Trevor said:"COULD THERE BE EYES LIKE YOURS..."
sorry, couldn't resist. I agree, I really like this song. The ladies seem less synched as they do in other songs. (perhaps forshadowing to Ye-Me-Le). yes, come to think of it, there is a whole underlying synchronization thing going... From The first album (Lani doing the vocals twice to perfection) to Stillness (think Viramundo with each singer singing her own version of the song).
Then in brasil '77 they are back to overlapping the same singer for fluency (of that language). (Gone Forever, Tonga, After Midnight?)
You know, as I was driving along listening to "For What It's Worth" and "So Many People", I had the same exact thought. Brasil '66 had come full circle. As you said, Lani did the vocals on the first album to perfection. By Ye-Me-Le, they were singing in unison, one girl to each channel. Along comes Stillness (and Karen's knock-out version of "For What It's Worth" -- one of my favorites to this day), with all three sometimes singing in unison.
Tell me, what do you all hear on Stillness in the way of vocals? I hear it this way:
Stillness -- Lani
Righteous Life -- Lani (lead), Karen (unison)
Chelsea Morning -- Lani (lead), Karen & Gracinha (unison -- although they all seem "unplugged" with their vocals)
Cancao do Nosso Amor -- duh! Sergio Mendes!!
Viramundo -- Lani, Karen and Gracinha (especially on the ending chant!)
Lost In Paradise -- Gracinha (lead), but can't figure out the rest...is this Lani and Gracinha? All three? And, come to think of it, this vocal arrangement does not sound as Karen & Gracinha do on Pais Tropical. I (think) I can definitely hear Lani in the mix...this one baffles me! Whatever the case, it's a sensational song.
For What It's Worth -- Karen Philipp (double-tracked a-la Lani Hall on the first album)
Sometimes In Winter -- Sergio & Lani (lead), Karen (unison on chorus)
Celebration Of The Sunrise -- Lani, Karen & Gracinha (this is much as they sounded when we saw them in '70 or '71 at the Monterey Jazz Festival when all three appeared -- also the last time we saw Lani with the group)
Stillness -- duh! Lani Hall!!
And that's my take on Stillness. I'd be interested to hear what others think. Most of us have been listening to this album for years. We all have our own perceptions. What do you folks hear? Who is who? What stands out for you? Who (other than Lani's solos, Sergio's solos, Gracinha's solo and Karen's solo on "For What It's Worth") stands out for you? Gee, this could be a thread of its own.
Trevor said:Do you all think I may have something here???? (or has this already been discussed?)
You certainly do have something here. I'm sure this has been discussed in one form or another, but that's what makes the Corner so great. I don't know if it has been broken down (song for song) as above or not. It would be interesting to do this with the entire Brasil '66 catalog. Like you, I'm anxious to hear what others have to say.
Jon
...sharing his perceptions For What It's Worth, online...