Um Barzinho, Um Violão 1 & 2

The O Som do Barzinho CDs by Renato Vargas turned out to be a wonderful success. That success is still going on with follow-up CD's, which apparently alerted Universal to do something like-wise with better known singers: Um Barzinho, Um Violão.

A first listen to the CD's leaves a feeling of disappointment, mainly because of the audience. Sometimes the audience seems to remind you of happy school girls, with those nasty high screaming voices cheering between songs and when recognizing Ivete Sangalo. That makes you grab the remote to mute the sound for a few moments. One would wish for studio recordings. During the better parts of the CD's, they're quiet though... Although the concept is cheap, it's still fun. Singers seemed not allowed to sing their own work. Even Paula Toller sings a song written by another female songwriter (Marina Lima), which is surprising on its own! I could have done without the presence of Ivete Sangalo, who lacks a "voz e violão" voice. And I'm not a fan of Sandra de Sá, either. But that's personal. The two CD's have common artists and a few only appearing on one song. The album's title "Um Barzinho, Um Violão" seems well chosen: the guitarists are a big part of the delight. Chico César sings the wonderful "Filme Triste" in his very own wonderful way. And on CD 2, it's the Paula Toller/Leoni composition "Como Eu Quero" he blows new life into. Always good to hear him. Like it's always good to hear João Bosco (fantastic rendition of "Caminhos Cruzados" and "A Paz"). Ed Motta is the other one accompanying himself on guitar (Rita Lee's "Caso Sério" and Tim Maia's "Azul da Cor do Mar"). Among the highlights is Paula Toller with her two Kid Abelha friends on guitar (Bruno Fortunato and George Israel), singing Gilberto Gil's "Nos Barracos da Cidade" and a wonderful sung "Virgem" (composed by Marina Lima). Simone is sounding beautiful as always. But you could place a huge question mark regarding the choice of her song. Accompanied by Toquinho she sings... "Garota de Ipanema." The other song "Samba de Orly", proves how great these two sound together! Toquinho, doing his own thing, is featured on wonderful renditions of his and Jorge Ben's "Que Maravilha" and a Jobim medley "Este Seu Olhar - Corcovado - Se Todos Fossem Iguais a Você." Leila Pinheiro has Roberto Menescal on guitar singing the beautiful Paula Toller/Herbert Vianna composition "Nada Por Mim" and Djavan's "Oceano." A nice surprise is Bruno Gouveia, singer from the band called Biquini Cavadão. "Sobradinho" (Sá - Rodrix) sounds great, accompanied by two guitarists; and Zdanovski's "Coleção", accompanied only by Carlos Coelho. Tough guy Humberto Gessinger (Engenheiros do Hawaii) even sounds good on "Revelação" (Clésio - Clodô), with him and Paulo Galvão on guitar. It's the different guitarists that make everything sound nice on these CD's. This is a good example. Carla Cristina (As Meninas) is accompanied by Carlinhos 7 Cordas. Luciana Mello sings "As Rosas Não Falam" (Cartola) and Djavan's "Boa Noite," accompanied by Paulo Daflin. Oswaldo Montenegro (with Roberto Menescal) sounds familiar on Zé Ramalho's "Chão de Giz" and Belchior's "A Palo Seco." Delightful!! It's good to hear all these nice singers in a "voz e violão" setting. Not really an important document, but a pleasure to listen to. With a special "thanks" to the work of the wonderful guitarists. The booklets have all the chord settings as a bonus. Just like in the "Som do Barzinho" series... recorded live at the Espaço Universal, October 8 & 9, 2001.

Kees Schoof

Various Um Barzinho, Um Violão 1 & 2 Universal 0440016610 2 (2001) & 0440016650 2 (2002) Time: 48'37" & 46'56"

