Evinha (who also recorded under the name "Eva") was a member of the jovem guarda-era vocal group Trio Esperanca, where she crafted sweet harmonies with her sister Regina and brother Mario. While Trio Esperanca was a great group, the family talent ran even deeper than that: their brothers -- Renato, Roberto and Ronaldo -- were also jovem guarda stars, recording as The Golden Boys in the late 1960s and early '70s. Evinha had a successful solo career, recording several albums, often with the assistance of her brother, '70s songwriter and producer Renato Correa. Evinha was replaced in the Trio by a fourth sister, but later rejoined the group in the 1990s. Here's a quick look at her work...
Evinha "Eva 2001" (EMI-Odeon, 1969)
(Produced by Milton Miranda, Lyrio Panilcali & Renato Correa)
A sweet, slightly sappy set of sunshine-y soft-pop, with Evinha setting out on her solo career. I love her voice, although the arrangements are a little cloying and cutesy. It's very much in keeping with the soft-pop sounds of the era, not just in Brazil, but in the US and Europe as well, with gentle horn arrangements, mellow rock-pop rhythms and an occasional marimba riff that Herb Alpert would be proud to call his own... The song selection is intriguing: several from her brother Roberto Correa, a couple by Marco Valle and a couple by jazz pianist Antonio Adolfo, who may have played on these sessions (although the liner notes don't indicate that he did...) The pop sound provided by the EMI crew isn't very challenging, but in some ways that's a good thing -- it has a modern feel but doesn't go way out into the avantnik goofiness of Rogerio Duprat and the tropicalistas... Mostly it's just a nice, simple, uncomplicated frame for Evinha's sweet vocals, and I really do love her youthful, girlish voice. Definitely worth a spin.
Evinha "Eva" (EMI-Odeon, 1970)
Evinha "Cartao Postal" (EMI-Odeon, 1971) (LP)
A pleasant, if relatively pedestrian, solo album from a member of the Trio Esperanca vocal group. This album, with ambitious pop-vocals by Orlando Silveira and Geraldo Vespar, largely lacks the simplicity and naifishness that made the Esperanca recordings so sweet... It's nice, if you're into brightly orchestrated "sunshine pop" and there are some kooky musical ideas and fine vocal phrasing... But it didn't quite grab me; a little too close to Olivia Newton-John/Roberta Flack territory for me, a little too stuck in the "square" sensibilities of the major-label pop world, despite a repertoire that includes songs from some fairly hip rock/MPB composers.
Evinha "Evinha" (EMI-Odeon, 1973) (LP)
In contrast, I like this album a lot -- the arrangements are a lot tighter, and denser, and more intense, with a hint of the brooding power of "serious" MPB artists such as Chico Buarque, et al. Many of the same composers are represented here -- Renato Correa, Erasmo Carlos -- as well as a few songs from newcomer Ze Rodrix and his crew... Overall, this just seems like a stronger, more tightly focussed album, the music is inventive and her voice is confident and appealing. It's a cool record -- worth tracking down!
Eva "Eva" (EMI-Odeon, 1974)
(Produced by Milton Miranda, Maesto Gaya & Renato Correa)
This later album features disco-era pop vocals, with a light touch of soul. You could as easily make a case for her having become a Brazilian Olivia Newton John as you could claim her as a South American soul sister (as many websites have). Mainly this is fairly kitschy (I refer you to Exhibit A: her English-language disco update of "Moon River...") And yet, there is something oddly appealing to this album, in much the same way you might find yourself humming a David Gates & Bread song once in a while... She did have a nice voice, and as usual there are few songs were written by her brother, Renato Correa, as well as one by rocker Luiz Vagner.
Evinha "Reencontro" (Polygram, 1999)
Evinha "Retratos" (EMI, 2004)
Evinha & Trio Esperanca "Millennium" (Universal, 1999)
Includes some of Evinha's solo hits, as well as her work with the family band...
