By Frank Scheck
Saturday, April 17

The Hollywood Reporter
Carnegie Hall, New York

Cultural cross-pollination was very much the theme for this concert, one of several events in a Carnegie Hall "Perspective" series curated by Brazilian singer-songwriter Caetano Veloso, the first nonclassical artist so honored. An intimate, acoustic evening featuring Veloso and David Byrne, accompanied only by a cellist and percussionist, it well demonstrated the artistic influence each performer has had on the other.

The evening began in low-key fashion, with Veloso delivering a series of gorgeous songs in Portuguese, his supple guitar work and high, crooning voice providing the aural equivalent of a soothing tropical drink. Each number was greeted rapturously by the sold-out and heavily Brazilian crowd, whose affection for the ever-smiling performer was obvious, even when he messed up the lyrics to one of his own songs.

A highlight of his short set, at least for this American listener, was his rendition of Rodgers & Hart's "Manhattan," from his new, first English- language album, "A Foreign Sound" (Nonesuch). Charmingly delivering this paean to New York in a heavy accent, his delight with Lorenz Hart's witty and very Noo Yawkish lyrics was infectious. He followed it up with "Manhata," his own musical salute to the city.

It was while he was singing David Byrne's "The Revolution" that Byrne himself casually strolled out and joined in. After an effusive introduction from Veloso in which he described Byrne as "the most chic of all rockers" and that "he heard Brazilian music like no one else," the former Talking Head delivered an acoustic set, accompanied only by a percussionist, that showcased both his compositional and performing brilliance.

Byrne, his voice sounding more powerful and versatile than ever, delivered a diverse set of songs from throughout his career, from Talking Heads classics such as "And She Was" (with a heavy emphasis on its complex rhythms), "Life During Wartime" ("This song becomes more appropriate, or inappropriate, with age," he commented) and "Road to Nowhere." He was particularly outstanding on his fiercely sung vocals on the latter number, as well as his dynamic, flamenco-style guitar flourishes on "God's Child (Come Dance With Me)."

Another series of duets between the two followed, beginning with "Dreamland," a number they composed together about Carmen Miranda for the "Red, Hot & Lisbon" CD. Their mutual affection and respect was palpable, and both earned their biggest cheers on the other's songs: Byrne, for singing in Portuguese, and Veloso for his excited choruses on "Nothing but Flowers."

Copyright ©2004 The Hollywood Reporter, Inc. All Rights Reserved.