A Classic Is Born!
— She has recorded songbooks for some of the most treasured and respected songwriters in Brazilian music. Her 2004 Dois Corações featured the music of Johnny Alf and Sueli Costa. Next was the 2007 Zíngaro, where the short Tom Jobim and Chico Buarque songbook was featured. The latest tribute she recorded was in 2017, Jobim 90, in celebration of what would have been Tom Jobim’s 90th birthday. In between those albums, she kept also adding other distinguished recordings featuring several other Brazilian songwriters. Now in 2019, her eighth solo album, Canta Filó Machado (Sings Filó Machado) has reached all streaming platforms (no physical product is set for release as of yet). Of course I am talking about Brazilian extraordinaire songstress Fernanda Cunha! You can check her entire discography here in MúsicaBrasileira.org.
Filó Machado is a well-known songwriter and performer with a solid career in Brazil and abroad. Born in Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo, 1951), this multi-instrumentalist (drums, guitars, keyboards, percussion), composer, and arranger has written music with some renowned lyricists, including Michel Legrand, Cacaso, Sérgio Natureza, Aldir Blanc, Fátima Guedes, Djavan, and several others. With over half a dozen albums under his belt, Filó Machado started his musical career at age 10. His first recording appearance was in 1972 in Marília Medalha’s album Caminhada. His first album came out in 1978, and the rest solidified his musical career.
For this phenomenal release, Fernanda Cunha selected some of Filó’s best known songs. (Incidentally, she released the album on his birthday, February 3.) The songs featured here include bouncy sambas, heartfelt ballads, and jazzy tunes — all characteristic of Filó’s vast repertoire. If anyone had asked me if these songs would fit Fernanda Cunha’s style, I would probably have hesitated a bit. Now, after having listened to this album a dozen times or so, I can confidently state that these songs in Canta Filó Machado create definitive versions of his repertoire.
As always, Fernanda Cunha surrounds herself with expert musicians. They have been recording and playing live with her for quite some time now. She produced the album, and arrangements were created by Zé Carlos, who also plays guitars in all tracks, except on “Carmens e Consuelos” and “Vice Versa.” Camila Dias is featured on piano, Helbe Machado on drums, Berval Moraes on electric bass, and Reg Schwager is featured on “Carmens e Consuelos.” Incidentally, this Canadian connection with Schwager goes back a long way and is absolutely remarkable when these two artists get together. “Carmens e Consuelos” is one of the highlights in the album. With lyrics by superb poet Aldir Blanc, this track makes you think of Bizet’s opera Carmen with mentions of Spain, bull fights, and other scenes from that opera. Aldir Blanc also wrote the lyrics for the lively samba that opens the album, “Vale o Escrito.” Other Filó Machado‘s classics that get the Fernanda Cunha vocal treatment include his hits “Perfume de Cebola” and “Jogral.”
Canta Filó Machado is addictive in its direct arrangements and hypnotizing vocals. Fernanda Cunha gives us a repertoire that aptly pays homage to one of Brazil’s best songwriters while at the same time adding songs to her remarkable discography.
ALBUM INFORMATION
Fernanda Cunha
Canta Filó Machado
Independent (2019)
Time: 26’00”
Tracks:
1. Vale o Escrito (Filó Machado – Aldir Blanc)
2. Perfume de Cebola (Filó Machado – Cacaso)
3. Rainha da Noite (Filó Machado – Judith de Souza)
4. Carmens e Consuelos (Filó Machado – Aldir Blanc) – w/ Reg Schwager
5. Pro Felipe (Filó Machado)
6. Jogral (Filó Machado – José Neto – Djavan)
7. Vice Versa (Filó Machado – Sérgio Natureza)
8. Boca de Leão (Filó Machado – Judith de Souza)
