Caetano e Maria Gadú: Ao vivo 2010

AllMusic Review by Mariano Prunes  [-]

In the currently booming Brazilian economy, CD/DVD live packages must be all the rage, as every artist seems to be releasing one after each tour, many of them under the banner of the Multishow series of the Globo TV media empire. Take for instance the case of Maria Gadú, one of the brightest new names on the scene. She released her wonderful, self-titled debut album in 2009, then a Multishow ao Vivo in 2010, and now in 2011, yet another Multishow ao Vivo, together with legend Caetano Veloso, who had his own Multishow in 2008. While Veloso has decades of world-class compositions to choose from, Gadú is always relying on the same songs from her only album, running considerable risk of overexposure. There is a caveat, though, and that is that the 2011 Multishow is an entirely acoustic affair, with guitar and voice only. This renders Gadú's set list arguably more interesting than her previous Multishow release swith a full band, since those arrangements were closer to the studio versions than these acoustic interpretations. On the other hand, Veloso is no stranger to all-acoustic live performances, and his list of selections, while eminently unimpeachable, offers few surprises for anyone familiar with his previous live albums. In any event, the encounter between the new star and the old master feels a bit unbalanced, with seven songs by Gadú, and the remaining 19 coming from Veloso's repertoire (songs either written or covered by him). On top of that, while Gadú joins Veloso for most of his selections, she sings her own material alone. Which is a real pity, since the DVD's most touching moment comes when Veloso surprises Gadú with a rendition of her own "Shimbalaié," so tender that it moves its young author to tears. The bottom line is, the only novelty of this release is hearing Gadú singing Veloso standards, which is pleasant but hardly an eye-opener. After all, she faces unsurmountable competition, as every major singer in Brazil has performed Veloso's compositions. While Gadú was rightfully considered a revelation as a songwriter, as a singer she rather belongs in the utterly lovely category -- think Nara Leão, Bebel Gilberto, Adriana Calcanhotto -- than in the wonder of naturally gifted ones like Elis Regina, Gal Costa, Maria Bethânia, or Marisa Monte. If this all sounds a bit tepid, rest assured: this album is downright beautiful all the way through. Indeed, it could not have been otherwise, considering the artists and the fantastic songs involved. Heck, one could just listen to the version of "Menino do Rio" included here every day of his life and die a happy man. It is just that with people so talented and creative, one always expects more than a charming stroll through their catalog. Ironically, this Multishowrelease may work better for people unfamiliar with the material, as it should send them running to procure the splendid Maria Gadú studio album, or to plunge into the universe of infinite wonders that is Caetano Veloso's music. Fans of either artist, or Brazilian music in general, will obviously love this, but they will also be biting their nails in anticipation while waiting for new Veloso or Gadú originals, hopefully as magnificent as the ones featured here.

Caetano Veloso e Maria Gadú gravado ao vivo no Citibank Hall, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) 19 de Dezembro de 2010 00:00 BELEZA PURA (Caetano Veloso) Caetano Veloso e Maria Gadú 02:54 O QUERERES (Caetano Veloso) Caetano Veloso e Maria Gadú 05:56 SAMPA (Caetano Veloso) Caetano Veloso e Maria Gadú 09:20 VACA PROFANA (Caetano Veloso) Caetano Veloso e Maria Gadú 13:32 RAPTE-ME, CAMALEOA (Caetano Veloso) Caetano Veloso e Maria Gadú 16:00 TREM DAS ONZE (Adoniran Barbosa) Caetano Veloso e Maria Gadú 20:09 O LEÃOZINHO (Caetano Veloso) Caetano Veloso e Maria Gadú 22:44 ODARA (Caetano Veloso) Caetano Veloso e Maria Gadú 28:02 NOSSO ESTRANHO AMOR (Caetano Veloso) Caetano Veloso e Maria Gadú 30:30 VAI LEVANDO (Chico Buarque/Caetano Veloso) Caetano Veloso e Maria Gadú 33:18 MENINO DO RIO (Caetano Veloso) Caetano Veloso e Maria Gadú 36:06 PODRES PODERES (Caetano Veloso) Maria Gadú 40:26 SHIMBALAIÊ (Maria Gadú) Caetano Veloso 43:48 BELA FLOR (Maria Gadú) Maria Gadú 47:33 ENCONTRO (Maria Gadú) Maria Gadú 51:24 TUDO DIFERENTE (André Carvalho) Maria Gadú 55:44 DONA CILA (Maria Gadú) Maria Gadú 01:00:23 ESCUDOS (Maria Gadú) Maria Gadú 01:03:54 A HISTÓRIA DE LILLY BRAUN (Chico Buarque/Edu Lobo) / Citação: THE PINK PANTHER THEME (Henry Mancini) Maria Gadú 01:08:15 MILAGRES DO POVO (Caetano Veloso) Caetano Veloso 01:11:09 GENIPAPO ABSOLUTO (Caetano Veloso) Caetano Veloso 01:13:23 ODEIO (Caetano Veloso) Caetano Veloso 01:17:17 DE NOITE NA CAMA (Caetano Veloso) Caetano Veloso 01:19:46 DESDE QUE O SAMBA É SAMBA (Caetano Veloso) Caetano Veloso 01:24:34 SOZINHO (Peninha) Caetano Veloso 01:27:21 ALEGRIA, ALEGRIA (Caetano Veloso) Caetano Veloso