GIG REVIEW: The Ipanemas
- Posted on April 18, 2008 11:04 AM
- 0 comments
The Ipanemas + Zuco 103
Barbican Hall
16th April 2008
Review by Bob Meijer
I’m not going to pretend I was a huge fan of the Ipanemas before I went to see them at the Barbican Hall, but it’s safe to say I am now. What caught my eye really was Zuco 103, which is a big name in my native Holland already, and I’ve seen them play live many times. Their electronic back beat topped up with a healthy mix of Brazilian samba is something I always loved, and their albums have always done well for on those rare hot summer evening barbecues back in the Dam, on someone’s roof, somewhere in the city.
So after being stuck at work (read: pub) for too long I made it just in time to Barbican Hall to catch the Ipanemas going on stage. I was a bit cheesed off since I had missed Zuco 103, but to be honest the massive venue did not seem like the perfect venue for Zuco 103 to rock the house. I have seen them play at smoky gigs in Utrecht and Amsterdam where people dance around and scream and shout. Barbican Hall was more timid; people sitting down mostly, although the odd couple seemed to have a dance in the aisle on the balcony. So I got comfy and watched these older men getting ready for what seemed a very laidback show.
Although it was rather cold outside immediately after they kicked off ‘Sacunda’ by drummer Ivan Conti the place turned into the beaches of Rio. The African rhythms, samba and bossa nova were going down better than I’d imagined it would. Of course I only realised how big this band was after I googled these magnificent performers, and I found out that they had just arrived from a 3 day mini tour from Holland that day.
What struck me most was guitar player Ze Carlos, who played with an unbelievable smoothness and rhythm. His fingers moved at a blinding pace across the fret board and his finger picking was simply stunning. I couldn’t help but noticing the brilliant sound his guitar produced, a very hard thing to do playing a semi acoustic guitar live; they always seem to struggle sounding like a real acoustic.
As the evening progressed I enjoyed many smooth and well written samba songs, ranging from their debut album in 1964, to more recent ones from their second and third album. My favourites included ‘Bosco’, ‘Musico Profissional’ and ‘Gana’, but then again I could have mixed up the song titles a tad, my Portuguese is a bit rusty.
Even though there aren’t many original Ipanemas left, they haven’t suffered from any loss in quality. Quite the opposite, the critics said in the Dutch press, which I can’t really claim not knowing their old work. The new trombone player, percussionist and guitar player have definitely not disappointed me, that’s for sure. This evening was just such a quality gig, with musicians playing with heart and soul, rather than banging their telecasters screaming silly lyrics out of tune into the mic. These guys play music, and they do a brilliant job. I think I may even have found a new favourite for my rare hot summer evening barbecues in London!
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