By Maíra Amorim, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO – Cat Power was originally set to perform just one show in Brazil, at São Paulo’s Via Funchal. Pressure from Carioca fans motivated the North American singer to change tack, and she eventually booked an extra show at the HSBC Arena in Barra da Tijuca. One of Rio’s biggest concert halls, which seats 15,000 people.
Some critics say that producers have overestimated Cat’s popularity in Brazil, as not even the hugely popular band REM was capable of carrying a full house at the venue. But fans are nevertheless thrilled that she has added Rio to her concert tour. Her first show will take place in São Paulo on July 18, followed by Rio on July 19.
It will be the 37-year-old singer’s second concert in Rio. The first took place in 2007 at the famous Tim Festival – an annual event where Cariocas have the chance to see a bevy of foreign artists who come to perform at the telecoms sponsored event.
Cat Power will present her most recent album, “Jukebox”, released in 2008, accompanied by “The Dirty Delta Blues”, composed of Judah Bauer (guitars), Gregg Foreman (keyboard), Erik Paparozzi (bass) and Jim White (drums). For the show, the HSBC Arena will be transformed with chairs and tables, a setting that is created for the more venue’s more intimate concerts.
Cat Power was born Charlyn Marie Marshall in Atlanta and is also known as Chan Marshall. The daughter of a pianist, she dropped out of high school and moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. Her first series of gigs took place at a bar in Brooklyn in 1992. After that she met music producers and recorded her two first albums “Dear Sir” (1995) and “Myra Lee” (1996) in the same day at a New York studio. It didn’t take long before Cat was recognized as an indie icon for her minimalist folk music.
The singer has battled depression and drug and alcohol abuse, and was checked into rehab in Miami in 2006. In the same year, she recovered and released what is considered one of her best albums, “The Greatest”. “Jukebox” has also received good reviews so far, and many in the music press have noted that her best work has come out since she quit drinking.
Cat’s latest album is a mix of covers and original songs with folk, country, blues and jazz influences, recorded with the back-up band “Dirty Delta Blues”. She is also praised for high production values and of course for having an unforgettable voice – just the right combination of sensuality, depth and heat that keeps audiences coming back for more. Rio is in for a treat when Cat takes the stage, in what is shaping up to be an epic performance.
Cat Power in Rio
July 19, 2009 at 8PM
HSBC Arena, Av. Embaixador Abelardo Bueno 3401, Barra da Tijuca.
Tickets from R$80