CONFIDENT ABOUT THE TALENT AND POSSIBILITY OF CHICO CESAR's success, UpToDate Magazine, then at its November 1995 experimental phase, bet on that and put on line an article about this magnificent Northeastern Brazilian musician from Paraiba state. So it was our longest article published so far. Because of its importance, we maintained the article on line till now. To be precise, till the opportunity of catching up on Chico Cesar's new major pathway. EVEN BEFORE THE RELEASE OF HIS FIRST ALBUM, following his concerts, the UpToDate team could notice that something really big and remarkable for the Brazilian music was going to come about. Like feeling powerful and good vibrations under the surface. FROM THERE ON, lots of good things happened to Chico Cesar, includding his nationwide consecration. Our bet was worthwhile. But for him things weren't that smooth as one could think ahead. DESPITE HIS BEING VERY WELCOMED BY SUCH GREAT NAMES as Maria Bethânia, Caetano Veloso, Daniela Mercury, Elba Ramalho, Zizi Possi, Ivan Lins, Edson Cordeiro, Tetê Espíndola, Badi Assad and Salif Keita, among others, Chico Cesar fought pretty much his way through the Brazilian musical scenery to be considered now a great MPB talent. Now he appears on every important television program nationwide and on the radios too. AT THIS MOMENT, what Chico Cesar brings about to renew Brazilian music is his ingenious ideas of mixing such Northeastern rhythms as carimbó, reizado, coco, with pop musical elements and classical Brazilian music estructure from MPB. (MPB = Brazilian popular music, concerning range style of such names as Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Tom Jobim, Edu Lobo, Elis Regina, Ivan Lins, Milton Nascimento, Djavan, Gal Costa etc.) THE FINAL RESULTS OF ALL HIS RECIPE, his clever and poetical lyrics, his capacity for arranging and his unique Northeastern vocal style, eventually called the crowds' attention. |
 |
