Review: “Mais uma página” (Another Page) and more with Maria Gadú

08 Jul, 2013

By Alba Cabral
Translation by Harriet Batey
Photos by Schirley Amaral

The auditorium was full with the sun still shining outside, in the heat of London’s summer. The wait was long and, to keep spirits high, from time to time the audience sang “Maria Gadú, where are you, I came here just to see you”. Accompanied by musicians Fernando Caneca (guitar), Gastão Vileroy (bass), Cesinha (drums), Maycon (keyboard) and Doga (percussion), Maria Gadú started the show singing a song by the band Char;ie Brown Jr, in honour of the their singer Chorão who died earlier this year.

She continued alternating with songs from her own album “Mais uma página”, such as “Axé Acapella”, with versions of “Anjo de Guarda Noturno”, “Amor de Índio”, “Extranjero e Quem” (which she wrote with Lenine), saying that the show was devoted to the current political movement in Brazil ((“Who will cry first, who? Scream loosening in desperation, the chest that the voice of thunder”). Not forgetting past successes from her other CDs, she didn’t leave out Shimbalaiê. Surprising some, the band sang “Maria Solidária”, using an interesting vocal arrangement and, followed up by paying homage to Milton Nascimento.

Maria Gadú, even from the few words she said throughout the performance, had charisma in her gestures and her expression while singing and playing the guitar. She interacted with both the band and the audience with her smile and joy. The show was much more stripped back than the album versions which include string and brass arrangements, but the great songs and Maria Gadú’s determination did the trick.

Thanks to Global Village Productions.