3/30/2009

A Classic Revisited: 'Clube da Esquina'


MILTON NASCIMENTO & LO BORGES
Clube Da Esquina

[EMI Brazil-1972]


Armed with solid songs and wistful, ethereal melodies, Brazilian singers/songwriters Milton Nascimento and Lo Borges assembled a cast of talented cronies—among them legendary keyboardist/arranger Eumir Deodato and virtuoso guitarist Toninho Horta, as well as Wagner Tiso, Beto Guedes and Fernando Brant—that masterfully delve into late ‘60s/early ‘70s Beatlesque pop, jazz, South American ballads, and traditional Brazilian sounds.

This is without a doubt a record of its time but one that has aged quite gracefully just the same. Highly influential in and out of Brazil
one listen and you can immediately surmise both Sting and Pat Metheny have paid close attention to this landmark albumClube Da Esquina includes the widely-covered Brazilian standard "Cravo E Canela".

One of the undisputed classics of Brazilian music, Clube Da Esquina
is still a fascinating listen three-plus decades after its release.


Highlights: "Tudo Que VocĂȘ Podia Ser", "Cais", "O Trem Azul", "Nuvem Cigana", the aforementioned "Cravo E Canela", "Clube da Esquina No.2", "Os Povos".