From: owner-basia-digest@smoe.org (basia-digest) To: basia-digest@smoe.org Subject: basia-digest V5 #86 Reply-To: basia@smoe.org Sender: owner-basia-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-basia-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk X-To-Unsubscribe: Send mail to "basia-digest-request@smoe.org" X-To-Unsubscribe: with "unsubscribe" as the body. basia-digest Tuesday, August 1 2000 Volume 05 : Number 086 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Basia-Lettau Lines [Denis Naranjo ] Basia-Lettau Lines [Denis Naranjo ] Basia-Lettau Lines [Denis Naranjo ] Server glitch [Denis Naranjo ] RE: keys on strike ["Brian Cundieff" ] Re: Kevyn Lettau [jp ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 09:10:51 -0700 From: Denis Naranjo Subject: Basia-Lettau Lines jp wrote: > > At 12:24 AM 7/29/00 -0400, you wrote: > > >I am sure we have talked about Kevyn Lettau before, but is anyone out there > >a fan of hers? > I don't think we have. I had forgotten about her, but your note prompted me > to listen to the two CDs I have by her - "Brazil Jazz" and "Another Season" > both bought 4-5 years ago in the US. I like her, but find she captures more > of the true Brazilian "saudade" - almost a mournful - or at least wistful - > sound. I find Basia more upbeat - not faster - but happier - more like > Cuban or Puerto Rican music, although she uses rhythms that are more > Brazilian. > > There's a movie out - "Bossa Nova" - a romantic comedy dedicated to Tom > Jobim, a much discussed Basia influence. It's filled with his music and > lots of great scenes of Rio. But be prepared - at least half the movie is > in portuguese with (US version) English subtitles. > > Jacki - how was the honeymoon? > un abrazo, > juan Basia fans, Juan, you're descriptive but short of the whole picture between Basia and Kevyn Lettau. First, Basia has a psuedo-latin sound...it's pop, nearly a Carmen Miranda type hybrid. Still her vocal texture is extraordinary, the inflections vibrant and the musicality uplifting in a trans Warsaw/London/New York vibrato. 2nd, Kevyn's songs are authentic as her Portuguese is impeccable. You should know/remember in her formative career Lettau spent eight fruitful years with the one and only Sergio Mendes. This opened up a world of varied Brazilian styles that followed on her solo recordings. Lettau's Brazilian influence is far more substantive and lived. And I'm not sure "saudade" is the appropriate term. As with Basia, I've seen Kevyn live several times and her Brazilian sides are far beyond merely wistful or mournful. 3rd, thus it would be hard for Basia, or anyone else, to bring those same Brazilian experiences to their recordings without tutelage from a leader like Mendes. I acknowledge heartily Basia's fondness for Astrud Gilberto, Djavan, Jobim, but it's not the same experience. Like Lettau, singer Dianne Reeves, another Mendes alumna w/a sensational voice and a wide flexible horizon, brings a similar quality to her Brazilian selections. 4th, both Basia (Poland) and Lettau (Germany) were raised in Europe, grew to appreciate jazz/R&B/soul voicings from Ella to Aretha, and to this day still boast rave followings in many Euro cities. Comparing Basia and Lettau's individuality and sound boasts impressive dynamics, but still are exclusive nonetheless. Basia's music is driven by an accessible variable mix of pop-R&B-jazz artfully packaged into one, more destined for widespread appeal. 5th, Larry Lipman's recent post stated, >I didn't think anyone else on the planet knew of Kevyn Lettau... >Really enjoyed a few of her early albums...then she fell apart... >sad really, since she had some interesting, fresh sounds... Kevyn never "fell apart". She's continued to change/explore new directions. Plus, and unfortunately, she was a casualty of a contract settlement with JVC Musical Industries, which isn't in the record business anymore--it was they who fell apart. As her acclaim in Japan (and European) shows an undiminished popularity and fan base, it's only natural artists like her produce releases from abroad where recording quagmires aren't nearly as problematic. Lastly I should re-emphasize, like everyone else, I'm a huge Basia fan and supporter (interviewed her twice, met her three