Looking back at a trend-setting album for Brazilian piano jazz
Eliane Elias’s A Long Story revealed a new role for the piano as part of her musical vision. This 1991 album remains a Brazilian jazz favorite.
Originally published by Connect Brazil, January 4, 1992
Eliane Elias’s A Long Story: review
This album was Elias’s sixth as a solo artist. It opened up a new chapter for the Brazilian piano and its place in contemporary jazz. In fact, so much so that it sat atop the Radio & Records (R&R) jazz charts for most of December 1991.
This in itself is no great surprise. Each of her recordings has earned a #1 ranking, including her previous album So Far So Close. But this album is a marked change of musical direction for the Sao Paulo-born Elias.
In the two years leading up to A Long Story, Eliane Elias nurtured a new, more substantial jazz sound. And she did this while retaining her unique perspective on Brazilian music.
In fact, these ten songs show a different side of the maturity shown on her previous album, Eliane Elias Plays Jobim.
That’s not to say that Eliane Elias has ever lacked serious talent behind the keyboard of a piano or synthesizer. Or that her signature fondness for beautiful chanted vocals is anything but the icing on the cake.
Eliane Elias’s A Long Story takes these skills to a higher level. This is Elias in pursuit of her vision of contemporary Brazilian jazz.
Songs like ‘Horizonte’, ‘Life Goes On’ and ‘A Long Story’ speak to this maturity. They are sure to become mainstays on The Sounds of Brazil’s playlists.
These tonal themes unfold gracefully, giving us aural insight into her personal Brazil.
Jazzier tracks? ‘Just Kidding’ and ‘Just For You’ create a sense of unhurried emotion that weaves throughout the album.
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A Long Story by Eliane Elias: tracklist and personnel
01. Back In Time
02. A Long Story
03. Horizonte
04. Just Kidding
05. Life Goes On
06. The Nile
07. Get It
08. Just For You
09. Karamuru
10. Let Me Go
Personnel: Eliane Elias (vocals, piano, synthesizer). Mark Ledford (vocals); Bob Berg (tenor saxophone). Jon Herrington (guitar), Marc Johnson, Lincoln Goines, Anthony Jackson, Jeff Andrews (bass). Peter Erskine, Dave Weckl (drums), Othello Molineaux (steel drums), Mino Cinelu (percussion),. Jim Beard (programming).
Produced by Eliane Elias and Jim Beard. Recorded 1991 at Skyline Studios, Power Station and RPM Studios, New York, New York.
Eliane Elias’s A Long Story
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