Milton Nascimento’s Legacy Lives On: A New Album with Esperanza Spalding
A Legendary Brazilian Singer-Songwriter’s Farewell Tour
When legendary Brazilian singer-songwriter Milton Nascimento celebrated a lifetime in music with his 2022 farewell tour, it would have been safe to assume that he would also retire from the recording studio. However, just before the final tour came to an end, Nascimento’s son asked jazz prodigy Esperanza Spalding to produce the icon’s next album.
A Career That Changed the Course of Latin Music
Throughout his career, Nascimento single-handedly changed the course of Latin music with a perpetually nostalgic, mystically tinged sound that drew freely from Afro-Brazilian tradition, Beatlesque psychedelia, and the purity of South American folk. His 1972 classic "Clube da Esquina" is one of many masterpieces that he released between the late Sixties and the Nineties (for Milton neophytes, his 1979 English-language session "Journey to Dawn" also provides a magnificent entry point).
A New Album with Esperanza Spalding
But just before the final tour came to an end, Nascimento’s son asked jazz prodigy Esperanza Spalding to produce the icon’s next album. Spalding had discovered his music while studying at the Berklee College of Music, and it had a profound impact on her compositions. She jumped at the chance, moved to Rio, and set up recording equipment in Nascimento’s favorite room, where the artist, now 81, spends hours watching Brazilian soap operas.
The result of their collaboration is "Milton + Esperanza," an episodic, strikingly impressionistic album that combines reworked Nascimento classics with new Spalding originals, warm audio vignettes, and a couple of intriguing covers: The Beatles’ "A Day in the Life" and Michael Jackson’s "Earth Song." They are joined by Spalding’s core band, and guest stars such as Paul Simon and Dianne Reeves.
A Soulful Connection
"Nobody can have a perfect understanding of what somebody else’s world is about," says Spalding over Zoom when asked about her instinctive connection with Nascimento’s universe. "Maybe the point is that your soul recognizes a truth in that world that resonates with you."
"My music stems from childhood and my travels and friendships," adds Nascimento, as Spalding looks on adoringly. "My heart beats strong, and the songs just pour out."
Trending
There are no plans for Nascimento and Spalding to tour behind the album, but the verve with which she adds new shades to his classic compositions like "Cais" and "Outubro" should revive an interest in his work outside of Brazil, where Nascimento is already celebrated as a national hero.
"I was just trying to make a good record with my friend and muse," Spalding says. "I had so many songs from the last 15 years that were inspired by Milton, that it was easy to find a few that I hadn’t recorded yet."
Conclusion
"Milton + Esperanza" is a testament to the enduring power of music to transcend generations and borders. The album is a loving tribute to Nascimento’s legacy, and a celebration of the soulful connection that exists between two musical giants. With its unique blend of reworked classics and new originals, this album is sure to delight fans of both Nascimento and Spalding, and introduce them to a new audience.
FAQs
Q: What inspired Esperanza Spalding to produce Milton Nascimento’s next album?
A: Spalding had discovered Nascimento’s music while studying at the Berklee College of Music, and it had a profound impact on her compositions. She jumped at the chance to work with the legendary singer-songwriter.
Q: What is the tone of the album "Milton + Esperanza"?
A: The album is an episodic, strikingly impressionistic collection of reworked Nascimento classics, new Spalding originals, warm audio vignettes, and a couple of intriguing covers.
Q: Will Nascimento and Spalding tour behind the album?
A: There are no plans for a tour, but the album’s release is expected to revive interest in Nascimento’s work outside of Brazil.
Q: What is the significance of the album’s title "Milton + Esperanza"?
A: The title reflects the collaborative nature of the album, which brings together two musical giants from different generations and genres.
