Customer Rating:  
Summary: The Best of Caetano Veloso
Comment: The song selection on this CD had very limited variety. It was a disappointing selection, to say the least. I had expectations that his music would be much more interesting - but it lacked depth and was a poor choice on my part. Dale Brookins
Customer Rating:
Summary: Love at first sound...
Comment: Let me say this: "Cucurrucucu Paloma" was a song I couldn't stand until I heard Caetano Veloso's interpretation of it in the movie "Talk to Her" (great film, by the way). I ended up purchasing the film's soundtrack just to hear it again. Then I found this CD in a store. In my opinion, it's worth its weight in diamonds. What a great way to get acquainted with Caetano Veloso's vast artistic range! Wahtever the music style, or language, this man sings with his soul. Someone called this CD "uneven". I guess it is - if what one expects is one similar song after another... I'd rather say it's a perfect sampler of Veloso's incredible versatility.
Customer Rating:
Summary: uneven, and not what it claims to be
Comment: This CD is actually a compilation of stuff recorded between 1992 and 2001, hardly the "best of" for an artist who has been recording since the 1960s. The liner notes are by David Byrne, but it seems from the credits that David Byrne did not actually choose the songs.
Overall the CD is torn between a bland "World Music" esthetic, and a more pensive bossa-nova sound. There are good songs on this CD, but I'm giving it 2 stars because it so badly disappoints its packaging. There is a song on here that affects "rap music" lyrics, and others that are equally impotent, both style-wise and content-wise. One of the really good songs on here is "Cucurrucucu Paloma", which some may remember as the central song in the movie "Talk to Her" directed by Almodovar.
Customer Rating:
Summary: CAETANO
Comment: Somethings are beyond space and time despite being in it, and affecting elements therein. Such is the voice of Caetano Veloso. So in lieu of offering a critique of "The Best of Caetano Veloso", I shall proffer my best attempt with the facet of myself that transcends boundaries in a psalm:
Caetano
Your Voice is like an Angel at the "Gate Beautiful",
whose charge is giving wings to SOULS fortunate to come that far
Your Voice, Your LIFE: your Voice is LIFE,
endearing responses from any organic as it drifts overhead; aerial to, yet somehow earthly and at the HEART of the matter;
taking hold of what is exterior and interior and reconciling these two hands; hand in hand the conflict ends from the purity and savoir faire in your Voice
I thought I was familiar with enchantment, until I heard you sing
Your Voice reminded me; artfully, rapturously admonished me, that there was still yet more to be caressed down deep in me
Despite the despot, and the fanatic, and the self-obsessed; in spite of their daily oppression, they cannot undo the design of a wings mission;
to take us far away from rancor, though we are still standing near.
© Vernell Garrett
Customer Rating:
Summary: Rare Fine Wine
Comment: Caetano's music takes a bit of effort to understand for Americans used to pop or rock. Those who put in a bit of effort will be rewarded with finely crafted art pieces that defy conventional classification. This cd provides a sampling of his latest efforts. Theres a lot of orchestration and refferences to cool jazz, big band Latin music from the 40's and 50's, and bossa nova flavored avant guarde soft poetic stuff. Jaques Morelembaums cello arrangements are sublime. All of it is so beautiful and unique. If you like some of it keep exploring his music. There are more electric works like Estrangeiro, Circulado and Tropicalia 2 with Gilberto Gil. All of it is of timeless quality.
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