Ricardo Silveira: Noite Clara

Brazilian guitarist Ricardo Silveira offers a series of intimate, graceful tunes on Noite Clara (Adventure). Silveria chooses each note carefully, and his compositions are wonderfully detailed yet understated. On the mournful “Rio Texas,” Silveira’s pensive acoustic work is offset by electric slide guitar, and on the lovely title track, a duet between the guitarist and bassist John Leftwich, the haunting melody is stated with simple directness. Silveira’s multitracked guitars engage in some call and response on “Consolacao,” and “Tango Carioca” opens as a spirited pas de deux between Silveira’s electric guitar and Luís Alves’ upright bass, until Gilson Peranzzetta’s accordion joins the dance. Silveria and Peranzzetta also engage in some adept interplay on the plaintive “Olhando a Chuva.” The guitarist charms on the gently swinging “Ingenua” and turns in some sprightly electric work on the catchy closer, “Pais Tropical.”

Satisfying from start to finish, Noite Clara is an exquisite gem.

Originally Published January 1, 2004