
Clara Moreno: Miss Balanç o (Far Out Recordings, 2009) Though her promo material is replete with dubious claims -- what could it mean that "Clara Moreno embodies her image"? -- her new CD is a winning item. The Brazilian singer's sixth recording reaches back to classic samba rhythms and instruments, and forward with modern production values and sprinklings of jazz. The quality of the album certainly rests in part with Moreno's mother/producer Joyce . [...]

As promised, we begin more Best of 2007 counting down. Every Friday from now until the end of the year (expect next Friday as I'll be on vacation), I will focus on a list of TEN best of's. We start with a look back at this year's Guiltiest Pleasures . Kelly Willis ( original post ) Alt-country blond babe: Kelly Willis ~ Nobody Wants To Go [...]

Ozomatli ~ Don't Mess with the Dragon Over The Rhine ~ The Trumpet Child The New Pornographers ~ Challengers Clara Moreno ~ Meu Samba Torto Lori McKenna ~ Unglamorous Blitzen Trapper ~ Wild Mountain Nation Beirut ~ The Flying Club Cup More: 7 from '07s Many of these artists are available for your 25 [...]

This is a mix of songs that are the last cut on albums released in 2007 by ladies. Of course, you could probably ascertain that from the title. Just call me The Duke of Redundancy. 1. Adrienne Young ~ Happy Ending 2. Clara Moreno ~ Tenderly 3. Feist ~ How My Heart Behaves 4. Bebel Gilberto ~ Words 5. Patty Griffin ~ Crying Over 6. Eleni Mandell ~ Miss Me [...]

With Fall just around the corner, makes me feel like whistling. How 'bout you? Pinocchio ~ Give A Little Whistle Dee Lite ~ Groove Is In The Heart Ani DiFranco ~ Manhole (Andrew Bird whistling) Andrew Bird ~ Plasticities Clara Moreno ~ Mon Menage A Moi The Fratellis ~ Whistle for the Choir DJ Aligator ~ The Whistle Song (Blow My Whistle Baby) [...]

The Duke has decided to start another new weekly feature. Where he examines musician parents and their musician children. The focus will be on the lesser none parents/children (Jakob and Bob WON'T be featured on this feature). Brazilian Bossa Nova guitar queen Joyce begat Clara (with the help of Tutty, drummer and arranger). No wonder Clara is a gifted musician... Joyce ~ A Hard Day's Night Clara Moreno ~ Sabe Quem? (featuring Joyce on the guitar) RIYL: sultry ladies singing Bossa Nova a la Bebel or Ceu [...]

I don't know much about Clara Moreno. You can buy this album from eMusic (or use some of you 25 FREE Downloads from eMusic to get it). I do know she has a Brazilian/Bossa Nova sound that makes me happy. Copacabana Meu Samba Torto Sabe Quem? Further study: myspace Hype Machine elbo Buy from Amazon More [...]