Sambanova

The nylon string guitar to my ears is a central element in the rich heritage of the Brazilian Samba. The genre is built with distinctive subtleties in its harmonic and melodic content that combine with seductive rhythms to evoke layers of emotion. In this offering by composer and performer Joan Griffith, full credence is paid to the guitar in a full range of roles. With Griffith's guitar, graceful support and musical excellence is delivered by pianist Laura Caviani and percussionist Cyro Baptista. Sambanova (Pleasing Dog Music) takes the listener through a journey of enchantment and beauty true to the Samba. Griffith's guitar is well recorded with intimacy, clarity, and the great resonant tonal character of the nylon string guitar.

The fact that Griffith's "Sambanova No 1 in C" is the perfect way to start this recording became more evident with each listening. In this well-crafted project, "Sambanova No 1 in C" gives a listener a faithful introduction to the Samba. From the beginning, Griffith drives the song with chords and a rhythmic pulse of classic Samba while Caviani plays a bright melodic introductory figure. Shortly thereafter Griffith and Caviani share a brief melodic figure which transitions to Griffith playing another melodic figure alone. Some lively melodic choreography moves throughout this piece (and others) in a playful interchange given wings with pleasing percussion grooves introduced by Baptista.

Griffith's composition, “La Bellevue,” is a duet with Griffith and Caviani. Its reflective spirit takes some pleasantly unexpected turns as it develops. With Griffith's piece "Joan's Baiao," I felt that the project was starting to take flight to another level. This gorgeous track starts with a provocative rhythm played by Griffith and Baptista. The song's personality approaches maturity when the harmony of Griffith's chords meets with the encircling melody introduced by Caviani. The piece lands for a time on a hypnotic groove that Caviani fulfills with a compelling solo. Throughout this offering, Caviani demonstrates poise as a musician with a great ability to move from a transparent ensemble role to a commanding out-front role, able to shrink or grow the orchestration tastefully.

One may find the fun piece called "Pauleando" by Joao Lyra reminiscent of some of the Spanish cadenced music of Chick Corea, with tight unison lines and bright rhythmic punches. In “Pauleando,”Griffith plays a great solo that overlays the jazz idiom.  "Sambanova No. 2 in F minor" by Joan Griffith and her brother Marshall takes a listener through some lush, Old World places and back again.

"Samambaia" by Cesar Camargo Mariano is an alluring and playful song with thoughtful solos played by Griffith and Caviani. The trio executes wonderfully on the Antonio Carlos Jobim classic, “Triste.” "Samba for Jacob", last on the CD, is characterized by an unmistakable sense of motion. This song, garnished with lively improvisations by Griffith and Caviani, is what I call a traveling song. It seems to be saying adeus para agora, or “goodbye for now” as Baptista drives it home with a snappy rhythm which launches after the captivating introduction from Griffith and Caviani. With its lofty feel, “Samba for Jacob” is the perfect way to conclude the CD.

As I listened through the recording, I found that it continued to expand with each piece introducing new elements and forms of interaction between musicians. Throughout this collection of seven songs from Joan Griffith, and three from other composers, each piece offered something new. This includes the songs with tranquil sentiment like Griffith's beautiful "Choro" in which deeply emotive surprises are waiting throughout. The shared rhythmic landscape in this project varied dynamically depending on which members of the ensemble were driving it. Even if you do not physically move to the dance-motivating pieces on this CD, your heart and soul certainly will. The purely acoustic trio assembled by Griffith for this project is full sounding and never wants for greater numbers.

With music as the speech of the soul, one's attempt to describe with words a composition like Joan Griffith's "Sertao" can only yield a rough account of the music's effect. One might speak of the desire to move as the dance-inciting rhythms enter the movement psyche. Possibly one finds twilight memories triggered by the flow of nourishing harmonies. Perhaps there's a burst of jubilation stimulated by enticing melodies that slip through harmonies and rhythms. Somewhere in the piece, the hair at the back of your neck may stand at attention as did mine. This would all suggest a course of action where you acquire and listen to this CD. Then listen more times allowing your soul to reveal the places this music can take you in the language that only it speaks.

CD Release Party for Sambanova will take place Sunday night, September 21^st at 7 pm at the Artists Quarter in downtown St. Paul. Click here for more information. John Penny is a Twin Cities-based guitarist and composer.