Search - Caetano Veloso :: Omaggio a Federico e Giulietta

Magico Caetano, by an Italian fan

09/17/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Maybe it's not Caetano's live masterpiece, not as perfect as "Prenda minha" or "Circulado vivo", but it's anyway a precious delight for all his fans (and for those of Federico and Giulietta). His emotion in performing an homage to one of his favourite filmmakers - as he writes in the booklet - and that of the Italian audience, that keeps on calling his name, is perfectly perceptible even through the recording: you can almost touch it. It seems that Caetano profited of this opportunity to go back to the roots of his sentimental sensibility, to his childhood in Santo Amaro, in a personal journey where he is not ashamed to take us and to rediscover such heterogeneous materials as "Come prima", "Dama das camelias", "Patricia" and even the Neapolitan "Luna rossa" (most of them contemporary of Fellini's movies), whose "kitsch naivety" his voice, as sweet, as intensive, as expressive as ever - despite the problems he reports - dignifies turning them into intimate timeless lullabies. By the way, his Italian accent is charming and his Neapolitan absolutely delightful (Neapolitan sentimentalism is rather close to Brazilian). He also gives new versions of two great standards such as "Chega de saudade" and "Let's face the music and dance", both in a kind of village fair style, which sounds very Fellinesque. (Nevertheless I prefer the "Circulado vivo" version of "Chega de saudade", more terse and intense). Of course there are also Caetano's songs, not many indeed, all chosen to fit the occasion, starting from his homage to "Giulietta Masina", the reason why he had been invited by the Fondazione Fellini to give this concert, then "Trilhos urbanos", "Lua, lua, lua", "Cajuina" and the marvelous "Coraçao vagabundo", more poignant than ever.
In short, not to be missed by all true fan of Caetano (and of Federico and Giulietta).
P.S. It may seem strange to talk leisurely about music after the 11th of september, but beauty and poetry are just the kind of things we are not ready to give up, aren't they?"

Heart felt tribute to Fellini

Neal C. Reynolds | Indianapolis, Indiana | 06/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Once in a while comes a CD which is truly unique and of great, if rather specialized, appeal. This homage to the great filmmaker Fellini is such a CD.In this concert, the singer becomes the one who feels truly honored that he is in a position to himself honor a lifetime idol. Because of this, Veloso's voice and talent shares the focus with Fellini. Notable is the fact that in truth he is honoring both Federico and Giulietta. You feel the regret of his not ever meeting them, the regret that they could not be at this concert to see the effect they had on his life. This is a very listenable set even if you are not familiar with Fellini's films, but Fellini fans will get more out of it than those who aren't. On the other hand, Veloso has many fans and maybe this homage will inspire many of them to become acquainted with Fellini's films. Let's hope so."

Utterly infectious

Christopher Carton | Bakersfield, CA United States | 03/22/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Not as groovy as some of Caetano's other stuff, but truly brilliant, largely due to the complement of Jaques Morelenbaum's string arrangements. I bought this after I had heard this version of Trilhos Urbanos, which I believe is easily the best rendition of that song that he has done. Also a very poignant take on Lua, Lua, Lua, Lua. I consider Luna Rossa to be the gem of this album, and it may well be my favorite Caetano song ever, even if he didn't write it. That songs rips my heart out every time I hear it. Come Tu Mi Voui is also a great way to smoothly immerse oneself into the feeling of this album. Like always, Caetano shifts the pace effectively with Chega de Saudade and Let's Face the Music and Dance. Coraçao Vagabundo also marks another truly memorable moment. I'm really sorry this concert isn't on a DVD, because it is sonically a very strong effort by Veloso and Morelenbaum."