Dez Anos Depois
Nara Leão
1971
Why This Album Matters
Dez Anos Depois, released in 1971, is a fundamental double album in Nara Leão's discography, marking her significant reconciliation and reunion with bossa nova. After years of an restless artistic journey, which led her from the genre's muse to a protest singer and a participant in Tropicalismo, Nara returns to her roots with a work that recontextualises classics in a deeply personal and introspective way. Away from the political effervescence and experiments of previous years, this album offers a mature and serene perspective on the songbook she helped to shape. The album stands out for its intimate and minimalist sound, especially on the first disc, recorded with a predominantly acoustic arrangement. Nara's interpretations, which often barely go beyond a whisper, are described as emotionally powerful and capable of creating ethereal soundscapes, where voice and guitars intertwine in echo. This singular approach not only revisits consecrated melodies but also reveals new layers of sensibility in the compositions, consolidating Dez Anos Depois as a timeless work and a testament to Nara Leão's versatility and artistic mastery in Brazilian music.
Context
Nara Leão was a pivotal figure in the birth of bossa nova, with the famous musical gatherings that originated the movement taking place in her parents' apartment in Rio de Janeiro. However, her trajectory led her to move away from the 'bossa nova muse' label, engaging in more politicised projects, such as the show 'Opinião' in 1964, and joining the Tropicalismo movement with her participation in the album Tropicália ou Panis et Circensis in 1968. In late 1969, Nara Leão moved to Paris with her then-husband, filmmaker Cacá Diegues, partly due to the intensification of repression by the Brazilian military dictatorship and threats to artists. She even announced the end of her musical career in London in August 1969. During her stay in Paris, she dedicated herself to motherhood after the birth of her first daughter, Isabel, in September 1970. It was during this period of exile and reflection that, in 1971, she recorded Dez Anos Depois, marking a surprising return and a reconciliation with the musical genre that had launched her.
Recording
Released in 1971, Dez Anos Depois was produced by Roberto Menescal and is distinguished by having been recorded on two different continents. The first LP of the double album is entirely acoustic and was recorded at Polydor Studios in Paris, France, where Nara Leão resided at the time. The arrangements and accompaniment were handled by the talented Brazilian guitarist Tuca, with occasional piano interventions, and Nara's voice was captured in intimate sessions with Tuca. Mr. Bonzon served as sound engineer in these Parisian sessions. The second LP, in turn, was recorded in Brazil, at the Companhia Brasileira de Discos (CBD) studios, in Rio de Janeiro. On this record, Nara's voice and guitar were recorded separately from the accompaniment and orchestration, which featured the mastery of arrangers such as Roberto Menescal, Luiz Eça and Rogério Duprat. Ary Carvalhaes and João Moreira were the recording technicians responsible for the sessions held on Brazilian soil.
Songs
The album Dez Anos Depois is composed of 24 tracks, most of them bossa nova standards that have become timeless. The repertoire functions almost as a songbook dedicated to Antônio Carlos Jobim, whose compositions dominate the selection. In addition to Jobim, the album features works by other giants such as Vinicius de Moraes, Carlos Lyra, Newton Mendonça, Chico Buarque, Johnny Alf, Baden Powell and Dolores Duran. Among the most notable songs are 'Insensatez', 'Samba de uma nota só', 'Retrato em branco e preto', 'Corcovado', 'Garota de Ipanema', 'Chega de Saudade', 'O Grande Amor', 'Desafinado', 'Minha Namorada' and 'Primavera'. Nara's reinterpretations are characterised by her 'stripped-down' approach, seeking the essence and latent potential of these masterpieces. The album also includes the song 'Vou por aí', by Baden Powell and Aloysio de Oliveira, which Nara had already recorded on her 1964 debut album, completing a cycle of her relationship with bossa nova. Curiously, the album does not include any composition by Ronaldo Bôscoli, a reflection of the personal break between the two artists.
Legacy
Dez Anos Depois is widely considered a notable double album, which not only revisited Nara Leão's musical trajectory but also celebrated her important contributions to Brazilian music. Its critical reception was largely positive, evidenced by a 4.8/5 rating from Sputnikmusic, a recognition of the work's intrinsic quality. The album is classified as an 'essential bossa nova double album', confirming its prominent place in the genre. The way Nara Leão recontextualised bossa nova standards, with her intimate and minimalist approach, offered a unique and innovative perspective, distinguishing itself from interpretations that had achieved international success in the previous decade. Even five decades after its 1971 release, Dez Anos Depois is still perceived as a 'new' and fresh work, demonstrating the timelessness and lasting relevance of Nara Leão's artistic vision.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
Roberto Menescal
Tuca
Jean Bonzon
Ary Carvalhaes, João Moreira
Nei Sroulevich
Videos
LED ZEPPELIN 4 A HISTÓRIA DO DISCO QUE VOLTOU PARA O DONO 25 ANOS DEPOIS | Meu Vinil Perdido 28
Canal Meu Vinil Perdido
Films
Books
Nara Leão: Trajetória, engajamento e movimentos musicais
Daniel Lopes Saraiva · 2018
Este livro, escrito pelo historiador Daniel Lopes Saraiva, explora a trajetória de Nara Leão, seu engajamento político e social, e sua influência nos movimentos musicais brasileiros. A obra analisa sua discografia e legado, sendo altamente provável que dedique atenção significativa a álbuns importantes como 'Dez Anos Depois'.
Nara Leão: uma biografia
Sérgio Cabral · 2016
Especialista em história da música popular brasileira, o jornalista e escritor Sérgio Cabral compõe um relato da vida da cantora, voz que não apenas esteve na linha de frente dos principais momentos da moderna música brasileira, mas também se engajou como poucas na política de seu tempo. Esta é considerada a biografia mais abrangente de Nara Leão.
Analyses
Dez Anos Depois – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Álbum de 1971 em que Nara Leão se reconciliou com a bossa ainda ... - G1
g1.globo.com
Na concepção original de Nara, Dez anos depois seria álbum de voz e violões - o de Tuca e o da própria Nara - com fidelidade ao espírito minimalista da bossa nova.
Nara Leão - Dez Anos Depois (1971) - musicasdonordeste.net
musicasdonordeste.net
O disco dividido em duas partes, reúne os maiores sucessos do cantor em seus 20 anos de carreira, com canções como "Avôhai", "Chao de Giz", "Bicho de 7 Cabecas", e entre outras.
Nara Leão - Dez anos depois… o seu retorno à bossa-nova em 1971
musicaemprosa.com
Nara Leão só se reconciliaria efetivamente com a Bossa Nova em 1971, quando gravou o Lp duplo Dez Anos Depois. Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes, Carlos Lyra, Baden Powell, Johnny Alf, Newton Mendonça e Chico Buarque.
Discografia Básica: Nara Leão, "Dez Anos Depois" (1971).
bossajazzbrasil.com
"Dez Anos Depois" é um álbum duplo de 1971 dos padrões da bossa nova da cantora brasileira Nara Leão. O primeiro LP é totalmente acústico. Os arranjos e acompanhamentos, feitos pelo violonista brasileiro Tuca, com ocasionais linhas de piano, foram gravados na França. Nara estava morando em Paris na época. Faixas: Disco 1: Insensatez
Discogs
Dez Anos Depois – Discogs
discogs.com