Alcione, a competent samba singer who has dedicated most of her commercial career to singing romantic samba tunes, brings a diverse approach to this 2000 release. The title,
Nos Bares da Vida (in the bars of life) is a reference to
Milton Nascimento's song where he addresses the contemporary musician gig.
Alcione retains the concept but talks of a previous generation. In other words, the repertory interpreted and the atmosphere evoked have nothing to do with a more current Brazilian bar, but with a 1960/1970 nightclub. The concept serves to gather distinctive styles in the same basket, like bossa nova ("Este Seu Olhar," "Última Forma," "Ilusão à Toa," "A Noite do Meu Bem"), samba-canção ("Pra Machucar Meu Coração," "Nossos Momentos," "Não Me Diga Adeus," "Pois É," "Obsessão"), samba ("O Poder da Criação," "A Flor e o Espinho," "Me Deixa Em Paz"), fossa ("Ronda," "Bar da Noite," "Nesse Mesmo Lugar," "Tudo Acabado"), Northeastern music ("Lamento Sertanejo," "Pisa Na Fulô"), and, classic of classics, the hors-concours "Carinhoso." Backed by João Lyra's violão and light percussion, the show, recorded live in April at the Garden Hall, also has
Márcio Montarroyos (trumpet), Cristóvão Bastos (piano), Dori Caymmi (violão),
Rildo Hora (harmonica), and
Vittor Santos (trombone) -- no bass. A delicious album, a refreshment for electronics-cluttered times. ~ Alvaro Neder