Directed by Nelson Motta and Walter Salles Jr., this show revealed one of the most authentic artists in Brazilian music.
It was Nelson Motta, with his keen ear, who "discovered" Marisa Monte and her beautiful voice during a performance in Rome, Italy. The Rio-born artist was studying opera singing, and the journalist saw the potential for an opera singer to become a prominent name in popular music. And he wasn't wrong. In fact, many consider Marisa's rise to fame as Motta's greatest contribution to Brazilian Popular Music.
Together, they got to work. Nelson adapted "E Po' Che Fà," a song by Pino Daniele, into Portuguese, which became known as "Bem Que Se Quis." Marisa brought her singing and performance skills, talents that were on full display in the special "MM Live," broadcast on TV Manchete in 1989. The show was directed by Nelson alongside Walter Salles Jr.
The performance, recorded at the Teatro Villa-Lobos, showcased an artist who, in some ways, was already recognized by fans of rock, jazz, and Brazilian Popular Music. But she wasn't yet a household name, as she is today.
For those who discovered Marisa later, through her other radio hits and performances, the 1989 show might feel different: a visceral concert where raw, powerful vocals blend with the sweet softness of a 22-year-old rising star. The setlist features a diverse range of classics from the Brazilian songbook: "Comida" (Arnaldo Antunes, Marcelo Fromer, Sérgio Britto), "Ando Meio Desligado" (Sérgio Dias, Arnaldo Baptista, Rita Lee), "Negro Gato" (Getulio Cortes), and many others.
In a short time, the TV special became an album, which was a hit and led to both national and international tours. "MM Live" was the richest gateway for Marisa Monte, showcasing her as a unique interpreter. As if that wasn't enough, within a few years, she also proved to be an excellent songwriter. This marked the birth of what we can call a complete artist, although at the time, critics had a different opinion. But that's a story for another article.
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