Sueli Costa: Sueli Costa Convida Fernanda Cunha & Áurea Martins

Brazilian Royalty

— To celebrate her 50th career anniversary, Sueli Costa invited Fernanda Cunha and Áurea Martins to present us with this remarkable new release, Sueli Costa Convida Fernanda Cunha & Áurea Martins. Sueli Costa is one of Brazil’s most celebrated and recorded artists in recent times. Just to give you an idea of the depth and importance of her music in the Brazilian songbook, she was sought out to write music for artists including  Elis Regina, Maria Bethânia, Fernanda Cunha, and Simone, just to name a few. An amazing pianist and composer, Sueli wrote timeless music with poets such as Abel Silva, Cacaso, Tite de Lemos, Ana Terra, Paulo César Pinheiro, Aldir Blanc, Capinan, and several others. The list of hits she penned in these first fifty years of a rich career cannot be compiled in just one album or artist. This recording is very special because here we have three talents showcasing some of the most beautiful and memorable music in the Brazilian songbook. Their voices and renditions cover the musical world of Sueli Costa impeccably well.

Fernanda Cunha has over 20 years of a successful career in Brazil and abroad with frequent appearances in Canada, Europe, and Asia. With seven solo albums to date, this new release adds to the quality music she performs. Daughter of singer Telma Costa, Fernanda Cunha is also Sueli Costa‘s niece and has recorded over a dozen of Sueli’s music in her albums. Her 2004 album Dois Corações was, in fact, dedicated to the music of Johnny Alf and Sueli Costa. Áurea Martins has a long-standing career spanning over 60 years of critically acclaimed performances. She credits the immortal Elizeth Cardoso as one of her biggest influences. She has recorded with Alaíde Costa and is currently involved in several projects in Rio de Janeiro, including the Orquestra Lunar. Rounding up the musicians involved in this recording, we have Zé Carlos on guitar, Berbal Moares on bass and Helbe Machado on drums.

Produced by Fernanda Cunha and recorded live at the Centro da Música Carioca Artur da Távola, the album is a definitive hit list of Sueli Costa‘s greatest hits. Some of the music we hear feature first-time recordings of Sueli singing her own compositions.

The album opener, “Vida de Artista,” is a great choice for starters, as it sums up the career of this great composer. “Canção Brasileira” is another example of how much Sueli Costa‘s music defines Brazilian music. Its verses sing of the setting summer sun and love that makes us happy: “Eu me sinto feliz. sabendo que sou, sabendo que dou o amor mais bonito” (I feel happy knowing that I am, knowing that I give the most beautiful love). Another stunning selection is “Minha Arte,” with Áurea Martins‘ soulful rendition and Zé Carlos‘ exciting guitar solo. Track after track, the music captivates and entrances us, and the renditions are stellar. On a personal note, I was ecstatic to hear “Face a Face” and “Medo de Amar Nº 2” in Sueli’s own voice. Both of those songs were made famous in Brazil in the voice of Simone. Having the pleasure to hear the composer’s rendition is a special treat in a most special recording.

I could go on and on telling you how beautiful and special this release is, but words will come short. You owe it to yourself to experience the beautiful music Sueli Costa has created through these years. Accept her invitation to immerse yourself in a world of immeasurable beauty and timeless art.

ALBUM INFORMATION

Sueli Costa, Fernanda Cunha, Áurea Martins
Sueli Costa Convida Fernanda Cunha & Áurea Martins
Independent (2018)
Time: 46’00”

Tracks:

1. Vida de Artista (Sueli Costa – Abel Silva) – Sueli Costa
2. Música, Música (Sueli Costa – Abel Silva) – Sueli Costa, Fernanda Cunha, Áurea Martins
3. Canção Brasileira (Sueli Costa – Abel Silva) – Fernanda Cunha
4. Minha Arte (Sueli Costa – Ana Terra) – Áurea Martins
5. Face a Face (Sueli Costa – Cacaso) – Sueli Costa, Fernanda Cunha
6. Cobras e Lagartos (Sueli Costa – Hermínio Bello de Carvalho) – Áurea Martins
7. Amor, Amor (Sueli Costa – Cacaso)  – Fernanda Cunha
8. Medo de Amar Nº 2 (Sueli Costa – Tite Lemos) – Sueli Costa
9. Altos e Baixos (Sueli Costa – Aldir Blanc) – Áurea Martins
10. jura Secreta (Sueli Costa – Abel Silva) – Sueli Costa, Fernanda Cunha, Áurea Martins