Search - Charlie Byrd :: Brazilian Byrd (Mlps)

Brazilian Brilliance by Byrd, Jobim, and Newsom

Joseph Frame | Woodbridge, NJ United States | 08/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I believe that this CD can be considered a chamber-suite for acoustic jazz guitar and small orchestra; and that as such, it is a masterpiece! It's so perfectly performed, arranged and recorded; one gets the feeling that Jobim wrote these pieces specifically for this recording. I guess I wouldn't be letting the cat out of the bag if I said that this is my all-time favorite!There are actually three important musical aspects of this disc to be considered: Charlie Byrd's consummate performance; Antonio Carlos Jobim's compositional genius; and Tommy Newsom's wonderful arrangements. It would be unfair not to mention Teo Macero's production expertise as well as the technically astute recording itself; however space prohibits elaboration. Charlie Byrd was undoubtedly a multi-talented musician; and one of his primary talents was his ability to impart the true feeling of a composition - and what un-plumbed depths of feeling are provided for him by Jobim's compositions! Even in less talented hands, Jobim's magnificent melodies and haunting harmonies artfully express Brazilian life - both joyous and sanguine; on this disc we have the perfect collaboration of a master guitarist. Byrd's lush use of the full, expressive timbre of the acoustic guitar gives us the ultimate interpretation of this music. What can be said about Jobim's genius? And I, like many others, do consider him a true musical genius. People can learn harmony; they can be taught to arrange, write scores, and they can study rhythmic variations. But melody is a gift. Antonio Carlos Jobim had the gift --- and he did the studying as well! "Corcovado" is one of the most beautiful melodies ever written; "Dindi", "Someone to Light Up My Life", and "O Amor em Paz (Once I Loved)" are all exquisitely melodic pieces. But, I have not heard a Jobim piece that wasn't.Tommy Newsom's arrangements are what, I think, "make" this recording. Arranging is, in a sense, a form of composing, at least a really good arranger makes it seem that way. Newsom's sense of "what" fits "where" is brilliant. He makes all the components of this session musically coherent; emphasizing Byrd's guitar at just the right time, while giving the strings and woodwinds theirs, too! This was recorded before computer mixing techniques and the sophisticated acoustic-electric systems available on any acoustic guitar today; yet the balance between soloist and ensemble is perfect! Newsom, working with the compositional genius of Jobim, and the interpretative genius /technical expertise of Byrd, created a body of work of which any arranger would, and should, be justifiably proud. This is as good as it gets!"

Ethereal and Lyrical Byrd

Alfred H Essa | Cambridge, MA | 07/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Brazilian Byrd along with The Bossa Nova Years are my two favorite Byrd CDs. Based on compositions by Antonio Carlos Jobim, this is a lyrical and ethereal performance by a talented and versatile guitarist. With Byrd's guitar at the helm and a ravishing orchestra as accompaniment, Jobim's melodies sing and float. The samba is light and melancholic, yet deeply moving."

If you like Latin Jazz...

Thomas S. Marshall | Maine, USA | 08/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...than this is a CD for you. Can't beat Charlie Byrd's guitar playing."