At first, this seems like an implausible meeting.
Maria Bethânia, sister of
Caetano Veloso, member of the iconoclast movement Tropicália since its inception, dedicated this album to the duo of songwriters
Roberto Carlos/
Erasmo Carlos, long since associated with a heavily romantic repertoire that makes the delights of their middle-aged feminine fan base. But, in fact, the songs by
Roberto and
Erasmo are quite poetic and well resolved in formal terms. If
Roberto (and others) decided to profit on their jewels through condescending arrangements/renditions, it can't be assumed that their material isn't worth it, and
Bethânia shows why. Deeply romantic, yes -- but extremely tasteful. The album sold 1.5 million copies. ~ Alvaro Neder