From: steph99 (beleza_at_speakeasy.net)
Date: 2004-05-27 17:45:48
I too have been meaning to go revisit this for you. It is a good album...but I
have to say that her 500 Miles High Live @ Montreux album really blows me away.
Her version of Bahia (Na Baixa Do Sapateiro) is slow, prodding, and spooky as
hell. If you know any incarnations of the original, you know it's a cutesy pie
and completely harmless little ditty...until Flora gets hold of it. Jive Talk
is good, and the Cravo e Canela mashup with Milton Nasciemento making a cameo is
also very nice, if a little on the safe side. I like Open Your Eyes, mostly b/c
the title cut is just so cute, but I between the 2, I'd take 500. Another
FAVORITE of mine is Airto - Free. I don't like to equate Flora and Airto, but
you can't mention one without the other, really. "Lucky Southern" from that
album is a really fun and flawlessly played jazz dance jaunt, and "Flora's Song"
is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard in my life. It has
alto flute doing Indian-influenced melody lines and berimbaus throughout, which
I'm a sucker for. Best heard on a big system on the beach at dusk. Which,
bizarrely, I've actually done...possibly a once-in-a-lifetime thing, but I'm
going for at least 2. =)
The nice thing about Flora and Airto, at least here in the northeast US, is that
you don't have to spend a fortune to explore. I come across these records quite
often, and for very reasonable prices.
Here is a really nice guide to Flora and Airto's careers:
http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Canal/1756/
Also! I've said it before and I'll say it again!! Joe Sixpack's Slipcue site
is ESSENTIAL for educating yourself in anything worth listening to! Go! Go
now!!! But be prepared to get lost for hours. I actually keep certain pages
printed out and in my bag for any time I happen upon the opportunity for some
digging.
http://www.slipcue.com/
On Thu, 27 May 2004, Winston Balfourth wrote:
> One of her best from her Milestone days. Open Your Eyes You Can fly, the
> track is a classic and the album features the likes of Airto, Ron Carter and
> George Duke. Perhaps it would be better if you got the BGP Milestone
> Memories compilation which features Vera Cruz, Samba Michel, What Can I say
> and other stellar Flora milestone tracks. Amazon UK have it. If you can also
> get the track "From the lonely afternoon" then you'll be a happy man, one of
> my favourite Flora tracks.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Carl Barimore [mailto:carl_at_stirtloe.fsnet.co.uk]
> Sent: 25 May 2004 22:51
> To: AJ List
> Subject: [acid-jazz] Flora Purim- Open Your Eyes You Can Fly
>
>
> An old one this, I've been recommended it but there's scant info on the www.
> Any one have any opinions on it? Did she do better stuff?
>
>
>
>
>
>
In the Northeast, rhythm is God dehydrated. - Tom Zé
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Quem te mostrou a beleza Who taught you the beauty
De dançar dentro da briga? Of dancing within the fight?
www.beleza-music.org
Axé!
-99-
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