The O Som do Barzinho CDs by Renato Vargas turned out to be a wonderful success. That success is still going on with follow-up CD's, which apparently alerted Universal to do something like-wise with better known singers: Um Barzinho, Um Violão. A first listen to the CD's leaves a feeling of disappointment, mainly because of the audience. Sometimes the audience seems to remind you of happy school girls, with those nasty high screaming voices cheering between songs and when recognizing Ivete Sangalo. That makes you grab the remote to mute the sound for a few moments. One would wish for studio recordings. During the better parts of the CD's, they're quiet though... Although the concept is cheap, it's still fun. Singers seemed not allowed to sing their own work. Even Paula Toller sings a song written by another female songwriter (Marina Lima), which is surprising on its own! I could have done without the presence of Ivete Sangalo, who lacks a "voz e violão" voice. And I'm not a fan of Sandra de Sá, either. But that's personal. The two CD's have common artists and a few only appearing on one song. The album's title "Um Barzinho, Um Violão" seems well chosen: the guitarists are a big part of the delight. Chico César sings the wonderful "Filme Triste" in his very own wonderful way. And on CD 2, it's the Paula Toller/Leoni composition "Como Eu Quero" he blows new life into. Always good to hear him. Like it's always good to hear João Bosco (fantastic rendition of "Caminhos Cruzados" and "A Paz"). Ed Motta is the other one accompanying himself on guitar (Rita Lee's "Caso Sério" and Tim Maia's "Azul da Cor do Mar"). Among the highlights is Paula Toller with her two Kid Abelha friends on guitar (Bruno Fortunato and George Israel), singing Gilberto Gil's "Nos Barracos da Cidade" and a wonderful sung "Virgem" (composed by Marina Lima). Simone is sounding beautiful as always. But you could place a huge question mark regarding the choice of her song. Accompanied by Toquinho she sings... "Garota de Ipanema." The other song "Samba de Orly", proves how great these two sound together! Toquinho, doing his own thing, is featured on wonderful renditions of his and Jorge Ben's "Que Maravilha" and a Jobim medley "Este Seu Olhar - Corcovado - Se Todos Fossem Iguais a Você." Leila Pinheiro has Roberto Menescal on guitar singing the beautiful Paula Toller/Herbert Vianna composition "Nada Por Mim" and Djavan's "Oceano." A nice surprise is Bruno Gouveia, singer from the band called Biquini Cavadão. "Sobradinho" (Sá - Rodrix) sounds great, accompanied by two guitarists; and Zdanovski's "Coleção", accompanied only by Carlos Coelho. Tough guy Humberto Gessinger (Engenheiros do Hawaii) even sounds good on "Revelação" (Clésio - Clodô), with him and Paulo Galvão on guitar. It's the different guitarists that make everything sound nice on these CD's. This is a good example. Carla Cristina (As Meninas) is accompanied by Carlinhos 7 Cordas. Luciana Mello sings "As Rosas Não Falam" (Cartola) and Djavan's "Boa Noite," accompanied by Paulo Daflin. Oswaldo Montenegro (with Roberto Menescal) sounds familiar on Zé Ramalho's "Chão de Giz" and Belchior's "A Palo Seco." Delightful!! It's good to hear all these nice singers in a "voz e violão" setting. Not really an important document, but a pleasure to listen to. With a special "thanks" to the work of the wonderful guitarists. The booklets have all the chord settings as a bonus. Just like in the "Som do Barzinho" series... recorded live at the Espaço Universal, October 8 & 9, 2001. Kees Schoof
Track listing
Volume 1 Fullgás (Antonio Cícero - Marina Lima) performed by Ivete Sangalo and Rudney Monteiro Filme Triste (D. Laudermilk - Vrs. Romeu Nunes) performed by Chico César Sobradinho (Sá - Zé Rodrix) performed by Bruno Gouveia and Álvaro Birita - Carlos Coelho Samba de Orly (Vinícius de Moraes - Chico Buarque - Toquinho) performed by Simone and Toquinho Nos Barracos da Cidade (Liminha - Gilberto Gil) performed by Paula Toller and Bruno Fortunato - George Israel As Rosas Não Falam (Cartola) performed by Luciana Mello and Paulo Daflin Oceano (Djavan) performed by Leila Pinheiro and Roberto Menescal Azul da Cor do Mar (Tim Maia) performed by Ed Motta Revelação (Clésio - Clodô) performed by Humberto Gessinger and Paulo Galvão Caminhos Cruzados (Newton Mendonça - Tom Jobim) performed by João Bosco O Bêbado e a Equilibrista (João Bosco - Aldir Blanc) performed by Carla Cristina and Carlinhos 7 Cordas Chão de Giz (Zé Ramalho) performed by Oswaldo Montenegro and Roberto Menescal Que Maravilha (Jorge Ben - Toquinho) performed by Toquinho Não Chores Mais (V. Ford - Vrs. Gilberto Gil) performed by Sandra de Sá and Cláudio Costa Volume 2 Saigon (Claudio Cartier - Carlão - Paulo Feital) performed by Sandra de Sá and Cláudio Costa Me Liga (Herbert Vianna) performed by Ivete Sangalo and Rudney Monteiro Garota de Ipanema (Vinícius de Moraes - Tom Jobim) performed by Simone and Toquinho Nada Por Mim (Paula Toller - Herbert Vianna) performed by Leila Pinheiro and Roberto Menescal Virgem (Antonio Cícero - Marina Lima) performed by Paula Toller and Bruno Fortunato - George Israel) Boa Noite (Djavan) performed by Luciana Mello and Paulo Daflin Coleção (Cassiano - Paulo Zdanovski) performed by Bruno Gouveia and Carlos Coelho Como Eu Quero (Leoni - Paula Toller) performed by Chico César Caso Sério (Roberto de Carvalho - Rita Lee) performed by Ed Motta Charme do Mundo (Antonio Cícero - Marina Lima) performed by Carla Cristina and Carlinhos 7 Cordas Este Seu Olhar - Corcovado - Se Todos Fossem Iguais a Você (Tom Jobim) performed by Toquinho A Palo Seco (Belchior) performed by Oswaldo Montenegro and Roberto Menescal A Paz (Gilberto Gil - João Donato) performed by João Bosco