Acustico Paulinho Da Viola

This Paulinho da Viola entry into the Acustico MTV series (the Brazilian version of MTV's Unplugged) functions exactly as a greatest-hits compilation of the living samba legend. Since samba is performed mostly on acoustic instruments anyway, and da Viola is backed by the same stellar musicians he has been playing with for years, there are no significant differences between the original versions of his songs and the ones present on Acustico MTV. The son and nephew of guitar virtuosos Cesar Faria and Raphael Rabello, da Viola ensures the family legacy's pride on this album with the help of son (and famous guitarist in his own right) Joao Rabello and his daughter, vocalist Beatriz Faria, the latter joined by Cristina Buarque and Luisa Adnet. The magnificent Cristovao Bastos is in charge of the arrangements and piano, while da Viola sings and plays guitar in his own inimitable style. Acustico MTV may not be a revelation, but it is incontestably a peerless collection. The record includes four excellent new songs, "Ainda Mais," "Bela Manha," "Vai Dizer ao Vento," and "Talisma," the latter featuring lyrics by Tribalistas' Marisa Monte and Arnaldo Antunes, both huge Paulinho Da Viola fans (as all self-respecting Brazilian musicians are, for that matter). Da Viola has been one of the most formidable composers in the history of samba since the early seventies, and instrumental in keeping the genre not merely alive, but up to date with an endless string of modern classics. Many are included in this album: "Coracao Leviano," "Sinal Fechado," "Timoneiro," and "Nervos de Aco."The accompanying DVD, perhaps the most compelling feature of this release, adds six more tracks, including "Danca da Solidao" and "Foi um Rio Que Passou em Minha Vida," as well as terrific making-of and interview chapters. ~ Mariano Prunes