Known for her rich lyrics, and the melodies and harmonies of bossa nova, Leila Pinheiro changed her approach for Na Ponta da Lingua. The opening vignette warns the listener not to judge others "desta água não beberei" ("I won't drink from that water" is an old Brazilian saying to discourage judging others). The album is almost completely devoted to new pop composers, and the first song, "Abril," by Adriana Calcanhotto, reveals strong autobiographical strings with its aggressive pop drumming: "I feel the embrace of time tightened/Redrawing my choices/Even me, who wanted to change everything." "Pra Dizer a Verdade" provides a change of pace -- it's a beautiful samba-canção by Sérgio Santos, which Leila approaches with her trademark sensitive style. "Sentado à Beira do Caminho" is a melancholic hit from the '70s which describes a person seated at the side of a road, waiting for an old lover. "Aina Mais" is a wonderful samba by Eduardo Gudin/Paulinho da Viola, whose rendition flirts dangerously with the "pagodinho romântico" via the cheesy keyboards of the intro, but it soon regains its composure. Other highlights include "Mais uma Boca," a composition by Fátima Guedes (who participated in 1980's Festival da Nova Música Popular Brasileira), that addresses abandoned children; "Por Favor" (Ivan Lins/Aldir Blanc), a beautiful samba-canção; the lyrical "Sorriso de Luz," by Gilson Peranzzetta, and the hot, strongly Northeastern "Influência de Jackson," by Guinga/Aldir Blanc, with Pinheiro at ease in the sophisticated swing. The rest of the album is dedicated to nostalgic pop ballads.
© Alvaro Neder /TiVo