Lisa Ono Music

I am Brazilian but I live in the US. My wife and I recently visited Brazil. We listened to Lisa's songs at a hotel where we stayed overlooking the water and it was delightful. Her songs are so soothing. We immediately ordered our CD online through Amazon to continue enjoying her beautiful songs in the US.
I lived in Brazil for 28 years and I had never heard of her. I strongly recommend this CD. I would also buy this CD as a gift to a friend.

Lisa Ono is the ambassor of modern Bossa Nova. She has helped to maintain and develop this easy swinging Brazilian genre into the new millenium. She goes further to embrace variety of world's light music traditions. She has been putting out about 1 album per year, including styles of Hawaii, American Oldies, Xmas, Italian, and of course the latest French Pops -- the focus of this evaluation.

'Dans Monile' is a pleasant album to be in your CD player for an easy relaxing session. It contains many familiar tunes you've heard on the radio, such as LES FEUILLES MORTES,LES PARAPLUIES DE CHERBOURG, SALADE DE FRUITS, LA VIE EN ROSE, etc, plus some less known classics. Her bossa nova no-vibrato voice is soothing, joyful, yet distinctive. You can easily recognize her voice from any bad radio transmissions, and you will say ' Ahhh, that is Lisa Ono. She sounds so great.'

The primary reason I did not give this album 5 stars is the montonous instrumental arrangements. The whole album has the same basic setting: Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra providing cheesy string background plus a few solos here and there. Mario Adnet, in my opinion, did a lazy job as music director/ arranger.

Beautiful moments? Yes, there are a quite few. The pianist Febian Reza Pane is a true gem, setting the happy and romantic tone so well that you can forgive how lousy the orchestra is. I cannot wait to find more of his performances. Accordians by Richard Galliano and vibe by Tatuji Deguchi are also worth honorable mentions. The solo musicians in the album are well balanced with the entire piece as supporting roles to the wonderful singer.

The album includes tracks composed by Lisa Ono. The two french-like pieces have, again, proved that Ms. Ono is a prolific song writer herself.

In summary, 'Dans Monile' is worth checking out if you like soft and subtle french tunes, or you are curious to find out how Bossa Nova can seamlessly merge with Chanson. If you have almost all Ms. Ono's albums like I do, you will agree that this CD is not the peak of Lisa's creations. Esperanca(1004), Bossa Carioca(1998), Boas Festas (2000), Bossa Hula Nova (2001) are Ms. Ono's better works.

You will find the most sung and well-known pieces are jazzily presented by Lisa's clear (as well as her French pronunciation), sexy, rich, yet refreshing voice in this French album.

This album has a good jazz production in terms of how the base, piano, percussion, saxophone, and the [singer's] voice are introduced in a delightful arrangement.
The tempo and the order of the songs consistently provide a relaxing atmosphere.

When you listen to it, it will bring you in...

La Rive Gauche (the Left Bank of Paris) sipping a cafe-au-lait in a Spring afternoon, and feeling c'est la vie.


Pros:
Lyrics and translations are included. Digital copy protection.

I first heard this album while having lunch with my wife at the restaurant 'Afternoon Tea' in the Shinjuku section of Tokyo in August 2003 - just after it was released. It was a very enjoyable experience and Lisa's music made it a very romantic time. We enjoyed it so much that we immediately bought a copy. She sings French Bossa Nova in such a soft, clear, wonderful, very-unique voice. Many of the tunes are standards which you will immediately recognize. I was amazed that she also wrote several of the songs on this album, which I enjoyed more than the standards. This album is a must have for anyone looking for relaxed or romantic listening.

This is the first time I listen to Ono Lisa and I do not know French. However, in this particular CD at least, Lisa's beautiful voice and the wonderful bossa nova beats really crossed the language barrier and touched me.

Her silky voice and the enchanting melody linger in my mind long after the music has ended. Pull up a chair and get yourself a great cup of coffee. Listen to Lisa during a slow summer afternoon. I am sure you will be moved as I was.

