Fernanda Porto Life (release)
Lauro Lisboa Garcia
Anyone who follows the career of the Paulista Fernanda Porto already knows that her musical history did not begin (and does not end) with drum'n'bass. Considered a muse of the genre that propelled her abroad before becoming known in Brazil - and made it possible for her to finally become a celebrity after struggling long to reach that status - the singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist stands out for the personality she imposed on her music through the combination of diversity with quality, and not only for one genre.
Having clarified this issue, it is possible to detect a dynamic quality in her that always results in unexpected offerings. Her première album and DVD for EMI, "Fernanda Porto ao Vivo" (Fernanda Porto Alive), once again reflects a blast of fresh air. The drum'n'bass that prevailed in her first and homonymous CD of 2002 is, as she herself says, the reflection of a period. "I recorded everything alone, I didn't know anyone", she remembers. "It was a great truth of that moment, but I like to remain open to other influences." In her second CD, "Giramundo" (2004), she was already focused in another direction, balancing technology and organic musicality, harmony and distinct Brazilian rhythms, by way of pop-rock. "The mistake rested with those who looked for something that was no longer there".
The current "Fernanda Porto ao Vivo" shows more clearly who she is. Eleven of the nineteen songs on the DVD (14 on the CD) are new, either written by her or by others whom she had never recorded. This is already a difference with regard to the majority of the Brazilian music DVDs in which the singers or groups limit themselves to recording a collection of successes to secure an easy profit. The same applies to her live CDs and to her famous guests.
Fernanda was careful to surround herself not only with talented people, but with those who would be in step with her music; that would talk the same language, but would add their own individuality. This led to the invitation of the pianist Christianne Neves (her partner in the new "Seu Nome na Areia") to be the musical director of the show performed at the well-known São Paulo show place Tom Brasil on a successful night in April 2006. "I've known Christianne for about 20 years and, besides her musicality and her Brazilian touch on the piano, I admire her creativity and discipline. This factor was very important because the band was hired 15 days before the show and we were faced with a very great challenge to organize it."
On stage, Fernanda counts on nearly 30 musicians, including a group of brass instruments and a string quartet, in addition to the Batuntã percussion group from São Paulo that opens and closes the "Baque Virado" and "Viramundo" shows. This adds an additional appeal, not only due to the strength of the percussion instruments, but due to the visual impact of her performance. "It was an honor to play with all these musicians. For me it was a dream", says the singer.
A graduate of Unicamp (University of Campinas) and Clam (Zimbo Trio Music School) and a protagonist of important projects such as the Heartbreakers' Orchestra, Christianne has been in Fernanda's band since 2004. Now she has augmented her participation in the work without, however, imposing her style. The result does not sound like drum'n'bass because it is not electronic, but it is somehow preserved. Both Christianne and Fernanda agree on this.
Hits that projected Fernanda, such as "Só Tinha de Ser com Você" (Tom Jobim/Aloysio de Oliveira), "Tudo de Bom" (Fernanda Porto/Lina de Albuquerque) and "Sambassim" (Fernanda Porto/Alba Carvalho) acquired new garb, but with the comfort of a broken-in shoe. The new songs, including three partnerships with Vitor Bellis ("Simples", "Coco sem Água" and "Saudade Que Eu não Tive"), maintain their prominence because of the strong rhythm with which they are presented. The re-readings of classics by Chico Buarque ("Roda Viva") and Caetano Veloso ("Sampa") also step on softer filigree than the electronic versions made for "Giramundo" and for the collection "São Paulo Fashion Week Vol. 6", respectively.
On the contrary, "Corações a Mil" (Gilberto Gil) lights up the track remixed by the DJ Zé Pedro in the most dissonant electronic track of the project. Edgar Escandurra leaves the mark of his guitar in "Pensamento 4", Fernanda's partnership with Arnaldo Antunes. And the queen of axé music, Daniela Mercury gives her touch of Bahia seasoning to "Tudo de Bom" and "Desde Que o Samba é Samba" (Caetano and Gil) that adds subtle traces of samba-reggae. With this invitation, Fernanda - who also has a foot in the Bahia character as is evident in "Giramundo" - returns the kindness of Daniela, who introduced her to the Carnival of Salvador in 2005.
On her role as interpreter, Fernanda this time also reveals her admiration for the musicians of the group Los Hermanos from Rio, recording a song by Marcelo Camelo ("Samba a Dois"), the most outstanding track of the CD, and another one by Rodrigo Amarante ("Sentimental"). "They are original, very different from each other and I liked their songs very much when I heard them", praises the singer.
Changing recording labels always causes implications in the performance of the artists, either for better or for worse. In this case, Fernanda found space for what she intended, without interference - as, for example, to make this her first live DVD. "I always had liberty to work, but this time there was more dialogue. There is a mutual responsibility. This is important to have. I was welcomed at EMI not only as a singer, but as a person who has a complete musical mind." He who knows, knows. |
