Search - Bet.e & Stef :: Day by Day

The very character of Bet.e & Stef's new album "Day By Day" is its intimacy and timelessness. Despite being complex and witty overall, its music feels natural and universal. Primarily produced by Bet.e & Stef with producer/arranger Michel Pépin, who has worked with Rufus Wainwright, and Emmy Lou Harris, it features gentle and reserved guitar by Stef who has a smooth precise voice; Bet.e's wonderful velvety vocals; and sparse, tasteful accompaniment. "We try not to clutter up the songs," explains Bet.e. "We are with the 'less is more' approach. Pauses speak just as much as the notes and make listeners appreciate what's coming." Adds Stef, "We're trying to stay timeless with our music." The album features a body of superb originals including the title track "Day By Day," as well as "All is Well," "I'm There," "Wish You Well," "Lying Game," "Listen To The Night," and "It's Over." About the song "Day By Day," Bet.e says, "The chorus' lyrics, 'Strength is not a stranger, I take it day by day,' represent our philosophy quite well." Adds Stef about "All is Well," "I wrote that song with all my love to my newborn son. It marked the debut of my new life as a father." There are outstanding covers of Brazilian repertoire including: "Zana," and Regra Tres," both written by pioneering Brazilian singer/guitarist Antonio Petti Filho, known as Toquinho; "Vagabond," originally sung by French vocalist Henri Salvador; and " Só Tinha de Ser Com Você," penned by Antonio Carlos Jobim, one of Brazil's most creative musicians. "We rearranged 'Zana' considerably" says Stef. "It was already a party song. We took it one step further by adding modulation, and Bet.e sings it with a R&B feeling."