Segundo [CD & DVD] - Rita, Maria (CD 2005)

Yeah, not only do you get another great album from this AMAZING, lyrical, unique, creative, fun singer out of Brazil, but you get a DVD of the recording in the studio, of each track!! You get to hear her talking. You get to see some of the composers in person. You see how they use different techniques to gain the personalized sound you hear. You get to see what the producer is like, how he works. This is an incredible offering, as a follow-up to her first album ("Maria Rita"), which was revolutionary, in my opinion. Maria Rita toured the US right before (I believe?) "Segundo" came out, and I'm very sorry I missed her when she came through town. She is a real person - not overly obsessed with looks; has lived life; has a small child. She sings songs that make her cry (see Chico Buarque song done on the "Segundo" DVD). She plays her lighter for us to create an interesting percussion intro to one of the songs. All of the songs on this album and her first album are beautiful and different. They have a jazz-pop feel, and they have that sound quality we heard on Buena Vista Social Club - personalized and close. On the DVD we get to see some of her microphone techniques; how she can aggressively attack songs with a rapper-type beat - it just brings the recording all that more alive. Now Brazil doesn't seem so faraway - and I can understand the Portuguese with those English subtitles!!