Dreamer
Eliane Elias
2004
Why This Album Matters
Dreamer is the sixteenth studio album by the acclaimed Brazilian pianist and vocalist Eliane Elias, released on 4 May 2004 by Bluebird. This work stands out as a landmark in her career, being her second Bluebird release to feature the backing of a full orchestra, under the arrangements of maestro Rob Mathes. The album represents a notable foray by Elias into the vocal universe, being her first record entirely performed in English and also the first to feature an orchestra, exploring an exuberant and luxurious sonic territory. With a fusion of Brazilian jazz, bossa nova, and touches of smooth jazz, Dreamer showcases Elias's versatility on both piano and vocals, solidifying her position as one of the most distinct voices on the global jazz scene.
Context
Prior to Dreamer, Eliane Elias had already established a prolific career, but this album marked a new phase in her artistic journey. Although her recordings were predominantly instrumental, Elias began introducing her vocals in 1990 on the album Eliane Elias Plays Jobim, and continued to use them occasionally. Dreamer, however, was her first album featuring vocals and an orchestra, signalling a direction more geared towards an international audience and consolidating her 'dual jazz citizen' style (piano and voice; Brazilian and American).
Songs
Dreamer features a selection of eleven tracks that blend bossa nova and jazz classics with original compositions by Eliane Elias. Among the highlights are the re-recordings of "Call Me", which became composer Tony Hatch's favourite version, and "Baubles, Bangles And Beads". The album also includes interpretations of "Photograph (Fotografia)" by Tom Jobim and Ray Gilbert, "So Nice (Samba de Verão)" by the Valle brothers, and "A House Is Not a Home" by Burt Bacharach. Eliane Elias also contributes two of her own compositions, "Movin' Me On" and the meditative "Time Alone", which highlight her compositional skill. In "Doralice", samba fans may note a clever homage to Stan Getz, with Elias transcribing the piano lines from Getz's saxophone solo on the seminal Getz/Gilberto version. The album's instrumentation is enriched by the presence of weighty guests, such as Michael Brecker on tenor saxophone, Mike Mainieri on vibraphone, Oscar Castro-Neves on guitar, and the solid rhythm section of Marc Johnson on bass and Paulo Braga on drums.
Legacy
Dreamer was very well received by specialised critics. John Bush, of Allmusic, praised Elias's "beautiful and contemplative" solos and her "unerring instincts". Billboard highlighted her "seductive, husky vocals, subtle string orchestration and the overall Brazilian mood" of the album. Dave Gelly, of The Guardian, pointed to the "meticulous perfection of touch, tone and timing" that sets the work apart. Christopher Loudon, of JazzTimes, highlighted Elias's "effortlessly elegant" piano work. Commercially, Dreamer reached number 4 on the Billboard charts and number 1 on the Jazz charts, as well as being the 3rd best-selling jazz album in France in 2004. The album was also recognised with the "Gold Disc Award" and the "Jazz Vocal album for 2004" award by Japan's Swing Journal. These accolades underscore the album's critical and popular success, solidifying its impact on contemporary vocal jazz.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
Eliane Elias
Marc Johnson, Steve Rodby
Rob Mathes
David Weyner
Eliane Elias
Diva Gray, Martee Lebow, Vaneese Thomas
Eliane Elias
Marc Johnson
Gavyn Wright
Isobel Griffiths
Paulinho Braga
Eliane Elias
Guilherme Monteiro, Oscar Castro-Neves
Paulinho Braga
Eliane Elias
Michael Brecker
Mike Mainieri
Richard Lancaster
Peter Doris
Andy Sarroff
Jason Stasium, Jay Spears
Jonathan Allen
Steve Fallone
Joe Ferla
Helicopter
Camille Tominaro, Eliane Elias
Ed Gerrard, Impact Artist Management, Peter Himberger
Deborah Turbeville
Analyses
Dreamer – Wikipedia
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Dreamer - Eliane Elias Review | All About Jazz
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Read the All About Jazz review of Dreamer by Eliane Elias (2004, Bluebird/Legacy). Expert analysis, ratings, and insight into one of jazz's finest recordings.
Dreamer by Eliane Elias (2004) | Jazz Album | All About Jazz
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Listen to and explore Dreamer by Eliane Elias, released in 2004 on Bluebird/Legacy. Read reviews, track listings, and discover more jazz albums on All About Jazz.
DISCOGRAPHY - Eliane Elias
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DISCOGRAPHY Dreamer RELEASED IN 2004 BY Bluebird Dreamer · Eliane Elias Preview E Call Me · Eliane Elias
Discogs
Dreamer – Discogs
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