A Noite
Ivan Lins
1979
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
A Noite, released in 1979, represents a high point in Ivan Lins' discography, solidifying his musical identity and reaffirming him as one of the greatest composers and performers of MPB. The album stands out for its refined sound and elaborate arrangements, which blend elements of jazz, bossa nova, and pop music, creating a rich and complex sonic tapestry. It is a work that, for many, synthesises the essence of Ivan Lins' style, marked by sophisticated harmonies and engaging melodies. This record is a window into Ivan Lins' poetic and musical sensibility, where the songs explore themes of passion, hope, and the observation of daily life with depth and lyricism. Its atmosphere, which floats between introspection and exuberance, makes it an album that demands and rewards careful listening, revealing layers of beauty with each new listen.
Context
In 1979, Brazil was undergoing the process of political liberalisation, with the transition from military dictatorship to democracy, a period that profoundly influenced cultural production. Ivan Lins was already an established figure in Brazilian music, having begun his career in the University Artistic Movement (MAU) in the early 70s with a more soul-inflected approach. A Noite is part of a sequence of albums released by Lins in the late 70s, which included Somos Todos Iguais Nesta Noite (1977) and Nos Dias de Hoje (1978). This phase was crucial for consolidating his international reputation, paving the way for the global recognition that would follow.
Recording
The album A Noite was released by the EMI record label in 1979. Album production was credited to Ivan Lins and Luis Tornaghi, with Gilson Peranzzetta at the helm of arrangements and conducting. The team of musicians who participated in the recording included talents such as Gilson Peranzzetta on accordion, electric piano, and ARP Strings, João Cortez on drums and percussion, Natan Marques on guitars, and various bassists such as Milton Botelho, Luisão, and Paulo Russo. The presence of instrumentalists like Copinha and Ricardo Pontes on flutes, and Mauricio Einhorn on harmonica, contributed to the elaborate and characteristic sound of Lins' work. The original vinyl edition came with a sleeve containing the song lyrics and production credits, a detail that enriched the listener's experience when exploring the poetry of the compositions.
Songs
All the songs on A Noite are the result of the enduring and fruitful partnership between Ivan Lins and his lyricist Vítor Martins, a collaboration that became a trademark of Lins' work. The album features ten tracks, many of which became MPB classics. Among the highlights are "Desesperar, Jamais" and "Começar de Novo", the latter internationally known as "The Island" with English lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The title track, "A Noite", personifies the night as a silent confidante, a witness to passions and emotional outpourings, with lyrics that speak of drowned and shelterless hearts. Other notable compositions include "Te Recuerdo Amanda", "Velas Içadas" and "A Voz do Povo", all exemplifying the harmonic complexity and lyrical sensitivity that are pillars of Ivan Lins' work.
Legacy
A Noite is widely considered one of Ivan Lins' finest albums and a work that solidified his reputation both in Brazil and abroad. The album was well received by critics and the public, further consolidating Ivan Lins' status as one of Brazil's most commercially successful artists. The influence of Ivan Lins, and of A Noite in particular, is manifest in the continuous recognition of his compositions. "Começar de Novo" and "Velas Içadas" became standards in the international jazz repertoire, being re-recorded by numerous world-renowned artists. His work, marked by the fusion of MPB and jazz, opened doors for a global appreciation of Brazilian music, making him one of the most recorded Brazilian artists abroad.
Tracks
Credits
Gilson Peranzzetta
Mariozinho Rocha
Eduardo Souto Neto
Gilson Peranzzetta
Ivan Lins
Luizão, Milton Botelho, Paulo Russo
Ivan Lins
João Cortez
Gilson Peranzzetta
Copinha, Ricardo Pontes
Natan Marques
Mauricio Einhorn
Ivan Lins
Ricardo Pontes
Mello Menezes
Videos
"A noite": o melhor disco de Ivan Lins | Disco do Dia | Alta Fidelidade
Alta Fidelidade
Books
Dicionário de Figuras de Linguagem nas Canções de Ivan Lins e Vítor Martins
Wagner Azevedo · 2024
This book offers an in-depth analysis of the lyrics of Ivan Lins and his main partner, Vítor Martins, cataloguing and explaining the figures of speech used in his songs. Essential for understanding the poetic richness and lyrical style of the artist in albums like 'A Noite'.
300 Discos Importantes da Música Brasileira
Charles Gavin, Tárik de Souza, Carlos Calado, Arthur Dapieve · 2008
Conceived by Titãs drummer and musical researcher Charles Gavin, the 434-page book brings together covers and reviews of albums released between 1929 and 2007. The texts were written by journalists Tárik de Souza, Arthur Dapieve and Carlos Calado.
Songbook Ivan Lins - Vol. 2
Ivan Lins · 2005
Official songbook of Ivan Lins, containing sheet music and lyrics of his compositions. It is an essential primary source for the study of the artist's musical work, including songs from the period of the album 'A Noite'.
Songbook Ivan Lins - Vol. 1
ALMIR CHEDIAK
Songbook volume dedicated to the work of Ivan Lins, compiled by Almir Chediak, a renowned sheet music editor of Brazilian popular music. It contains arrangements and lyrics that are fundamental for the analysis of the artist's repertoire.
Analyses
fine albums: ivan lins: a noite
finealbums.blogspot.com
A Noite was warmly received as a continuation and consolidation of the artistic direction established with Somos Todos Iguais Nesta Noite (1977). AllMusic praised the EMI years as Lins's most commercially and artistically productive period. The album was reissued multiple times and remains a favourite among collectors of 1970s Brazilian music.
Album | Ivan Lins | A Noite | Emi Odeon Records | | | 1979
soulandfunkmusic.com
Ivan Lins's album A Noite | emi odeon records | | from 1979 on Emi / Odeon records. All information of this Soul or Funk Album Like fragments, covers, tracks.
Musicology: Ivan Lins - A Noite 1979
madshoesmusicology.blogspot.com
Ivan Lins - A Noite 1979 Renowned as a carioca songwriter, vocalist, and pianist, Ivan Lins recorded several albums for EMI Brasil and Reprise, as well as writing Brazilian standards. Born in 1945, Lins came to fame in Brazil in 1970 when Elis Regina recorded his song "Magdalena" for a hit. His worldwide debut, A Noite, appeared in 1979.
Ivan Lins - A Noite | 1979
discosqueouvi.blogspot.com
I'd like to share Fabian Chacur's take on the album, from the Mondo Pop channel. A Noite (1979), now forty years old, is one of Ivan Lins's best LPs.
O brilho musical de um trio que iluminou uma longa noite
immub.org
Author's note: To mark Ivan Lins's 80th birthday celebration, the IMMUB's theme of the month, I bring readers a revised version of the article I wrote in 2022 about the album 'A Noite', released by the musician in 1979.
