Solo in Rio 1959
stands as a classic in the massive
Luiz Bonfa
catalog. Originally issued on the
Cook
label -- named for its owner, famed audio engineer
Emory Cook
-- it remained a favorite of the guitarist's throughout his lifetime. The Emory Cook Collection is housed and managed by the
Smithsonian
and as such,
Folkways
is able to re-release this masterpiece on CD with many added treasures -- there is an additional half-hour of music on the CD. The original featured 17 cuts. The new version contains 32, including an early version of
"Samba de Orfeu."
While it is true that it is the guitarist and composer's most famous composition and he recorded it many times, this is the only one on solo guitar. This is the first time it appears anywhere. Also included are two versions of the celebrated
"Manha de Carnaval."
The second read is a more up-tempo and shorter version that is breathless in its beauty. Other well-known
Bonfa
compositions that have alternates here are
"Perdido de Amor,"
"Sambolero,"
"Quebra Maer,"
and
"Luzes do Rio."
Another gem is the startling
"Prelude to an Adventure in Space,"
with its hard swinging
samba
that transmutes into a dirge-like
bolero
on a dime.
offers an early hearing of
as fully developed, in possession of a stunning range of styles and techniques, all of them employable in the service of the song. The deep lyricism and harmonic richness of
's playing is unlike anything else before or since.
is a historic release, and one that will hopefully alert an entirely new generation to the work of this master of the guitar. In addition to the beautifully remastered music in this package, there is a fine biographical and musicological essay by
Anthony Weller
. ~ Thom Jurek