“This is my way of celebrating reproduction”
So joked Grammy winning Caetano Veloso, as he sat and sang amongst his three sons Moreno, Tom and Zeca during a 90 minute family fest of song. The father, in rich voice and ease of melody showed that the acorns don’t fall far from the tree, as the mixing of progeny in lead and supporting roles of the various songs gave new meaning to the oft-used phrase “family values.”
The sons created a balm of harmonies for dad on easy swaying pieces with Moreno on tambourine, Zeca on bass and Tom on lithe guitar for the swaying “Baby” the sweet and gentle “Oracao Ao Tempo” and the passionate “Ela E Eu” as he sang and whistled with calm serenity. Things got playful with Moreno switching to a scraping out a pulse on a plate for the skippy and upbeat “Boas Vindas” and festive table dance of “Reonvexo” and even some sandpaper shifted like desert sands on the sensuous “Trem Das Cores.”
But like all wise fathers, Caetano let his sons share the spotlight, with Zeca’s haunting falsetto and contemplative keyboards on the delicate “Todo Homem,” Moreno delivering a cute and quaint “Be Kind To Your Parents” and Tom’s folksy guitar and voice producing a pair of soft ballads “Clarao” and De Tentar Volta.”
The family catalogue was further opened with songs dedicated to the son’s mothers, as Caetano was passionate on “Ela E Eu” and declarative during “No Me Arrependo.” As with all family get togethers, there was time of joyful play, as the gents were relentlessly joyful on”Um Canto De Afoxe” and the funky “A Tua Presenca” before closing the show with a singalong “How Beautiful Could A Being Be.” The evening and three song concert showed all of the wonders of family dynamics, from inside jokes to reckless dancing. The packed Ace Theater felt part of a family tradition, mixed with joys, sorrows and above all, loyalty.
Upcoming shows include The Gloaming 04/12, Anoushka Shankar 04/19 and Nico Muhly 05/10
Photos by Reed Hutchinson/CAP UCLA.