Lisa teams up with Mario Adnet to create a beautiful mix of the music of Hawai'i and Brazil. John Book, a noted Hawaiian music reviewer had this to say about Bossa Hula Nova: "Lisa Ono is a Japanese-Brazilian guitarist/vocalist who has gained recognition for her unique take on the music of Brazil. Fans of acid jazz may recognize her from her appearances on Monday Michiru's records. For her new album, Lisa Ono embraces the music of Hawai'i in a way that has hasn't been heard since the golden days of vinyl. 'Bossa Hula Nova' brought Lisa to Hawai'i to immerse herself in Hawaiian music, by bringing her love of Brazilian music and mixing the two cultures with her own. The end result is surprisingly refreshing..." The album is sung in Portuguese, Hawaiian, and English. Particularly lovely on this album is the song "Aloha 'Oe," which opens with a lovely bossa flute and piano introduction, and features a duet with Teresa Bright.

A Japanese co-worker put this CD on one day, and the effect was pure bliss! I've become an instant fan. This CD, along with Saudade are my personal favorites.

I havn't ordered any albums yet, but I feel that what I heard and saw on the evening of Feb. 5 , 2001 should be shared with everyone. I had just finished work and I was headed to my car, when this sudden rush of the "Bossa Nova" put me in a trance. I followed the echoes through the hallways and much to my surprise, I saw Lisa Ono performing live. She is definitely a "Bossa Nova Diva". Aloha!

Not to get me wrong, I love Astrud, but Lisa Ono is truly the Japanese Queen of Bossa Nova. Her voice is so romantic and breathy and she strikes notes with perfection. This is definitely one of my favorite CD's. Not alot of people have heard of Lisa Ono, but this is your chance!! Trust me, this is one the the best bossa nova albums I have ever heard.

Lisa Ono is Japan's most acclaimed bossa nova artist, and this CD is an excellent introduction to her work. If you're familiar with the bossa nova style of Brazilian music, you'll be very pleasantly surprised by her talent, and also surprised that someone this good is not better known in the USA. Check out the song "Clea," which was a hit for her in Japan. Lisa's fresh approach provides a wonderfully modern update to the bossa style created in the early 1960's by Jobim and others. If you like Brazilian music, this CD is not to be missed!

The best living female Bossa Nova artist. Lisa Ono's Menina is simply excellence in this genre. The most mellow music on the planet. Listen to it again and again and again.

I love Lisa Ono, I think I have all her CD's, and like any artist, her CD's have good songs and not so good songs. Well, this CD is absolutely solid, there is not one weak song on this CD. This is the CD you want in your collection.

I've visited countries where the local rhythm is the samba and the bossa nova, and Lisa Ono is definitely world-class. If you're a fan of this genre, or looking for music to relax to, start with this CD. Once you're hooked, you'll definitely want to get her other compilations as well!

Lisa Ono is fabulous. From the opening track its like sitting on warm beach with a pina colada, pure relaxation. She can sing with any of the great Brazilian singers. Her voice is outstanding, the song selection great and the musicianship top notch. I particularly like the title track and Nao Tem Nada Nao, which I know from Marcos Valle's version. I was very happy to hear that. As usual I could deal without some of the string arrangements but will put up with it just to hear her gorgeous voice. She is probably my favorite "new" artist, new to me that is, having discovered her within the past year or so. Too bad her discs are hard to find in the US. I hope she would come to the US and play Yoshi's on Oakland, a Japanese club no less!

Lisa owns perhaps one of the best female's voice singing Bossa Nova & Brazilian Jazz and by far. And if you don't believe it, just purchase this album and witness it yourself. I also admire other Brazilian singers such as Elis,Ana,Leila,Rosa, Astrud etc. etc., but the pitch,phrasing,taste,performance and interpretation of Lisa's are peerless: and if on top of that you add the contirbution of a Bossa Nova Monster like Joao Donato, this album is nothing but a bliss and a bless to your ears; the best songs to my opinion: Minha Saudade & Quem Diz que Sabe. Please do yourself a big favor and purchase this album; you won't ever regret it !!!!!.