Ana Caram, Aparecida Silvino, Bebel Gilberto, Carol Saboya, Clarisse Grova, Elis Regina, Fátima Guedes, Gal Costa, Idilva Germano, Joyce, Leila Pinheiro, Maria Bethânia, Nana Caymmi, Rosa Passos, Simone, Simone Guimarães, Suely Costa, Zélia Duncan -- unquestionable voices that represent Brazil's diverse musical strength in female performers.

Chico Pinheiro, Dilermando Reis, Garoto, Guinga, João Gilberto, Juarez Moreira, Lula Galvão, Maria do Céu, Nelson Faria, Paulinho Nogueira, Raphael Rabello, Ricardo Silveira, Romero Lubambo, Toquinho, Yamandú -- guitarists that carry the powerful Brazilian distinction of excellence in guitar performance.

Add to the above lists the names of Marianna Leporace and Willians Pereira, respectively.

Singer, actress, producer Marianna Leporace (Rio de Janeiro, 1966) has been keeping very busy since her solo debut São Bonitas as Canções in 2000. Since then, she has released three volumes of her Pop Acústico project, another independent album with music by Alexandre Lemos (Lucidez), one CD with her group O Quinto and a Japanese CD/DVD honoring the daughters of Bossa Nova. On top of all of that, Marianna also found time to pair up with Willians Pereira (Rio de Janeiro, 1968) to release her latest album, A Canção, a Voz e o Violão.

As the name of the album implies, this is a voice and acoustic guitar project only. Just as previously done with Sheila Zagury on piano, this time Marianna Leporace adds her voice to Willians Pereira's acoustic guitar. Together, they bring music from Chico Buarque, Edu Lobo, Milton Nascimento, Cartola, Guinga, Sueli Costa and other exponents in Brazilian music. The union of Marianna's and Willians' leading performances are naturally beautiful and uncontrived. The choice to open the album with "Canções e Momentos" is proof of how lyrics, voice and guitar form an indivisible gem. The statement that "there are songs and moments that I don't know how to explain" takes the listener to the bottom of Marianna and Willians' original idea for the album. With them we travel the vast horizons of unforgettable music and interpretation. Cartola's "Cordas de Aço" is yet another example of the caliber of this repertoire. After talking about songs in the opening track, this tune is an affirmation of the love Brazilians have for acoustic guitars. The theme of song, voice and acoustic guitar repeats itself in all tracks, such as "Certas Canções," "A Voz do Dono e o Dono da Voz" and "Violão." Paulo César Pinheiro's lyrics for "Violão" are an extension of what Cartola had previously done in "Cordas de Aço." Having both of these songs in the album is a rare treat to be savored over and over. It is also a joy to hear the world famous "O Cantador" with its message of hope and strength to reach all corners of the world, just as the song itself has done.

A Canção, a Voz e o Violão excels with a fine repertoire and exciting performances by the voices and acoustic guitar of Marianna Leporace and Willians Pereira. The album is proof that less is more, and that all it takes is superb quality as these two artists present here to have such a fine recording.

+ Marianna Leporace

E.L.