Vida de Artista
Sueli Costa
1978
Why This Album Matters
Vida de Artista, released in 1978, is one of the foundational albums in Sueli Costa's discography, solidifying her position as one of the most expressive composers of Brazilian Popular Music. The album stands out for its melodic sophistication and the depth of its lyrics, which explore the complexities of being, human relationships, and the artist's own condition with a unique sensibility. In this work, Sueli Costa transcends the role of mere singer to present herself as a visceral interpreter of her own creations, revealing the poetic soul that made her famous. The record, rich in arrangements and instrumentation, is a faithful portrait of the musical effervescence of MPB in the late 70s, with Sueli imprinting her signature with compositions that would become classics of the national songbook. Her music, marked by high poetic density, is often attuned to the feminine universe, resonating emotions and experiences with an honesty that captivates the listener, making Vida de Artista a work that remains relevant and moving.
Context
In 1978, Brazil was experiencing the end of its military dictatorship, a period which, despite the repression, saw MPB flourish as a space for artistic resistance and expression, often with metaphorical lyrics to bypass censorship. Sueli Costa had already built a solid reputation as a composer, having her songs recorded by major names since the 60s, such as Nara Leão, Elis Regina and Maria Bethânia, consolidating notable partnerships with renowned lyricists. Before Vida de Artista, Sueli had already released other authorial albums in 1975 and 1977, demonstrating a growing assertion as a singer-songwriter in her own voice. In that same year of 1978, the artist undertook a tour of the North and Northeast of the country as part of Projeto Pixinguinha, performing alongside great names such as Paulinho da Viola, Moraes Moreira and Fagner, which demonstrates her prominence in the Brazilian music scene at the time.
Recording
The album Vida de Artista, recorded in 1978, featured a stellar technical team, responsible for shaping and adding lustre to Sueli Costa's compositions. Artistic direction was handled by Milton Miranda, with production direction by Mariozinho Rocha. Executive production, orchestration and conducting were handled by Dori Caymmi, who brought a layer of instrumental sophistication to the work. The team of musicians included talents such as Gilson Peranzzetta on electric piano, Jamil Joanes on bass, Toninho Horta on guitar, Rubinho Moreira on drums, Danilo Caymmi on flute, Pinduca (Luiz Antônio Almeida da Anunciação) on vibraphone and Wanda Eichbauer on harp. Furthermore, the album benefited from a rich string section, with violins led by Giancarlo Pareschi (leader), violas with Arlindo Penteado and Frederich Stephany, and cellos with Marcio Mallard and Iberê Gomes Grosso, among others, all contributing to the elaborate and engaging sound of the record. It was released by the label EMI-Odeon Fonográfica, Industrial e Eletrônica S.A.
Songs
Vida de Artista presents a repertoire of songs that became Sueli Costa's trademarks, many of them in partnerships that have been perpetuated in MPB. The title track, "Vida de Artista", is a collaboration with Abel Silva and stands out for its reflection on the essence of life in the artistic world. Other important partnerships with Abel Silva include "Vento Nordeste", "Frutos do Mar", "Bóias de Luz" and "Aos Pedaços", demonstrating the fertility of this creative union. "Medo de Amar Nº 2", in partnership with Tite de Lemos, is another gem from the album, revealing a sensitive approach to feelings. The album also features the beautiful "Dorme, Meu Menino Dorme", with lyrics by Cecília Meirelles, and "Mãos", with lyrics by Aldir Blanc, demonstrating Sueli Costa's ability to set to music poets of great calibre and to collaborate with the greatest lyricists of her generation. The song "4 de Dezembro" features the participation of her sister, Telma Costa.
Legacy
Vida de Artista consolidated Sueli Costa's work and had a lasting impact on Brazilian music. The title track, "Vida de Artista", became a landmark and was successfully re-recorded by Gal Costa on the album Água Viva, released in the same year, further solidifying the status of the composition and the composer. The song's title, moreover, became a kind of epithet for Sueli Costa herself. The album was re-released on CD in 1994 by the EMI-Odeon label, in the "Série Dois em um", alongside her 1975 record, which attests to its importance and the continuous interest in her work. Sueli Costa's influence is so great that years later, Wanderléa dedicated an entire album to her songs, including "Vida de Artista", underlining the recognition and reach of the composer's work. Her songs, in general, always gained additional lustre in the voices of great interpreters, but her authorial work on this album remains a testament to its uniqueness.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
Dori Caymmi
Dori Caymmi
Mariozinho Rocha
Luiz Claudio Ramos
Jamil Joanes, Sebastião Marinho
Paulinho Braga, Rubinho
Danilo Caymmi
Toninho Horta
Wanda Eichbaver
Gilson Peranzzetta
Pinduca
Osmar Furtado
Nivaldo Duarte
Carlinhos
Mello Menezes
Pedro De Moraes
Books
Analyses
Universos com Bel Ayala: Sueli Costa - Vida De Artista (1978)
belayala.blogspot.com
Em 1978, gravou "Vida de artista", LP que contou com a participação de sua irmã Telma Costa na faixa "4 de dezembro". Ainda nesse ano, realizou turnê no Norte e Nordeste do país pelo Projeto Pixinguinha, apresentando-se com Paulinho da Viola, Moraes Moreira, Fagner, Gonzaguinha e Terezinha de Jesus.
Wanderléa aparece em foto de 1958 na capa do disco em que canta Sueli - G1
g1.globo.com
Como o subtítulo já explicita, Wanderléa dá voz a canções da compositora mineira Sueli Costa neste álbum gravado em estúdio e derivado de show estreado em 2013.
Cliquemusic : Disco : VIDA DE ARTISTA
cliquemusic.com.br
Sueli Costa (1978) 1978 EMI-Odeon 064 422840 Faixas 1 Vida de artista (Abel Silva, Sueli Costa) 2 Medo de amar nº 2 (Tite de Lemos, Sueli Costa) 3 Movimento da vida (Sueli Costa) 4 Vento nordeste (Abel Silva, Sueli Costa) 5 Fruto do mar (Abel Silva, Sueli Costa) 6 Dorme, meu menino dorme (Sueli Costa) 7 Mãos (Aldir Blanc, Sueli Costa)
Sueli Costa - Vida de Artista (1975) | Toque Musical
toque-musicall.com
As músicas apresentadas neste primeiro álbum são obras já consasgradas através de outros intérpretes. Suas parcerias mais constantes, principalmente nas músicas que tiveram maior sucesso são Tite de Lemos e Abel Silva.
Wanderléa canta Sueli Costa em disco sem nunca atingir dimensão ... - G1
g1.globo.com
Nas canções mais densas, contudo, Vida de artista se revela álbum dispensável na discografia da cantora.
Discogs
Vida de Artista – Discogs
discogs.com