This one was for June 21st, but was busy with travels, so I put a little extra love into this volume since I was slightly delayed. For my friends of this page. You know who you are!
Quick question? Does anyone find studying this form of musics from South America slightly mythic? I sometimes feel as I study this music much the same way as if were studying Greek or Roman mythology. Anyone have similar findings?
St. Julian Samba Showdown 29 by J Thyme (2011
01. Caminho Livre - Ana Maria E Mauricio (1972)
02. Tristeza De Uma Embolada - João Bosco (1973)
03. Rosa Da Gente - Claudette Soares (1969)
04. Beco Sem Saída - Silvio Cesar (1971)
05. O Meu Amor Tem Preço - Dona Ivone Lara (1979)
06. Coração Leviano - Paulinho da Viola (1978)
07. Você Não Tá Com Nada - Marlene (1972)
08. Partido Do Lê Lê Lê - Elza Soares (1974)
09. Ave Maria Do Salgueiro - Os Originais Do Samba (1977)
10. Bandeira 2 - Marilia Pera (1972)
11. O Que E Que Houve - O Som Livre (1971)
12. Bahia Comigo - Paulo Diniz (1973)
13. Eu Sou Mais Eu - Ana Mazzotti (1974)
14. Roça Errada - Antonio Carlos e Jocafi (1980)
15. Um Tem P'ro Simon - Johnny Alf (1974)
16. Doce Veneno - Os Magnatas Do Samba (1971)
17. A Noite É Uma Criança - Os 3 Morais (1975)
18. Palavras Perdidas - Maysa (1972)
19. Se é questão de adeus, até logo - Dóris Monteiro (1973)
20. Tudo Está No Seu Lugar - Benito Di Paula (1976)
21. Maria da Pá-Virada - Jackson do Pandeiro (1970)
22. Na Baixa Do Sapateiro - Wando (1975)
23. Pisa No Tabuado - Abaetê (1977)
24. Ta Hi Alo Alo - Brasilian Singers (1974)
25. Hoje Não - Jorginho Pessanha (1971)
A few words about this volume. Caminho Livre by Ana Maria E Mauricio is noteworthy for the super-lovely flute work. Listen to the clarity of recording on the flute. Nice trilling at the end of the song with some additional scatting by the flute player. Sweet!
Track two by João Bosco is amazingly handled by arranger Rogério Duprat. This track is so major. A moment when classical ideas are merging with popular modern folk forms creating a new type of "Modernist Pop". The combination of RCA Victor on the science end of things & Rogério Duprat's trippy classical framing bring a whole new mythic quality to the language that would become MPB. Listen to the special care given to the Surdo. RCA Victor deserves gold stars for their ideas on FIDELITY. The bass register is so masterful. Grounded, full & expertly played & recorded. Fidelity is depth, width & breadth of a sound. The handling of the Surdo here is faithful to the concept of fidelity!!! The song starts like a cloudy day with promises of storm & when the choral singers emerge it is as if the sun shines again. "Baroque Samba" is what I'm left with after studying this song.
Track 3 Rosa Da Gente by Claudette Soares from 1969 is another example of perfectly selling a song. There's another version of this song on the "Coisas Do Mundo" LP by Nara Leão, also from 1969. Of the two, Claudette's version wins me over by the crispness of the arrangement. This is a lovely Marching song. When I think of the "Marches" transformed from their humble roots as military music & morphing into something as light hearted as this type of "March" I just marvel at the genius of it. I adore her voice & Claudette's reading is simply perfect & inspired. Love the counter-point flutes here as well.
Short break...be back with more insights shortly...
