Solo in Rio 1959

by Luiz Bonfa

Overview

Solo in Rio 1959 stands as a classic in the massive Luiz Bonfa catalog. Originally issued on the Cook label -- named for its owner, famed audio engineer Emory Cook -- it remained a favorite of the guitarist's throughout his lifetime. The Emory Cook Collection is housed and managed by the Smithsonian and as such, Folkways is able to re-release this masterpiece on CD with many added treasures -- there is an additional half-hour of music on the CD. The original featured 17 cuts. The new version contains 32, including an early version of "Samba de Orfeu." While it is true that it is the guitarist and composer's most famous composition and he recorded it many times, this is the only one on solo guitar. This is the first time it appears anywhere. Also included are two versions of the celebrated "Manha de Carnaval." The second read is a more up-tempo and shorter version that is breathless in its beauty. Other well-known Bonfa compositions that have alternates here are "Perdido de Amor," "Sambolero," "Quebra Maer," and "Luzes do Rio." Another gem is the startling "Prelude to an Adventure in Space," with its hard swinging samba that transmutes into a dirge-like bolero on a dime. Solo in Rio 1959 offers an early hearing of Bonfa as fully developed, in possession of a stunning range of styles and techniques, all of them employable in the service of the song. The deep lyricism and harmonic richness of Bonfa's playing is unlike anything else before or since. Solo in Rio 1959 is a historic release, and one that will hopefully alert an entirely new generation to the work of this master of the guitar. In addition to the beautifully remastered music in this package, there is a fine biographical and musicological essay by Anthony Weller. ~ Thom Jurek

Product Details

Release Date:	02/22/2005
Label:	Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
UPC:	0093074048320
Rank:	35367

Tracks

1. Pernambuco
2. Night and Day
3. Shearing
4. Sambolero
5. Calypso Minor
6. Uma Prece
7. Bonfabuloso
8. Quebra Mar
9. Luzes do Rio
10. Perdido de Amor
11. Manh¿¿ de Carnaval
12. Amor Sem Adeus
13. Varia¿¿¿¿es em Viol¿¿o
14. Seringueiro
15. Chopin
16. Na Baiza do Sapateiro
17. Murder
18. A Brazilian in New York
19. Prelude to Adventure in Space
20. Tenderly
21. Blue Madrid
22. Marcha Escocesa
23. Fanfarra (Fanfare)
24. Samba de Orfeu
25. Manh¿¿ de Carnaval 2
26. Perdido de Amor 2
27. Sambolero 2
28. Quebra Mar 2
29. Seringueiro Excerpt
30. Seringueiro 2
31. Luzes do Rio 2

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Luiz Bonfa   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Jeff Place   Archivist
Anthony Weller   Annotation,Liner Notes,Text
Malcolm Addey   Mastering
Mike Wollman   Cover Photo
Emery Cook   Engineer
Jacob Love   Editorial Assistant
Mary Monseur   Production Coordination
Carla Borden   Editing
John "BJ John" Smith   Marketing
Emily Gremlich   Production Assistant
Norman van der Sluys   Audio Engineer
Eduardo Muszkat   Direction,Adaptation
Luiz Novaes Bonfa   Photography
Helen Lindsay   Audio Technician
Daniel Sheehy   Production Supervisor
Sonya Cohen Cramer   Design,Layout Design
Mark Gustafson   Marketing
Jack Lawrence   Composer
Cole Porter   Composer
Luiz Bonfa   Composer
Walter Gross   Composer
Pete Reiniger   Digital Editing,Sound Supervision
Roberto Ruiz   Project Coordinator
Ary Barroso   Composer
Dan Sheehy   Production Supervisor
Antonio Carlos Jobim   Composer
D.A. Sonneborn   Production Supervisor
Richard James Burgess   Marketing