Eliane Elias - Sings Jobim

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Music reviews of Sings Jobim

Music Review: A different take on A.C. Jobim Astrud Gilberto & Elis Regina
Rating: 4 Stars

So along comes Brazillian Eliane Elias, while herself not a Carioca, her bossanova pedigree extends to having worked with Vinicius De Moraes, Antonio Carlos Jobim's co-writer, at the age of seventeen. Comparisons with Jobim and Astrud Gilberto are expected on this album, especially with Jobim as she plays the piano and sings on all her tracks.

As a vocalist, her style contrasts with the coy and inexperienced charm of a then young Gilberto. This is a confident singer eager to stamp her own style with innovative rhythms and counterpoints, perhaps stylistically more influenced by Elis Regina.

Take "Girl from Ipanema", where the backphrased introduction sets up the tune beautifully. And if you've heard countless bands race through "One note samba", you're in for a pleasant surprise. Elias cools down the tempo with a degree subtlety reminiscent of Miles. Her vocals carry song more than halfway before any significant instrumental support. Her vocals are more regular, in contrast to Jobim's more laid back legato singing style. Her interpretation of Desafinado (slightly off key), is more rhythmic, but the difference ends here.

As a pianist, she excells beautifully as well. Long her forte, she has taught the instrument since the age of 15 in Sao Paolo. Her piano inprovisations come off as more jazz influenced than samba, making for a happy marriage. Not especially adventurous, and certainly throwing no Jobim afficionados any surprises, she has mostly stuck closely to Jobim's arrangements on the bossanova pieces albeit in a jazzier, more polished setting - minus the slightly annoying strings which 60s jazz artistes love using to add body to their work (think Wes Montgomery).

Elias' treatment of the seldom recorded Modinha is an exhibition of her jazz improvisation and vocal skill. Listen to the original on Elis & Tom before her version to fully appreciate the depth of her musicality. If there's anything to fault this album on, is its penchant for treading on safe ground. A supporting cast of well known jazz musicians (including brother-in-law Michael Brecker), Oscar Castro-Neves on guitar, Marc Johnson (acoustic bass, background vocals) and Paulo Braga (drums, bongos, background vocals) compliment her well.

Recommended: for the Jobim fan who appreciates the beauty of his compositions in any setting. This is definitely one of the better Jobim tribute albums you'll find out there.

Description of Sings Jobim

International CDs

• Music > Styles
• Jazz
• Pop