Search - Various Artists :: Rio Nights

Choro superstars

11/19/1998

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Choro is an instrumental style that perhaps overlaps slightly with U.S. jazz. It is more highbrow than most Brazilian musical traditions (for instance, "Bachianas Brasileiras #5" is by the classical composer Villa-Lobos, who also wrote choros) and this CD is the most self-consciously arty of the popular Brazilian music I've heard, perhaps all the more because it's an Event, a gathering of some of the biggest names in choro. I like it better each time I hear it, which probably means it deserves more than three stars - but it does call for close, conscious listening."

Rio Nights delivers with choro star power

Mark A. Strohschein | Anacortes, WA USA | 06/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This live album is a choro virtuosis dream. The soloists are really featured on this CD, which was recorded over a two-day period in Rio. Soloists include Joel Nascimento (bandolim), Paulo Moura (clarinet), Chiquinho (accordian) among others. The arrangements are very interesting, and instead of all straight-ahead, pandeiro-pounding (although it does have some of that) choro, you get an excellently-rendered "Carinhoso," a clarinet duel on "Chorando Baixinho," and an incredible arrangement of "Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5" by Villa-Lobos. Have no fear: This classical piece is in great hands with these master musicians. You'll find all your favorite choro pieces here, too--from Pixinguinha, to do Bandolim, to Gnattali. "Swinging" (#13) is a gem of a piece. This would also make a great first choro album buy, since it does have many of the classics, like "1 X O," "Doce de Coco," etc. The only down side is that the liner notes are only two pages, and the lead soloists are only mentioned on each track. It does not list track-by-track credits."