After seven years as the singer of immensely popular axé band Babado Novo, Cláudia Leitte decided to launch her solo career with a bang. Thus, on February 17, 2008, Leitte performed for the first time as a solo artist at Rio de Janeiro's legendary Copacabana beach, an open air concert for 700,000 people. In July of the same year, a CD and DVD of the concert were released in Brazil, rapidly reaching multi-selling status. It may seem strange, or even unprecedented, to kickstart a solo career with a live album comprised almost entirely of one's former band's big hits, but more than a new beginning, this is probably a change of names to reflect actual hierarchies. In fact, Leitte's backing band (at least for this occasion) was still made up of Babado Novo's members, and everybody knows a good deal of Babado Novo's success laid in its lead singer's electric sex appeal. As stated, the set includes versions of many Babado Novo's greatest moments such as "Caí Fora," "Insolação do Coração," "Pensando en Você," or their great cover of Led Zeppelin's reggae "Dyer Maker." However, Leitte is also bent on gradually distancing herself from being identified strictly with axé music. She is clearly following the paths of Ivete Sangalo or Daniela Mercury, aiming to become a mainstream pop superstar -- with an only-in-Brazil level of sultriness. This becomes apparent in her list of guests (including Carlinhos Brown, Daniela Mercury, and Wando), and most particularly in the furious rock version of one of Babado Novo's biggest hits, "Bola de Sabão" together with Badauí from CPM 22, as well as in the duet with rapper Gabriel o Pensador on her former band's last single "Exttravasa," that already hinted at new musical directions. The album also includes three new tracks, "Quem é de Fé Balança," "Pássaros," and "Beijar na Boca." Regardless of what the future may bring for Cláudia Leitte, this concert is a great document of what, undeniably, was a non-stop party. In short, Carnival in Rio.
© Mariano Prunes /TiVo