European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - July 6, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse Is photos by Michael Abrams 3 Beth Carvalho and her band played a diverse selection of brazilian instruments including the Cav Aquino the pique pique the Ata Baque and the Tan Tan. Swinging to a ih2at ii Beth Carvalho Queen of Samba. Brazilian pop Star Javan. By Deedee Arrington Doke staff writer think of brazilian music As Beach music gentle As a swirl of Sand and warm seawater Between the toes the rhythmic brazilian Samba is music perfect for Sun tanning or evening cocktails around the Pool atmospheric romantic but never exhausting. And its beat is nearly irresistible. A Trio of top brazilian acts kept an audience in Mannheim West Germany Samba ing from last Friday evening until the wee hours of saturday in a five hour brazilian music festival Viva Brazil 88." with the exception of one Lone holdout in a yellow shirt who refused All requests from his lady Friend to join in the spell of the Samba touched All who stood on the Mannheim Rosengarten floor for the concert. The concert revealed three distinctly different facets of modern latin music. Performed by the bands of Beth Carvalho Javan and Jorge Ben the evening s music owed much to the Samba but also gave play to More primitive latin beats influenced by afro and Indian sounds. The night s most dynamic set was played by Jorge Ben and his six Man band an outfit that combines the Best of brazilian musical idiosyncrasies meandering melodies stirring beats with elements taken from Rock jazz Caribbean steel band country and even cajun music. Underscored by brisk Businesslike drumming the Jorge Ben sound offered additional intrigue in the use of an amplified violin played by Cassio Poletto. Ben himself did his version of scat singing imitating the sounds of different instruments for his improvisations. Playing the night s longest set were pop Singer guitarist Javan and his six Man band who topped out at just under two hours. The tiny Javan dressed in a Silver Blazer and Black leather pants reminded one audience member of Barry Manilow while the group As a whole struck this reviewer As a brazilian Toto with its soaring keyboard work and tunes Fine for singing along with As Long As you know portuguese. Javan s slightly dispassionate singing contrasted nicely with the band s More emotive style. The group attempted ambitious marriages of latin styles with other musical forms such As dueling blues guitars in. The fashion of the Allman Brothers and reggae the first act on the Bill was Beth Carvalho so called Queen of the Samba dancers. In a throaty Alto Carvalho Sang the Type of song most easily recognizable As Samba the kind of number that sounds like a slight reworking of the girl from Ipa Nema or anything by Sergio Mendes. But that s not necessarily bad. In fact Carvalho was pleasant entertainment indeed for the hour she was on stage and her band played a diverse selection of brazilian instruments including the ukulele like Cav Aquino and the percussive pique pique at Atarque Tan Tan and More to orchestrate her songs. At their Best Friday the brazilian musicians summoned enough excitement to stir up a confetti storm on a Rio de Janeiro Beach in carnival season. At its worst it was simply music to stir a Pina Colada by. But it was never anything less than a Call to arms for those who take their Samba lines seriously. Viva Brazil 88 continues with performances in the following locations Netherlands the Hague North sea jazz festival july 10 Germany Kassel Sta Thalle july 13, Nurnberg Park tent july 15 Austria Vienna jazz festival july 16. For More information Call Karsten Jahnke Monzert Agenter in Germany at 040-445406 or Macon do concerts at 06103-85257. Wednesday july 6, 1988 the stars and stripes Page 17
