Search - Maria Bethânia :: Ambar

Bethânia's eternal song and love

12/05/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Âmbar (Amber) shines from song to song with Bethânia's inimitable performances. With both simpleand elaborate arrangements - not overdone - and perfect delivery, Bethânia's renditions take the listener on a musical journey through the new and the classic in Brazilian song. Her enunciation in "Chão de Estrelas" ("Floor of Stars") is precise and poetic. It is a well-deserved tribute to song writers Sílvio Caldas and Orestes Barbosa. Jaime Além's guitar accompaniment brings out the simplicity and serenity in this classic Brazilian tune. Besides Adriana Calcanhoto, who wrote the title track, another newcomer to Bethânia's repertoire is Brazilian sensation Chico César. César's first composition featured in this release, "Onde Estará o Meu Amor" ("Where Will My Love Be") is a melancholic song with a soft Brazilian countryside feeling. It is, however, in the other Chico César song, "Invocação" ("Invocation"), that Bethânia shows her extraordinary voice and interpretation. This haunting melody and poignant lyrics begin with the string section setting the mood for the invocation. There is darkness in the music and mysticism in the words. Bethânia sings "Invocação" almost like a prayer. Virgínia Rodrigues provides a ghost-like voice in the background, like a prisoner and slave crying. This chant contrasts dramatically with the drum and bass accompaniment.Switching from this emotional setting, Chico Buarque joins Maria Bethânia in Ary Barroso and Luiz Peixoto's "Quando Eu Penso na Bahia" ("When I Think of Bahia"). The tone is very relaxed and fun. Having performed together in a Canecão show in the 70's in Rio de Janeiro, Bethânia and Buarque feel very at ease in each other's presence. However, Bethânia's homage to the Brazilian greats does not stop here. Vicente Paiva and Jayme Redondo's great exultation prayer "Ave Maria" ("Hail Mary") is a peaceful and beautiful song praising Brazil. Like other well-known songs in that same vein, "Ave Maria" paints the colorful Brazilian landscape and the beautiful open skies in a very sensitive performance by Bethânia.Caetano Veloso's "Eterno em Mim" (Eternal in Me) is a statement for Bethânia's life. From the opening words, "não há nada no mundo que possa fazer eu deixar de cantar" (there is nothing in the world that will keep me from singing), until Bethânia's last breath, she puts a lot of emotion in these lyrics. Her voice carries the weight of someone who truly believes and lives Veloso's lyrics.Âmbar is the celebration of Maria Bethânia's 50th birthday. As a mature artist, Bethânia continues to explore the new music of Brazil as she records Adriana Calcanhoto, Chico César, and Carlinhos Brown at the same time as she sings classics by Sílvio Caldas, Orestes Barbosa, Ary Barroso, and Vicente Paiva. Âmbar clearly shows the singer's dedication to her art. Bethânia's passion is stamped in every note and word she breathes. Âmbar is exuberant and heartfelt"

Melancolia pura.

M. P. Araujo | Florida | 05/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Los portugueses dejaron presente su sello de melancolia en la musica de cada uno de los paises que colonizaron. Es esa misma melancolia la que le da ese encanto a la musica "lusofonica". Ambar es una gema, que con sus letras y melodias apela a las fibras mas intimas de sus oyentes. Bravo Maria!"