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(More customer reviews)ADDENDUM 5/06/2011 - There were rumors initiated over a year ago by the Brasilian press that Roberto was going to retire. Not so! At the time of his daughter Ana's death in mid-April, it was revealed he was scheduled to peform in Vitoria and Miami! We can only hope that if he can recover from this most recent loss, he will consider performing in Los Angeles. At one time his team was looking at LA and decided he didn't have enough fans there. I find that hard to believe and I for one, would walk from Seattle if I had to, just to see him sing Cafe Demanha. At this time, they are putting future appearances on hold and will reschedule. As for recovering - losing a child, no matter how old - is something no one ever truly recovers from. You just get on with your life the best you can.
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Brasilians are rightfully proud to have produced this poet, songwriter, singer and musician who can hold an audience of 70,000 in the palm of his hand as easily as walking down the street. This man's life has been filled with challenge and loss, and he puts his joy and pain into music as he writes and performs. He has given the world amazing music that will live alongside Gardel and other famous songwriters forever. Gardel unfortunately did not live in the electronic age but we have DVD's of Roberto Carlos concerts that are unmatched by any songwriter living today. He is an intimate, charismatic performer. For an example of his warmth and tenderness, go to You Tube, Music - "Roberto Carlos em recife Parte One". It will lead you to Parts 2 and 3. After viewing that, you will want to buy this DVD, I promise you.
I've read all kinds of foolish comparisons, i.e. "The Brazilian Sinatra", "the Brazilian Manilow". Sinatra couldn't touch this artist for pure musicianship and the wide range of genres. And Sinatra never wrote a song in his life, never learned to play an instrument. He was rude and vicious on one hand and overly generous (to wealthy friends) on the other. Manilow wrote good songs, but songs other singers choose not to sing. I've seen Manilow and Iglesias live and neither have that chemistry that makes you unable to take your eyes off them. Iglesias does not give of himself in concert, makes you feel he is totally removed from the audience. He makes no attempt to interact. I enjoy his singing, but don't care to ever see him again live or on DVD. I've seen Neil Diamond, who was famous for his concerts, but even he didn't possess what Roberto Carlos has. Carlos walks on stage and takes it for his own. He captures the audience with an immediate sureness and you know you are in the presence of greatness. He is absolutely the most expressive singer I've ever seen. I hope those who have been fans of his for years appreciate how lucky they've been to have him. He's now 70 (April 2011) and God willing, we won't lose him too soon. When he does pass, it will spread grief across Latin America and the Hispanic community world wide. It will equal national mourning throughout Brasil as Edith Piaf's passing did in France. At this point, his voice and phrasing just get better and better with time. His face is aging like a fine wine - and you can see his life experience in his eyes. He remains a beautiful man.
This concert - now that I've said my piece about comparisons - reveals Roberto Carlos in a more reflective mood. He sings 23 songs over an hour and a half. All the songs are listed here on Amazon, but the most powerful of the songs, "La Cavalgada", is given an arrangement you won't soon forget. (Not all the concert songs are on the CD, but my favorites, "Cafe DeManha" and "La Cavalgada", are included.)
This concert was held in Brasil, I believe in 2004 (3?) and all his songs are in Portugese (although he can sing in five languages). I personally prefer his music in Portugese. It is a beautiful language and suits his music - obviously because it is his mother tongue.
Carlos is very generous on stage - giving credit to his musicians throughout and the cameras move to them regularly. He has kept the same musicians for years and most of them are getting on in years, but he shows his love and faith in them throughout the concert. I've never seen another entertainer be as generous to their musicians. (Added note to the one or two who may not know - Ana was married to Paulhino - the lead guitarist). My only complaint is that the orchestra leader is often dashing back and forth, right behind Carlos as he sings, and it is distracting. That problem doesn't occur in the "En Vivo" concert. Stage size may have had something to do with it.
After the finale, as always, he tosses red and white roses to his audience, first placing one of each on the podium. It is symbolic for him and they are for Maria Rita, his wife whom he lost to cancer in 1999 and I'm not sure if one rose is also for his mother, who passed April 16, 2010, just three days before his 69th birthday. He sings "Acrostico" in his wife's honor mid-concert, as he does in all his concerts now. It is a moment where you see his loss and pathos close up. It's beautiful and the audience is with him every step of the way.
Get this concert while you can, as the prices are climbing. The less availability there is, the higher the cost. In "Pra Sempre...", Roberto Carlos lets you see who he is without reservation - very much the silver fox with more class, old world elegance and sex appeal than any singer to date.
If anyone takes issue with that comment - I ask you to get this concert and see how you feel after viewing it.
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