Elis Catharsis

One of Elis Regina's many qualities was her searching for new composer talent. In this album she recorded two songs from one of her findings, Renato Teixeira. Renato earned his living as a jingle writer when this Elis' recording of 'Romaria' launched him to become one of Brazil's better known singers/writers. The song was a hit and quickly became a Brazilian standard.
The other song by Teixeira, however, was unjustly forgotten, having been recorded only by the author (afaik) besides this record. It's 'Sentimental Eu Fico', a fantastic song with amazing lyrics, here receiving no less wonderful arrangement by Cesar Camargo Mariano and, of course, singing by Elis…

Antonio Carlos Jobim & Elis Regina - Elis & Tom (1974) {Verve Originals Series, B0011296-02 rel 2008}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 215 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 92 Mb | Artwork | 5% repair rar
© 1974, 2008 Philips / Verve / Universal | B0011296-02
Jazz / Bossa Nova / Brazilian Jazz / MPB

An incredible album – and a landmark session that showed that the bossa nova was still alive and well in the 1970s! The album pairs the breathy jazz vocals of Elis Regina with the booze-soaked warmth of Antonio Carlos Jobim – in a set of spare arrangements that feature a lot of touches from Cesar Carmargo Mariano, whose work on Elis Regina's 70s sessions is still the stuff of legend! Elis' vocals dominate, but when Tom comes in, the result is even more spectacular – especially given the generally light instrumentation used on most tracks – which means that the vocals carry the bulk of the sound on the set!

This beautiful – and now legendary – recording date between iconic Brazilian vocalist Elis Regina and composer, conductor, and arranger Tom Jobim is widely regarded as one of the greatest Brazilian pop recordings. It is nearly ubiquitous among Brazilians as a household item. Regina's voice is among the most loved in the history of Brazilian music. Her range and acuity, her unique phrasing, and her rainbow of emotional colors are literally unmatched, and no matter the tune or arrangement, she employs most of them on these 16 cuts.

Arguably Elis Regina's best early album, 1968's Elis Especial has her accompanied by an uncredited, relentlessly swinging piano trio. The sound quality could be better, but by the end of the first song "Samba do Perado," you won't care anymore - you'll be blissfully tapping your foot. Also included are two lengthy tributes, one to Tom Jobim and the second to the Rio neighborhood of Mangueira.

Elis Regina, a cool, feminine Brazilian singer who died tragically of cocaine/alcohol poisoning at age 36, made this often deeply affecting album with Antonio Carlos Jobim in Los Angeles for the Brazilian market only; it was not released in the U.S. until 1989. While there is plenty of bossa nova here, the arrangements at times reflect the more cinematic, more inward directions that Jobim's music was taking, and the lyrics often speak even more harrowingly of heartbreak than ever. Yet this pair can also celebrate Jobim's music, as they do in a rendition of "Aguas de Marco" that nearly collapses in unself-conscious laughter. Throughout, Regina is in the spotlight, with Jobim a supporting, sometimes invisible but always pervasive presence.

Review: ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide

Honeysuckle Rose / Aquarela Do Brasil is a 1969 bossa nova-style jazz album by Elis Regina and Toots Thielemans on the Fontana Special sublabel of Philips Records. Release number is 6424 088. It features the Elis Cinque quintet, in a lineup with Toots Thielemans (guitar and harmonica), Elis Regina (vocals), Antonio Adolfo (piano), Roberto Menescal (guitar) and Wilson das Neves (percussion).