times) having seen five concerts since '89. Like everyone else, I adore everything about her artistry except for her CD release schedule, which appears 2B one of the world's best kept secrets. For me, Lettau and Basia are voices for disparate audiences. Thankfully for us all they embrace and are in debted to American jazz, which underscores each of their expansive musical foundations. At the same time, it's rewarding to appreciate what they both have to offer whether or not you like them for similar reasons. CD releases or not, there's no comparison to a live performance and both Basia and Lettau have thoroughly won me over for many different reasons. Always great to read impressions by others on this list. Denis ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 09:12:12 -0700 From: Denis Naranjo Subject: Basia-Lettau Lines jp wrote: > > At 12:24 AM 7/29/00 -0400, you wrote: > > >I am sure we have talked about Kevyn Lettau before, but is anyone out there > >a fan of hers? > I don't think we have. I had forgotten about her, but your note prompted me > to listen to the two CDs I have by her - "Brazil Jazz" and "Another Season" > both bought 4-5 years ago in the US. I like her, but find she captures more > of the true Brazilian "saudade" - almost a mournful - or at least wistful - > sound. I find Basia more upbeat - not faster - but happier - more like > Cuban or Puerto Rican music, although she uses rhythms that are more > Brazilian. > > There's a movie out - "Bossa Nova" - a romantic comedy dedicated to Tom > Jobim, a much discussed Basia influence. It's filled with his music and > lots of great scenes of Rio. But be prepared - at least half the movie is > in portuguese with (US version) English subtitles. > > Jacki - how was the honeymoon? > un abrazo, > juan Basia fans, Juan, you're descriptive but short of the whole picture between Basia and Kevyn Lettau. First, Basia has a psuedo-latin sound...it's pop, nearly a Carmen Miranda type hybrid. Still her vocal texture is extraordinary, the inflections vibrant and the musicality uplifting in a trans Warsaw/London/New York vibrato. 2nd, Kevyn's songs are authentic as her Portuguese is impeccable. You should know/remember in her formative career Lettau spent eight fruitful years with the one and only Sergio Mendes. This opened up a world of varied Brazilian styles that followed on her solo recordings. Lettau's Brazilian influence is far more substantive and lived. And I'm not sure "saudade" is the appropriate term. As with Basia, I've seen Kevyn live several times and her Brazilian sides are far beyond merely wistful or mournful. 3rd, thus it would be hard for Basia, or anyone else, to bring those same Brazilian experiences to their recordings without tutelage from a leader like Mendes. I acknowledge heartily Basia's fondness for Astrud Gilberto, Djavan, Jobim, but it's not the same experience. Like Lettau, singer Dianne Reeves, another Mendes alumna w/a sensational voice and a wide flexible horizon, brings a similar quality to her Brazilian selections. 4th, both Basia (Poland) and Lettau (Germany) were raised in Europe, grew to appreciate jazz/R&B/soul voicings from Ella to Aretha, and to this day still boast rave followings in many Euro cities. Comparing Basia and Lettau's individuality and sound boasts impressive dynamics, but still are exclusive nonetheless. Basia's music is driven by an accessible variable mix of pop-R&B-jazz artfully packaged into one, more destined for widespread appeal. 5th, Larry Lipman's recent post stated, >I didn't think anyone else on the planet knew of Kevyn Lettau... >Really enjoyed a few of her early albums...then she fell apart... >sad really, since she had some interesting, fresh sounds... Kevyn never "fell apart". She's continued to change/explore new directions. Plus, and unfortunately, she was a casualty of a contract settlement with JVC Musical Industries, which isn't in the record business anymore--it was they who fell apart. As her acclaim in Japan (and European) shows an undiminished popularity and fan base, it's only natural artists like her produce releases from abroad where recording quagmires aren't nearly as problematic. Lastly I should re-emphasize, like everyone else, I'm a huge Basia fan and supporter (interviewed