On the 1st of October 2010 I sent an email to Roberto Menescal, one of my "heroes" of the Bossa Nova movement, asking him for help to find recordings of some of his songs with names of women that I intended to use in my second album "Mais Mulheres".
Let's face it: what is the probability of receiving an answer from an icon of the Bossa Nova to a request made by an unknown Portuguese singer, singing Brazilian music in Croatia? None!
But Roberto Menescal is not a common man, he is exceptional. He is a man whose generosity, optimism, talent and openness of spirit to the world that surrounds him are well above average. Therefore, not only did he answer my message, but he immediately sent me recordings of the 3 songs that I had mentioned, and put in an extra one that I might like! Three months later, he simply wrote to me “if you want, I can jump in the recording of "Nara". Just leave a track free and I will add a little guitar. What do you think?" What do I think? I almost fainted when I read his email! Menescal playing in one of the songs of my album? As time went by and our correspondence grew, Menescal became a constant source of inspiration to me. The initial project with songs about women which was the continuation of my first album "Mulheres", slowly faded and Menescal’s work naturally took its place. It was the birth of “Menescantando”.
The cover of this album does not have enough space for me to express all there is to say about this Gentleman (I cannot say "Mr Menescal” because he doesn't like it! He says that musicians have no age!), about the man who one day wrote to me "Amália, sooner or later, there is always time to do everything that we want to do, and (apparently) if we dream about our wishes, they become true. Just knowing that you want to record a CD with my songs, makes me happy and grateful to you".
"Menescantando" is my tribute to you, Roberto Menescal, to your music and to the wonderful person whom you are. Thanks Menesca!