MEMORIAL

Memorial is a work of fine sonic tapestry, capturing two artists at a moment of great inspiration. In the smooth voice of Zé Renato, Wagner Tiso has found the perfect complement to demonstrate his versatility when it comes to musical arrangements. A good part of the songs on the albums are quite unknown, which is positive, as it gives more fuel to the imagination of the listener, who comes across old gems (some of the songs date back to the 19th and early 20th centuries) recreated here in a soft and evocative manner. Wagner has created delicate soundscapes, each one fitting the demands of each song. At the same time, a great effort has been made to make Memorial sound absolutely contemporary, without false bombast or ingratiation. The result is that, in spite of the high age of most of the tracks, the album possess a sense of vigour and present value, that are consistent both with the personal careers of Wagner Tiso and Zé Renato as well as with the present state of the MPB. In fact, the tribute to Juscelino Kubitscheck almost falls into the background; and what emerges is a successful sonic encounter that should be repeated in the future. Much at ease in performing this repertoire – after all, he has for some time now dedicated his work to recreating old songs – Zé Renato sparkles, full of versatility. In the serenades (that dominated the musical taste of Juscelino Kubitschek), as Neuza or É Ti a Flor do Céu, the sweet interpretation style of the ex-Boca Livre singer sinks into the bed of strings orchestrated by Wagner, in an almost flawless fusion. On another serenade, Noite Cheia de Estrelas, Wagner Tiso lowers the influence of the orchestration, to let a more sparse sound dictate the pace – and he thus proves that in richness of detail as well as in acoustic sparseness, he finds the right balance. If the topic is samba, worth noting are the simple recreations of O Grande Amor and Lamento no Morro, that contrast to the more full-toned arrangements of Quando Tu Passas Por Mim. Pois É is turned into a great celebration, with its long list of guest appearances contributing to the choir singing. The emotional and inevitable Peixe Vivo is presented in a sumptuously beautiful version, in which the strings of Wagner Tiso rock Juscelino Kubitschek on his way to eternity. (Translated from Portuguese by Philip Jandovský.) (Marco Antonio Barbosa)