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Lee Tomboulian and Circo: Return to Whenever
What makes a good portion of this album so diverting is its use of Brazilian and Brazilian-influenced music, sung by Elizabeth Tomboulian (nee Betty Elkins), who brings a lot of Luciana Souza-type vocalese to several tracks. On Toninho Horta's "Viver de Amor," her Portuguese sounds authentic and soothing. "Garota de Ipanema," more popularly known as the Jobim/deMoraes classic "The Girl From Ipanema," is slowed down to a surprisingly effective pace.
Another successful aspect of Return to Whenever is the work of Ricardo Bozas, a Uruguayan percussionist who previously worked with Brazilian singer/songwriter VinÃ-cius de Moraes. He is a virtual one-man band of percussive ideas.
Not as effective is Tamboulian's electronic noodling on keyboards. While he provides a backbone on "The Highway" with a "Viva Tirado"-type vamp on electronic keyboards, he uses similar instrumentation on other tracks that tend to be distracting.
Good music being hard enough to find is appreciated, though, and there's enough of it on Return to Whenever for repeat listens.
Track Listing
Human Faith Medley; Afro-Joe; Viver de Amor; Uncle Frank; Hanon Merry Christmas; Belovely; The Highway; Cartoon Music; Weather Ornette; Viajando; Hermeto; Garota de Ipanema; Viva Hugo.
Personnel
Lee Tomboulian
pianoLee Tamboulian: keyboards, accordion, melodica, acidolem; Ricardo Bozas: tambores, congas, timbales, percussion, frog vocals; Pete Brewer: soprano, tenor and alto sax, flute, alto flute, piccolo, clarinet, bass clarinet; Dennis Durick: drums, marimba, vocals, drum orchestra; Elizabeth Tamboulian: vocals; Brian Warthen: electric and fretless bass; Jonathan Gregory: additional percussion; Valeri Glava: violin; Chris McGuire: clarinet, soprano sax; Joe Lee: guitar; Jason Bucklin: guitar, synth programming; Allan Gibson: trumpet; Tony Hakim: vocals.
Album information
Title: Return to Whenever | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Self Produced
About Lee Tomboulian
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