Search - Joyce :: Essential 1970-1996

Some hits, some misses

bordersj2 | 04/10/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Joyce has a signature style of playing and singing, covering the range from introspective to euphoric. It's great brazilian jazz but in her own style. Her style and career really didn't get going until 1975 (the 5th track on this album) and her best album and song is 'Feminina' (1980). If you can find that album buy it! The other stuff her is so-so. Some too antiquated, others lacking that sound of hers."

Eu Quero Saber! Eu quero Saber!

bordersj2 | Boston | 04/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's tough for me to admit who my favorite singer is. Not because of shyness, but because I really love the music of so many artists. But Joyce is easily one of the top 2 or 3 for me. Her music was always very risky, very unique, always inspired and it grabs me. For almost 40 years, she's put out loads of great songs and interpretations. This is an album on the Mr. Bongo label from back in 1997. That's the same label that introduced artists like Ive Mendes or Mr. Hermano and perhaps are more known for their "Brazilian Beats" series. It's tough for me to review Joyce's work and keep it short... ni this release, I loved so many of her interpretations and releases.



This is a tribute to Joyce that spans from her very early work in the late 60's to 1996. And, again I may be biased, but I absolutely love it. It starts off with Caqui, a kickin' samba with vocals that'll snatch you.. "Eu quero saber!" That's followed up with a Brazilian classic, "Nada Sera Como Antes". It's a beautiful song that's been done very often and even in English by Sarah Vaughn about 14 years or so ago! "Adeus Maria Fulo" has a real ambaince to the intro but what a bridge - the early works are so important to grasping her style. "The Man From the Avenue" is track that's just a little haunting, in English, and her voice captures the tune... her guitar player adding more depth to it. "Joya" was another song I liked... the only other version that really sticks out in my mind is noe done by Vinicius Cantuaria, another of my favorite artists as he too has such a full and REAL sound. Joyce's is a bit quick, and in quick succession moves into a couple of quick tracks. "Viola Fora De Moda" is a song that I've always loved. I enjoyed Joyce's a great deal but also must admit that Edu Lobo's is just as spirited to me.



Those are only a handful of the tracks. Passarinho was also very nice, and of course you have songs from the album which really gave her a bigger spotlight - the strong "Feminina" and "Clareana", dedicated to her daughters, both of whom, Clara Moreno and Ana Martins, have had good careers of their own. "Aldeia De Ogum" has a classic Joyce sound to it - her dancing voice over a mesmerizing rhythm and guitar. But then you have a few of my other personal favorites by her - "Magica", "Banana", and last but not least, "Samba De Gago". Samba De Gago just captures her, in my opinion, and what a sound! Very different, a little bit scattered, pretty crazy and entirely Brazilian.



I highly recommend this. This doesn't even include some of the other stunning pieces here, like "Docura Forte", etc. Again, Joyce is one of my favorite musicians and to me this album really does highlight many of her best works from the time period. The only thing better would be having all of the music and deciding for yourself. So I think any fan of Brazilian music would be doing themselves an injustice by not checking this out if you haven't already discovered the genius of her music. Also, if you like this, be sure to check music by Gal Costa, Maria Bethania, Beth Carvalho, Vinicius Cantuaria, Elis Regina, Renato Braz and maybe Ana Caram. You will also want to see what Joyce's done post 1996, which includes some terrific albums on Far Out Records like "Gafeira Moderna", "Hard Bossa" and a couple of others. Her old album with Nelson Angelo is supposedly being reissued too. But definitely check this out!"