Considering the overwhelming number of ‘best of’ and compilation CDs centered on Elis Regina’s meteoric career, its easy to see how this one might be overlooked. But if you’ve been searching for an all-encompassing album of her classic hits, look no further.
The 20 songs that make up ‘Little Pepper – The Definitive Collection’ easily live up to the title’s billing, and while the liner notes are a bit sparse, don’t worry: In its 77 minutes, the music gives you everything you need here.
‘Little Pepper’ was one Regina’s nicknames – given to her because of the mood swings that propelled great emotion into her music. You can hear its effects in each of these songs – listen to it pour forth on love ballads like ‘Atrás da Porta’ (Close The Door), or ‘Dois Pra La, Dois Pra Ca’. There’s the sheer joy of ‘Madelana’ and ‘Aguas de Março’ (Waters of March), Southern Brazilian pride on ‘Casa No Campo’ and bittersweet reflection on the medley of ‘Aquarela Do Brasil/Nega Do Caelo Duro’. You’ll soon understand how Elis Regina’s talent surpassed the barriers of language and culture to make her a well known star worldwide: In the 1970’s that’s a feat worthy of merit, and – for the times - unusual in any language other than English and nearly unique in the rich world of Brazilian music.
Great songs for a great singer come from great songwriters, and these composers are among the best Brazil could offer: Antonio Carlos Jobim. Ary Barroso, Ivan Lins, Joao Bosco and Aldir Blanc, Milton Nascimento and Chico Buarque help to make this ‘who’s who’ list a special one.
There are other Elis Regina collections worthy of your listening time – we carry the best ones here at Connectbrazil.com – but this five-star CD earns our seal of approval for its superb content and track ordering, both of which will satisfy long time fans of this Brazilian legend as well as the newly introduced.
