Search - Jorge Ben Jor :: Acustico Mtv 1

Cool, but a little too slick

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 09/10/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Like their North American counterparts, the artists performing on Brazilian MTV feel free to take a wide latitude with the concept of the "acoustic" show; in rock-soul legend Jorge Ben's case, he brings a full-on Barry White-style string section and soul orchestra onto the soundstage with him, creating a fairly gigantic sound. These sleek presentations of his greatest career hits are a little too reserved for me -- it's professional and grandly realized, but lacks any element of danger or chance, more a glorified nostalgia tour than an artistic effort. Still, these arrangements do sound a lot different than the original sambadelic funk recordings of the '60s and '70s, and it's kind of interesting to hear him re-imagine his own work in this manner. I'm not sure, but I'd guess that the concert DVD is probably more interesting to watch than the CDs are to listen to."