Nana Caymmi: Nana, Tom, Vinícius

— Although Nana Caymmi has previously recorded songs from the Tom Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes songbook, it was only until now, in July 2020, that she has dedicated an entire album to their music. In Nana, Tom, Vinícius, she pays homage to some of their best known music. Whether singing well known classics including “Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar” and “Sem Você” and lesser known gems such as “Luciana,” this release is destined for success.

The two families — Jobim and Caymmi — have a long-standing relationship. They go back a long time. In 1964, Dorival Caymmi and Tom Jobim released an album entitled Caymmi Visita Tom. In that album, it is also mentioned that Dorival Caymmi brought along his children, Nana, Dori, and Danilo Caymmi. Together the two families have maintained a close relationship throughout the years. It is no wonder that Nana Caymmi has finally decided to release this tribute.

With musical arrangements and direction by brother Dori Caymmi (he also plays acoustic guitar), this is truly an album of superlatives. Accompanied by Russia’s St. Petersburg Orchestra, Nana Caymmi reserved the right to re-record some vocals later. This shows how much care was placed in this album. She wanted it to be perfect. Besides a full orchestra, other stellar musicians are featured in Nana, Tom, Vinícius. The list is long, but it includes, among others, Jorge Helder (bass), Jurim Moreira (drums), Teco Cardoso (flute), and Itamar Assiere (piano).

Out of the twelve memorable tracks, nine bring the Tom Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes signature together, two are solely written by Vinícius de Moraes, and one is by Tom Jobim alone. Whether it was coincidental or not, all twelve tracks happen to have been written before 1960. Listening to this recording, it is inevitable to wonder why it took Nana Caymmi so long to record this entire album. The opener, “Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar,” sounds like it was written for Nana’s singular phrasing. She might even make you forget all other renditions you have heard before. One song you don’t hear very often is the beautiful waltz “Luciana.” The arrangement and performance here are uniquely beautiful. It is an accepted fact that Vinícius de Moraes was an extraordinary poet. Proving also what a skilled musician he was, his two tracks featured here — “Serenata do Adeus” and “Valsa de Eurídice” — are superbly presented. The inclusion of “Serenata do Adeus” links this album to the historic Elizeth Cardoso’s Canção do Amor Demais, a reference album often cited as the start of Bossa Nova.

The album is in stores and also available in all streaming platforms.

ALBUM INFORMATION
Nana Caymmi
Nana, Tom, Vinícius
Tratore 2020
Time: 41’00”

Tracks (all by Tom Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes, except where noted):