Like many Brazilian stars of the bossa nova era, singer Claudette Soares first broke into show business as a radio singer in the 1950s, recording her first single in 1958, although her first LP didn't come out until several years later. Highly regarded, though not as famous as other divas of the era, Soares is perhaps best known for her series of duets with singer-pianist Dick Farney in the 1970s. Here's a quick look at her work...
Claudette Soares & Dick Farney "Dois-Em-Um: Tudo Isto E Amor, v.1-2" (EMI, 2001)
A twofer reissue of her popular 1970's duets albums cut with old-school crooner Dick Farney... Corny but cool.
Claudette Soares "E Dona Da Bossa" (Mocambo, 1964)
Claudette Soares/Jongo Trio/Taiguara "Primeiro Tempo 5x0" (Philips, 1966)
Claudette Soares "Claudette Soares" (Philips, 1967)
Claudette Soares "Gil, Chico E Veloso Por Claudette Soares" (Philips, 1968) (LP)
(Produced by Rogerio Duprat)
I have to confess, I'm not a huge fan of this album, although it has a lot of "hip" elements that should make it more appealing... This is her big tropicalia album, covering the then-new and still-revolutionary songs of Chico Buarque, Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso. The album's produced by tropicalia's sonic architect, maestro Rogerio Duprat, and you can certainly hear his style in the mix -- indeed, many of these arrangements are rehashes of versions recorded elsewhere, with galloping rhythms, and electric hippie-delic guitars mixing with swooping, avantish classical-y orchestrations. This is one of Duprat's less convincing efforts, though -- he seems to have poured the real juice into other albums -- and Soares isn't totally suited to the style. A bit formal and old-fashioned herself, she's more a mix of old-school boleros'n'bossa (ala Dolores Duran) and feisty bossa-jazz, (ala Elis Regina.) It's not an unpleasant record, by any means, but it's not a mind-blower, either, and certainly not a major psychedelic freak-fest, as you might imagine. I guess the North American equivalent might be if Eydie Gorme had recorded an album of, oh I dunno, covers of rock songs by the Byrds, Beatles and Stones, and Joe Boyd had been called in to polish it up a bit. It's okay. Perhaps the most noteworthy tracks are a couple of zippy duets with Gilberto Gil, where he gets into a swinging mood. Certainly worth checking out.
Claudette Soares "Claudette Soares" (Philips, 1969)
Claudette Soares "Quem Nao E A Maior Tem Que Ser A Melhor" (Philips, 1969)
Claudette Soares "Claudette 3" (Philips, 1970) (LP)
Claudette Soares "De Tanto Amor" (Philips, 1971) (LP)
Claudette Soares "Voce" (EMI-Odeon, 1974)
Claudette Soares "Fiz Do Amor Meu Canto" (EMI-Odeon, 1976) (LP)
Claudette Soares & Dick Farney "Tudo Isto E Amor - Dick E Claudette" (Odeon, 1976)
Y'know, even though the musical style itself is super-cheesy, this is a remarkable and compelling recording. Pop legend Dick Farney's rapport with duet partner Soares is palpable throughout, and the production is a solid, un-ironic celebration of this type of soft, romantic pop vocals. Recommended!
Claudette Soares & Dick Farney "Tudo Isso E Amor, v.2" (EMI-Odeon, 1977)
Claudette Soares "Vida Real" (Imagem/Movieplay, 1995)
Claudette Soares "A Dona Do Bossa: Ao Vivo" (Som Livre, 2000)
Claudette Soares & Leandro Braga "Claudette Soares & Leandro Braga" (CIA, 2002)
Claudette Soares "Foi A Noite" (Lua Musica, 2007)
A tribute to Tom Jobim and Silvinha Telles...
