Search - Toninho Horta :: Once I Loved

Brilliant and Unconventional Trio with Horta's Conceptions!

Carlos from Rio | Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil | 07/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an album of American standards plus four Horta's compositions, all played by an unconventional guitar-bass-&-drums trio. The bass is by Gary Peacock and drums are by Billy Higgins. Arrangements are all by Toninho Horta. High Artistry!Nothing less than brilliant and unique renditions of "My Funny Valentine", of George Shearing's "Lullaby of Birdland", and Waynne Shorter's "Footprints".Toninho Horta comes from the State of Minas Gerais in Brazil, from the same place and the same group of composers and musicians which gave us Milton Nascimento. Some of the most notable songs recorded by Nascimento are Horta's compositions, featuring "Beijo Partido" in Nascimento's album "Minas".Three qualities distinguish Horta's work:
1 - He is a great guitarrist and he plays within a conception of a big orchestra in his mind.
2 - He is a sophisticated composer of intricate songs and a great melodist. "Waltz for Mariana", "Minas Train", and "Pica Pau" are his inspired compositions in this CD. Though sophisticated, his songs are beautifully melodious to new entrants.
3 - His guitar playing is a parameter for guitar instrumentalists in Brazil, notably those who are in their advanced playing.Just like Tom Jobim, sometimes, Mr. Horta decides to sing on a few tracks of his albums and his singing is not so good though the songs and lyrics are always highly inspirated. I wouldn't mind about his bad singing. In this CD, he sings "Stella by Starlight", Milton Nascimento's "Tarde", the title track, and Tom Jobim's "Once I Loved".For those who love sophisticated Brazilian way of making music or Bossa Nova or those who simply love good music."

Carlinhos speaks the truth

Peppino | 08/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Our carioca friend Carlos really said a lot on his review that posted here for Toninho's excellent trio offering of standards from América do Norte , along with his own incredible compositions.



I thought to write, ..I remember a 'DOWNBEAT" magazine review when the cd first was released.

The (American) reviewer of the CD 'warned" that Toninho's improvisational prowess was (and I parafrase only now) "not up to the standards of the "jazz guitar technique" .

Almost certain obvious he means the "Wes Montgomery and post- Wes" approach to jazz guitar, a style so often imitated/mimic-ed, that that reviewer probably should have REJOICED in Toninho's fresh and unique approach, not subtly downgrade it, which is my opinion of his words.

(Regards my previous observation, I wish include ALL the great jazz guitarists/ innovators and also their blatant imitators , my reference to evoke the memoria of Wes ,only for brevity sake to describe the very traditional jazz guitar approach , which, incidentally, I also love and respect.).



As if somehow, Toninho was a lesser luminary of jazz guitar conception. This review I read really bothered me, and I remembered it when I just read Carlos' great review!



CARALHO! , WHAT an absurdo! What an bizzarre comparison that US reviewer made! Apples are apples, Oranges are Oranges, TH did not set out to make another "traditional jazz guitar" recording, no.

Toninho Horta has developed his own individual conception both in single line and chordal approach to the instrument.

Especially chordally, where, as stated by Carlos interview, Toninho especially shines, offering incredible range in chord voicing and substitution, this makes him an influential inspiration in Brasil and regions beyond, hoepful US fans will take notice too!





He is also deeply "tainted" in the sounds of the "motherland" (Brasil) as he is with jazz,rock,and Pan-American musics. An indelible stain, hehehe!



(TH was a charter member of the famous "corner club" which included Milton and Lo Borges,TH has been an integral grear in the Brasilian musics machine that produces much of the BEST of the world's sounds!)



The CD offers the 'brasilianization' of US standards (As his lovely reworking of "Stella By Starlight", and "Pica Pau", an original should be included as one of the finest of Toninho's many original compositions.



As was Grant Green in US jazz guitar terms, Toninho is INSTANTLY recognizable as a soloist, and his melodic improvisations are from the heart, a flurry of "1/164th" notes not necessary for TH to "tell his story"



10000000000000 stars for one of the MANY incredible guitarists from Bra-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-sil-l-l-l-l-l !



saúde e paz pessoal..

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