Ms Falabella’s Goldmine features beautifully crafted arrangements of beguiling variety and sensuousness in line and phrase of guitar against horns. In Ms Falabella’s versions the vocalist tweaks her voice around the edges of her he [Ms Falabella’s] renditions she seductively bends the notes in the notes in both the segments of Clube da Esquinha I and II and how she sculpts the long, sustained inventions absolutely with blinding inventions of Trem Azul, it’s clear that there’s not there’s not a semiquaver has been fastidiously considered.
Featuring the imaginative ablative portative inputs of pianist Agenor de Lorenzi, bassist Du Moeira and drummer Ramon Montagner and saxophones by Marcelo Freitas Ms Falabella’s musicians are completely attuned to her [and Agenor de Lorenzi’s] vision and artistry that they respond almost cinematically and in a powerful gospel-soaked mellifluous timbre beguiles in a spacious arrangement of Nanotes da Será Como Antes. It seems like nothing can ever go wrong.
Even in this low-tech environment of the computer and its limitations one can only imagine what the production values emerge on the full attack of BIG sound same would sound of the mighty sound engineering and mastering. What a pity one wasn’t exposed to the same. Perhaps the next time around a wiser choice will prevail …
Deo Gratis…
Music – 1. Dona Olympia; 2. Bajio Partado; 3. Viola Violar 4. Fazenda; 5. Trem Azul; 6. Clube da Esquina I; 7. Cé de Brasilian; 8. Clube da Esquinha II; 9. Morro Velho; 10. Manuel, O Audaz; 11. Nanotes da Será Como Antes.
Musicians – Vanessa Falabella: vocals; Agenor de Lorenzi: piano, acoustic and electric guitar, and music direction and arrangements; Du Moreira: bass; Ramon Montagner: drums and percussion; Marcelo Freitas: saxophones.
Released: 2025
Label: Independent
Runtime 1:01:06