CD Review: Baden Powell - Live In Berlin.

Baden Powell (guitar/voice).
(Review by Lance).

Although nothing to do with the founder of the boy scouts movement, after whom the guitarist was named, "be prepared" to hear some of the greatest Brazilian guitar music ever - an iconic piece of musical history. 

A double CD of solo Brazilian guitar may, I thought at first, be regarded warily - surely I'd be bored silly by the end? Bored? by track 2 I was already in the virtual rainforest wallowing in the artistry of an amazing musician who blends jazz and his native music so seamlessly.

Recorded in Berlin's Volksbühne Theatre in 2000, just months before his death that same year, Powell gives a compelling solo performance that takes the audience by storm - witness the applause after each number. A mixture of the familiar and the unfamiliar, the master draws on many influences including, unsurprisingly, bossa nova, samba and other South American rhythms.

Compositions from Jobim, Luis Bonfa, J. Sebastian Bach and, of course, Powell himself.

The Bach piece, Toccata 147 (Air on a G String), runs for over 7 minutes and not a second is superfluous. Whilst this may have been seen as "carrying coals to Newcastle" the audience didn't think so and applauded vociferously.

On the final track of there is an uncredited drummer on Powell's own Marcha escocesa instrumental otherwise it's a solo flight to Rio via Berlin.

A complete concert spread over 2 CDs or 3 LPS. A DVD of previously unreleased film footage of the concert has also been released.

Track details.
Available from October 23 on MPS.
Lance.