Amazing
Timothy J. Gollin | Houston, TX United States | 09/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In the 1940s and 1950s, between gigs accompanying Carmen Miranda, Annibal Agosto Sardinha, aka Garoto, wrote and played choro. Like many choro compositions, each is a polished miniature which fully explores the harmonic and melodic possibilities of the guitar. Technically it's hard to find more brilliant guitar playing anywhere. Desvairada has become a standard showpiece for Braslian guitarists (Rabello, Rabello/Dino 7 Cordas Rabello/Armandinho, Caio Marcio, Marco Pereira, and many others) with its torrents of 64th notes, but many of the other pieces are even more beautiful harmonically. There are very few recordings of Garoto; this is one. Listen to his accompaniment of Carmen Miranda on some of her recordings too to understand something of the unique Brasilian relationship of vocal to guitar/instrumental."
Fantastic musicianship
Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 06/08/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Master guitarist Garoto was one of Brazil's greatest "choro" musicians, playing the jazzy instrumental style with lightning-fast melodic runs. These are classic recordings from 1949-55, when Garoto was absolutely on fire. If you like choro music, or perhaps even the gypsy jazz of Django Rinehardt, you really should snap this one up... It's dazzling!"