Weight of intention
Elis Regina - Elis
listened: March’23
saved: September’21
released: 1973
This is so cool! The arrangements are so unique and specific. This reminds me of Duke Ellington’s sophistication. Crazy!
“Elis Regina is a Brazilian singer who rose to popularity in the late 60s through the 70s. Elis Regina was one of the most ferociously talented singers to emerge from Brazil. A perfectionist who was frequently dissatisfied, Regina drove herself and members of her band relentlessly, leading to her being dubbed "Hurricane" and "Little Pepper" by musicians and journalists. Her tempestuous nature aside, she commanded the respect of Brazil's leading songwriters, who lined up for the chance to have her record one of their songs, and for much of her short life was the country's most popular female vocalist.” - John Dougan via Allmusic
Some notes from when I listened to this in March 2023:
“I’m loving this! Everything is so perfectly intentional. Absolutely fantastic album, some of the best music I’ve ever heard”
The “weight of intention” is a concept I learned a few years ago. I still don’t know for sure what my teacher meant by this concept, but whenever I engage with art that moves me, I perceive a quality of intention that feels deep.
Elis’s musical director is César Camargo Mariano, her husband at the time. The diversity of emotions and feelings they express during this album is vast. This albums plays almost like a stage show; vivid, vivacious, vibrant, visual. As a listener, you are truly carried away into a story full of twists, turns, and repose.
For as many albums as I’ve heard over the last few years, it’s actually quite rare that I truly want to listen to an album multiple times. The albums that make it to repeat or consistent re-listens are often albums that are agreeable or easy to have on as an ambience. This is not the case for this album. This album is an elite piece of craftsmanship that deserves attention, and yet I’m happy to re-engage over and over.
Listen to this album. And then listen to it again.
