Last Saturday, we sent C=T contributor Charles Killingsworth to cover the lovely Bebel Gilberto.
Babel has certainly grown into her own, spawning from the roots of bosa nova with her father João Gilberto and mother Miúcha who were active at the foundation of what has become the bossa nova sound we know currently.Though I had heard of Bebel before tonight, I had never seen her in concert nor have I listened to much of her music. As a lover of Sade, Os Mutantes and the Gotan Project I thought it seemed fitting to see the Ogden Theatre packed with her Brazilian following.
Her presence was somewhat like a classy hippie. I was most impressed by the percussion. The drumming was amazing and so on time it sounded electronic. The melodies reminded me of Kruder and Dorfmeister. You can tell why so many electronic artist and rock groups today are influenced by bossa nova and brazilian art culture. This show was a good reflection of a genre that to this day seems so pure. Which can’t be said about most of todays music.
Word and Photo-Charles Killingsworth
Bebel Gilberto (f. Mark Ronson) – The Real Thing [mp3]