Danca Dos Escravos

Danca Dos Escravos

ASIN: B000025ZXJ

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Egberto Gismonti's work is rooted in the very air of his native Brazil, in its convulsive history and rich terrain. Danca dos Escravos, or "Dance of the Slaves," is inspired by the early history of conquest and bondage, with each of his pieces inspired by a narrative of that history. Spanish, Indian, and African elements all fuse in these performances, creating rich weaves of contrapuntal melody and complex rhythms. Gismonti plays only guitars here, rather than his usual mix of guitar and piano, and it focuses the CD, making this perhaps his most beautiful and personal statement. The extended title track is the most striking in a series of works that have both grace and emotional reserves made more poignant by the restraint. --Stuart Broomer

Tracks:

2 Violoes (Vermelho)
Lundu (Azul)
Trenzinho Da Caipira (Verde)
Alegrinho (Amarelo)
Danca Dos Escravos (Preto)
Salvador (Branco)
Memoria E Fado (Marrom)

Amazon.com

Egberto Gismonti's work is rooted in the very air of his native Brazil, in its convulsive history and rich terrain. Danca dos Escravos, or "Dance of the Slaves," is inspired by the early history of conquest and bondage, with each of his pieces inspired by a narrative of that history. Spanish, Indian, and African elements all fuse in these performances, creating rich weaves of contrapuntal melody and complex rhythms. Gismonti plays only guitars here, rather than his usual mix of guitar and piano, and it focuses the CD, making this perhaps his most beautiful and personal statement. The extended title track is the most striking in a series of works that have both grace and emotional reserves made more poignant by the restraint. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

A very good late 80's album from Gismonti.......2004-12-12

Gismonti has been amazingly prolific in making many great albums from early 70's up to mid 90's.

Typically, his music is somewhat "rough" but very powerfull, emotive, rich, risky and bold during all the 70's. It is mostly acoustic work with many Gismonti's vocals too. It is a little difficult to access because of the complexity; but once you are in, it will stay with you forever. Most of this earlier work is under EMI or lately reissued under Gimsonti's CARMO labels.

The 80's are a transition period from pure acoustic to a mix between acoustic and electric instruments; Gismonti's vocals tend to disapear. Typically, the music becomes less provocative and more polite than earlier Gismonti's work. It is somewhat more civilized and more easy to access. Yet, the music remains highly sophisticated and creative; but with little less (good or bad?) surprise. Lots of these albums are under ECM label.

The 90's are a period where Gismonti's Group was founded. The music move towards more classical style: very polite, distinctive, fluid and elegant. Yet, there is still this amazing creativity, complexity and freshness of all Gismonti's works.
A few movie music albums are part of this period too (Kuarup, Amazonia). They tend to have more electronic effects but they stay into the elegant distinctive spirit of Gismonti's group latest compositions. Most of these albums are under ECM or CARMO labels.

About DANCA DOS ESCRAVOS album, it is a solo acoustic guitar album that is announcing the style of Gismonti Group Orchestra of the 90's. It is very clean and distinctive playing, highly sophisticated with impressive techic as usual with Gismonti. The style, although highly creative, is getting rather polite and very fluid, annoucing the personality of Gismonti's Group.
Please, check any other reviews I made of Gismonti's albums if you wish.

Superb solo guitar.......1998-07-06

Brazilian Egberto Gismonti is one of the greatest masters of the guitar on the planet, and you need look no further for evidence of this than this recording. The color, expressiveness, nuance and virtuosity of his playing is rarely matched, and I have never heard it excelled.