her twice, met her three times) having seen five concerts since '89. Like everyone else, I adore everything about her artistry except for her CD release schedule, which appears 2B one of the world's best kept secrets. For me, Lettau and Basia are voices for disparate audiences. Thankfully for us all they embrace and are in debted to American jazz, which underscores each of their expansive musical foundations. At the same time, it's rewarding to appreciate what they both have to offer whether or not you like them for similar reasons. CD releases or not, there's no comparison to a live performance and both Basia and Lettau have thoroughly won me over for many different reasons. Always great to read impressions by others on this list. Denis ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 09:12:32 -0700 From: Denis Naranjo Subject: Basia-Lettau Lines jp wrote: > > At 12:24 AM 7/29/00 -0400, you wrote: > > >I am sure we have talked about Kevyn Lettau before, but is anyone out there > >a fan of hers? > I don't think we have. I had forgotten about her, but your note prompted me > to listen to the two CDs I have by her - "Brazil Jazz" and "Another Season" > both bought 4-5 years ago in the US. I like her, but find she captures more > of the true Brazilian "saudade" - almost a mournful - or at least wistful - > sound. I find Basia more upbeat - not faster - but happier - more like > Cuban or Puerto Rican music, although she uses rhythms that are more > Brazilian. > > There's a movie out - "Bossa Nova" - a romantic comedy dedicated to Tom > Jobim, a much discussed Basia influence. It's filled with his music and > lots of great scenes of Rio. But be prepared - at least half the movie is > in portuguese with (US version) English subtitles. > > Jacki - how was the honeymoon? > un abrazo, > juan Basia fans, Juan, you're descriptive but short of the whole picture between Basia and Kevyn Lettau. First, Basia has a psuedo-latin sound...it's pop, nearly a Carmen Miranda type hybrid. Still her vocal texture is extraordinary, the inflections vibrant and the musicality uplifting in a trans Warsaw/London/New York vibrato. 2nd, Kevyn's songs are authentic as her Portuguese is impeccable. You should know/remember in her formative career Lettau spent eight fruitful years with the one and only Sergio Mendes. This opened up a world of varied Brazilian styles that followed on her solo recordings. Lettau's Brazilian influence is far more substantive and lived. And I'm not sure "saudade" is the appropriate term. As with Basia, I've seen Kevyn live several times and her Brazilian sides are far beyond merely wistful or mournful. 3rd, thus it would be hard for Basia, or anyone else, to bring those same Brazilian experiences to their recordings without tutelage from a leader like Mendes. I acknowledge heartily Basia's fondness for Astrud Gilberto, Djavan, Jobim, but it's not the same experience. Like Lettau, singer Dianne Reeves, another Mendes alumna w/a sensational voice and a wide flexible horizon, brings a similar quality to her Brazilian selections. 4th, both Basia (Poland) and Lettau (Germany) were raised in Europe, grew to appreciate jazz/R&B/soul voicings from Ella to Aretha, and to this day still boast rave followings in many Euro cities. Comparing Basia and Lettau's individuality and sound boasts impressive dynamics, but still are exclusive nonetheless. Basia's music is driven by an accessible variable mix of pop-R&B-jazz artfully packaged into one, more destined for widespread appeal. 5th, Larry Lipman's recent post stated, >I didn't think anyone else on the planet knew of Kevyn Lettau... >Really enjoyed a few of her early albums...then she fell apart... >sad really, since she had some interesting, fresh sounds... Kevyn never "fell apart". She's continued to change/explore new directions. Plus, and unfortunately, she was a casualty of a contract settlement with JVC Musical Industries, which isn't in the record business anymore--it was they who fell apart. As her acclaim in Japan (and European) shows an undiminished popularity and fan base, it's only natural artists like her produce releases from abroad where recording quagmires aren't nearly as problematic. Lastly I should re-emphasize, like everyone else, I'm a huge Basia