Cornucopia

Here is a songwriter who, from 1975 to 1985 was almost without peer in the world of jazz/pop composition. Only Jobim superseded him and, frankly, there was nobody globally to compare the these two. Since that time, it has been a steady decline, with a moment of glory, here and there. "Jobiniando," his 2001 cd was a nice piece of work--of course, it consists, mostly, of Jobim tunes, though the title cut is a Lins tune and it is quite nice.Lins relies too much on a repetitive compositional technique and his songs are not really songs anymore--they are random moves along similar chordal patterns. He is all technique now. As a performer, he is an embarrassing "hot dog"--disingenuous and comically over-theatrical.This album is just a mess--but no worse that the typical schlock he has recorded since 1990.

As per many aging performers, Ivan Lins' voice seems to be failing him by losing range, intensity, and severely compromising his ability to effectively impart a melody. Awkward arrangements and gratuitous noise on Cornucopia not only call attention to his apparently diminishing vocal capacities, but make one question whether his hearing and judgement are under siege, as well.To have allowed this mess to be produced and distributed is a travesty. (One, maybe two, tracks on Cornucopia are NOT completely painful to the ear.)Ivan Lins has written and performed some amazing songs during his long, successful career. Virtually any of his earlier recordings are worth listening to over and over - but Cornucopia is a waste of time and money.

Cornucopia is a work of art and Ivan Lins is the artist who is bringing this jam fest to ya! Ivan is doing what i suggest other artist in hisage range [or older] do.....Pump it up instead of mellowing out. I cantell that Ivan is having a good time,as if he's rediscovering why hegot into this "business" in the first place.Now i must say that i don'tunderstand a lick of what he is singing DOESN'T MATTER i know what i'mhearing and feeling...That this is a Brazilian man layin' down someserious Brazilian swag !!! Cornucopia

received as described and on time

Awesome!!the great albumYou won't regret it

I made a mistake buying this recording. I have many recordings in Portugese but the melodies do not disappoint. They do here.

I've been a big fan of Ivan Lins for almost 40 years. I consider him one of the best musicians (songwriter/singer/pianist) in the whole world. When a new record of him is released I don't need to hear it previously, don't even question it, every Ivan Lins record is a must have! I watched him live at least 5 times in different occasion, since the beginning of the 80s, in Portugal. I was never disappointed (for almost 40 years). UNTIL TODAY! This last CD "Cornucopia" recorded with SWR Big Band is a great disappointment. And I think it's not Ivan Lins' fault, the arranger Ralf Scmid is guilty of this mess, I think. It's not the first time Ivan Lins makes an album with Big Band/Orchestra, he's done it before with the Metropole Orchestra arranged and conducted by the great Vince Mendoza and that record was beautiful. This one is the opposite. I agree with the other reviewer: some tracks are almost painful to the ears. Maybe tracks 4, 7, 10, 11 and 13 are worth listening, not so bad as the others. But in general this new album is very weak, I should say it doesn't make justice to the (excellent) music of Ivan Lins. I'm sorry that my opinion. I am sure the next one will be better. I hope so.

When I listened to the first tune I had a hard time to even hear Ivan's voice and thought this might be a remix. But eventually I got into it. Brazilian Jazz is among the most sophisticated music out there. These arrangements add a whole new layer to it. There is a lot of stuff going on at all times and I got into it very quickly. In terms of complexity I'd easily compare it to Pat Metheny's Secret Story album that was recorded with the London symphonic orchestra.I applaud Ivan Lins and the SWR Big band to be so courageous and step a little bit off the beaten path. Even the well known songs sound notably different - all in a good way. I'd put this in line with the recording he did with Irakere many years ago.I would give this album 6 stars if I could after having listened to it a few many times. I will fly all the way to Europe to see Ivan perform with the SWR big band at the Leverkusen Jazz Festival.I feel sorry for everyone that doesn't get how awesome this album is. But fortunately this is certainly not lowest common denominator music :)I also feel like buying a whole stack of CD's and make it my default birthday and Christmas present for the remainder of 2013 :)

I've been a big fan of Ivan Lins for almost 40 years. I consider him one of the best musicians (songwriter/singer/pianist) in the whole world. When a new record of him is released I don't need to hear it previously, don't even question it, every Ivan Lins record is a must have! I watched him live at least 5 times in different occasion, since the beginning of the 80s, in Portugal. I was never disappointed (for almost 40 years). UNTIL TODAY! This last CD "Cornucopia" recorded with SWR Big Band is a great disappointment. And I think it's not Ivan Lins' fault, the arranger Ralf Scmid is guilty of this mess, I think. It's not the first time Ivan Lins makes an album with Big Band/Orchestra, he's done it before with the Metropole Orchestra arranged and conducted by the great Vince Mendoza and that record was beautiful. This one is the opposite. I agree with the other reviewer: some tracks are almost painful to the ears. Maybe tracks 4, 7, 10, 11 and 13 are worth listening, not so bad as the others. But in general this new album is very weak, I should say it doesn't make justice to the (excellent) music of Ivan Lins. I'm sorry that my opinion. I am sure the next one will be better. I hope so.

I've always been a fan of Ivan even before I saw him live at the Festival Hall many moons ago.. His scarce tribute to Jobim is worth tracking down if you like his particular blend of Brazilian Pop, subtle lyrics ( he seldom sings in English but that is fine by me!0 and often memorable melodies. However an English sung cover is still available on Telarc, which includes Sting singing one of his strong melodies 'She Walks This Earth'. I hasten to add that song is not included in what amounts to a remarkably low key and subtle backdrop provided by the usually formidable SWR Big Band to an imaginative selection of Ivan's material across his career. The jazz element is muted and some rock emerges strikingly at times. All in all Ralf Scmid's arrangements deserve to be more assertive at times, but the overall listening esperience is very worthwhile if you stay with it! ironically I found 'Away Yio' more effective on an earlier disc again still available. That said there is much to discover if you aren't already acquainted with Ivan's infectious music. Incidentally, an earlier collaboration with Vince Mendoza's admirable Metropole Jazz Orchestra has just come to my notice. get a copy while you can!endoza

This is a classic. Beautiful african choir with a Big Band...Ivan Lins (who I just discovered recently), is an outstanding musician. If you like Marcos Valle and Carlos Jobim you will love his music...

Von all seinen Platten gehört diese zu den schlechtesten.Wobei Ivan Lins, den ich schon aus Anfang der 80-igern kenne und schon mehrmals gesehen habe,nie wirklich schlecht ist.

メロディ、ハーモニー、アレンジ、どれもイヴァンそのものです。全編を通じて厚みがありしっとり落ち着いた感じの仕上がりで、聴き応えもあり、心地良いです。