Another Memorable Tribute
— Every year and any year is a good time to celebrate the legacy and music of Antonio Carlos Jobim. This new release by Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto, Por Causa de Você (Because of You), comes loaded with memorable music and top-notch performers. Some people may think that Tom Jobim‘s music has been over-recorded, but when that music involves Jovino Santos Neto and his guests Maucha Adnet and Romero Lubambo, words won’t come close to expressing the joyous occasion for the album.
First off, a little bit of history about the recording. Por Causa de Você (Because of You) was recorded live at the Triple Door in Seattle, Washington, on January 25, 2015. That would have been Tom Jobim‘s 88th birthday, for those are keeping track of that. Produced by Jovino Santos Neto, the album is also dedicated in memory to the visionary Adventure Music founder, Richard Zirinsky, Jr, who just happened to have been born on the same day as Jobim’s birthday. For us, Brazilian music lovers, Zirinsky’s contributions are timeless. His label gave us dozens and dozens of great Brazilian music outside of Brazil. Several of those albums have been reviewed here in MúsicaBrasileira.org.
Por Causa de Você (Because of You) was arranged by Jovino Santos Neto, except for “Águas de Março,” which brings Mario Adnet‘s signature. If you are not familiar with the Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto, it is formed by Jovino Santos Neto (keyboards), Ben Thomas (vibraphone, bandoneon), Chuck Deardorf (basses), Mark Ivester (drums), and Jeff Busch (percussion). For this album, as previously mentioned above, the superb vocals of Maucha Adnet and the incomparable guitar of Romero Lubambo augment the fantastic line-up.
Two of the tracks featured here are instrumental pieces. The opener, “Surfboard,” and “Samba de Uma Nota Só” will take your breath away. The intro guitar solo Romero Lubambo does in “Samba de Uma Nota Só” is out of this world! Actually, the whole ensemble has a featured spot in this arrangement. It is as if you’ve never heard “Samba de Uma Nota Só” previously. Although it is unquestionable how good these guys are, I am partial — ok, call me biased — to Maucha Adnet‘s voice and performances. In all the other eight tracks, she is her usual superb star. Having worked with Tom Jobim before, she brings a commanding performance to his music unlike other performers. The liner notes Andy Connell wrote for the album contain the following question: “Is there a more poignant phrase than the first line that Maucha sings on “A Felicidade”? An answer is not required, of course, because we know and feel the song message in her voice in that track and all others.
Jovino Santos Neto also showcases his artistry in various ways. Is there anything greater than hearing his lively melodica solo in “Wave”? It doesn’t get any better than that! And to make that arrangement more unforgettable, just listen to Romero Lubambo‘s solo. Does this guy really only have two hands?! A special mention goes to the touching bandoneon solo by Ben Thomas on “As Praias Desertas.” That track carries a beautiful sadness that begs for that bandoneon solo. Touchingly moving!
Be prepared to be wowed when you listen to Por Causa de Você (Because of You). These are fine musicians doing what they do best: play to their hearts’ content. What a nice tribute to the timeless music of Tom Jobim!
ALBUM INFORMATION
Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto featuring Maucha Adnet & Romero Lubambo
Por Causa de Você (Because of You)
Adventure Music AM1117 2 (2018)
Time: 60’07”
Tracks (all music by Antonio Carlos Jobim, except where noted):
- Surfboard
- A Felicidade (Happiness) (Antonio Carlos Jobim – Vinícius de Moraes)
- Águas de Março (Waters of March)
- Chovendo na Roseira (Double Rainbow)
- Por Causa de Você (Because of You) (Antonio Carlos Jobim – Dolores Duran)
- Retrato em Branco e Preto (Portrait in White and Black) (Antonio Carlos Jobim – Chico Buarque)
- Samba de Uma Nota Só (One-Note Samba) (Antonio Carlos Jobim – Newton Mendonça)
- Wave
- As Praias Desertas (The Desert Beaches)
- Garota de Ipanema (Girl from Ipanema) (Antonio Carlos Jobim – Vinícius de Moraes – Norman Gimbel)
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