fan and supporter (interviewed her twice, met her three times) having seen five concerts since '89. Like everyone else, I adore everything about her artistry except for her CD release schedule, which appears 2B one of the world's best kept secrets. For me, Lettau and Basia are voices for disparate audiences. Thankfully for us all they embrace and are in debted to American jazz, which underscores each of their expansive musical foundations. At the same time, it's rewarding to appreciate what they both have to offer whether or not you like them for similar reasons. CD releases or not, there's no comparison to a live performance and both Basia and Lettau have thoroughly won me over for many different reasons. Always great to read impressions by others on this list. Denis ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 09:28:48 -0700 From: Denis Naranjo Subject: Server glitch very sorry for the duplicate messages. a server transmission somehow multiplied my send, i've been told. Denis ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 22:57:55 +0900 From: "Brian Cundieff" Subject: RE: keys on strike > From: owner-basia@smoe.org [mailto:owner-basia@smoe.org]On Behalf Of > Stephen Ylvisaker > Sent: Friday, July 28, 2000 9:37 PM > >(Who's having a nervous breakdown because his hyphen, six, > "Home," "F4," and > >"F2" keys have all gone on strike. ARRRRRRRGHH!!) > > Brian, > So what did you spill on your keyboard? :-) CRUSH! KILL! DESTROY! ;[insert hyphen nose here]) Well, I guess I spilled Japan on it. My home and workplaces are really dusty, so I'm hoping that's all it is. My old TI laptop was designed to allow easy access under the keyboard for cleaning. Not so my VAIO, which cost three times as much and I've only had for a year... Grrrr... Oh, this isn't really relevant, is it. ...Uhhh... I'm listening to Sweetest Illusion on my CD[hyphen]ROM to calm down. By the way, Ben, if you're listening, is the Basia video CD[hyphen]ROM still available? How close is that second disc to being finished? [hyphen]Brian* ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 13:15:22 -0400 From: jp Subject: Re: Kevyn Lettau At 03:39 PM 7/30/00 -0500, you wrote: > >I didn't think anyone else on the planet knew of Kevyn Lettau... >Really enjoyed a few of her early albums...then she fell apart... >sad really, since she had some interesting, fresh sounds... > LL > What do you mean? This is the most hip list on the net. Ha. un abrazo, juan - -----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK----- Version: PGPfreeware 6.5.3 for non-commercial use mQGiBDmDcQoRBADQhNPKDxhrOFLzS+yGR61d3EfyiWfaat8oX/VG5NFG9uf2z/Bs YUotp4cwIZUjgEYZ5ak+ysn25rDSuxHhI//nPA+dttK2WvXUTFvkZfTP2uV6Y4af dhLZ4VWFEHQftzH1XtYc2gkY5SdAGZJutSt1IJIAa0yCCBxHVvZC/oZhfwCg/65G Xb4sBsIsjo1wOm3slY8mtG8EAMr6Mv9Zv4Ah3ddLIxTQOUydgoBEzLBPp3dy13zg qneyvmeOi3QtKWrF1qw5pPcsewN0sygivV1LmHq7Nc1WiYRoVzJkyJhfbjaaNuI6 0YU7y4Fk9BS/QNcQAsPfQtTQVmieulpLrhxaqU7lJkMTX5BoTNo45HTADuagIuJG mFm+BACQ8AXRXiZyRnGk4VmVuNKayuAudINyJbssa9UGKXuYPqMCURklU3wfkGhy Q5aAqZKhff2OK8dyvndWRhVzDwu1sYo1sMreSlIjjo5AfAV4hcUMMcwX7vQK5C+D 7nMtdKP8hzej3mdun2tBwHwRrGR+xaMgyIGJfYHE3hX+SqV7+bQiSnVhbiBQYXhl dHkgPHBheGV0eUBiZWxsc291dGgubmV0PokATgQQEQIADgUCOYNxCgQLAwIBAhkB AAoJELHeW0+c791U9OQAoLZzf4aTNBWQkBrm69duyNJzTX2tAKCL/DEWWp+eD9TL yKuBt65LQU4Yp7kCDQQ5g3EKEAgA9kJXtwh/CBdyorrWqULzBej5UxE5T7bxbrlL OCDaAadWoxTpj0BV89AHxstDqZSt90xkhkn4DIO9ZekX1KHTUPj1WV/cdlJPPT2N 286Z4VeSWc39uK50T8X8dryDxUcwYc58yWb/Ffm7/ZFexwGq01uejaClcjrUGvC/ RgBYK+X0iP1YTknbzSC0neSRBzZrM2w4DUUdD3yIsxx8Wy2O9vPJI8BD8KVbGI2O u1WMuF040zT9fBdXQ6MdGGzeMyEstSr/POGxKUAYEY18hKcKctaGxAMZyAcpesqV DNmWn6vQClCbAkbTCD1mpF1Bn5x8vYlLIhkmuquiXsNV6TILOwACAggA4vE7Tc7p 5x4JaiJmH/TTpXObJVn9PnmA+2P6Mj3qBvv8d9ssYCptE/Vs9yHdnuMIngSmvyY0 CCrcPAqsMGwyS4FZRJ1BstUG+D2qf4SWtXpzjYnR3rpvvnR1vXUlcFFBSVYjWYoj /fuIdWwwK1MLr/QYiXHMkg7fkVRCoGlB6cBK1vZ+qhY7wLrFTfoCX9KJJ2etqP2W i8ZkyJd8b0o7pW+KIqwoU3I1i/oZmWzK44IJHQDgh5uLREuLry1fORvr0t37iYGD EBVp7U13IW81QVmzd9krzxCVH4pLepnisXoO3PrBx1jeIMwbEJ4K/WvzYWzQGbWI NGV+QKcHofs6ZYkARgQYEQIABgUCOYNxCgAKCRCx3ltPnO/dVIxUAKDvQI+xuR+m G6ndG/iN3NLwXsbRjACbBEdqck7zVNs9/dppZrYh1zbX2sg= =5vIy - -----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK----- ------------------------------ End of basia-digest V5 #86 **************************