Hard Bossa ?

[Joe Carter]

That new Rosa Passos CD is called Amorosa (get it?). It's a tribute to who else? Joao Gilberto, whose classic recording was entitled Amoroso. Rosa's disc has been released "internationally" already but won't be released in the US until the middle of August. I can't figure that one out.

Joe C.

[Jim R]

Today I was listening to her work on the Bud Shank & Friends double CD. Do you have that one?

Yeah, although I haven't spun it in a while. I had even forgotten that Rosinha was on that.

I think one of Rosa's strengths is her ability to interpret tunes with a new twist.  She did a tribute to Jobim recording where she's singing every other tune and Vania Bastos is singing the others.  Everytime I listen to this disc I program Vania's songs out and just listen to Rosa's.  It's like listening to Bill Evans playing Jazz standards.

That was my first Rosa Passos CD. Her version of "So Danço Samba" floored me (and it still does). I like the Vania Bastos tracks very much (guess we can't see eye to eye on everything, Joe).

(Jim, I assume if I ever wind up in jail, you would contribute heavily to my fund...

NATURALLY!!

No, you cannot have my 1953 Gibson ES-175.)

Officer, I do NOT know this guy.

Helio was another one of those "in between" guitarists, younger than the old guys and older than the new guys. He was the guitarist on the classic Elis & Tom recording. Among his many recordings is one entitled Emotiva, where he tackles Monk's Epistrophy and he also does Body and Soul.

How many stars do you give that, Joe?

That new Rosa Passos disc will be a must have... as long as it's not overpriced, of course.

[Joe Carter]

[Joe Carter]

OK, I still don't have the quote thing down yet as you can tell from my last few posts.

I'm listening to Emotiva right now. Yeah, it sounds pretty good, even though it's from 1980. He's playing mostly electric guitar. I would have prefered acoustic and an acoustic bassist. It's a little too electric for my taste. It sounds like Helio from the Elis and Tom recording. I would give it 4 stars, no wait, 3 stars, no wait, 3.5. Yeah, that's it. 3.5. Although...

On one of my trips to Rio I went to Helio's quartet concert. It was quite good. A few months later a recording came out from the concert but when I looked at the credits there was another bassist listed. Later on I ran into the original bassist and asked him what happened. It seems he was out on tour with Ivan Lins and couldn't do some minor touchups on the recording so instead Helio hired another bassist to overdub the entire concert. Very strange.

[Jim R]

I always enjoyed Helio's playing with Sarah Vaughan on "Copacabana", and on the other things by him that have caught my attention, he usually seems to be playing electric. In fact, I couldn't recall if I'd ever heard him play acoustic. So, I searched my database, and realized that I do have a few nice examples. He accompanies Simone beautifully on "minha namorada", from the CARLOS LYRA SONGBOOK on Lumiar; with Joyce on "Caminho de pedra" from the VINICIUS DE MORAES SONGBOOK, VOL. 1; with Fafá de Belém on "Serenata do adeus" from VINICIUS, VOL. 2; with Adriana on "Amor em paz" and with Renato Russo on "Gente humilde" from VOL. 3.

I've got to say it again- these Lumiar songbooks are amazing...

[Joe Carter]

The Master at work:

Bossa nova legend casts spell in U.S.

By CHARLES J. GANS

ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

Brazilian composer Joao Gilberto performs at Carnegie Hall, Friday, June 18, 2004 in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

NEW YORK -- Despite unexpected drama, bossa nova legend Joao Gilberto overcame all obstacles to cast his musical spell on a Carnegie Hall audience with a marathon two-hour concert at the JVC Jazz Festival.

Carnegie Hall - with its near-perfect acoustics - has always been a venue well suited to Gilberto's whispery vocals and his subtly syncopated guitar accompaniment, even though his debut there in November 1962 was a disaster.

At that concert, intended by the Brazilian government to put the bossa nova sound on the world stage, the artistry of Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim was overwhelmed by a chaotic mix of Brazilian performers and a dreadful sound system.

But two years later, Gilberto made a triumphant return to Carnegie for a concert with saxophonist Stan Getz and his former wife, singer Astrud Gilberto, that resulted in the live recording "Getz/Gilberto #2," the sequel to their studio album that remains one of the best-selling jazz albums ever.

Gilberto made his debut at what is now the JVC Jazz Festival in 1978 at a memorable Carnegie concert with Getz and guitarist Charlie Byrd, the first jazz musician to discover the bossa nova sound.

Friday night's concert marked the fourth time in the last six years that the reclusive Gilberto has performed at the festival, selling out Carnegie each time. With the passing of Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and other jazz greats in the past decade, Gilberto has become one of the festival's main attractions.

"He is one of the last of the real legends," said George Wein, the JVC festival's producer. "No one can imitate or copy Joao Gilberto. It's a magic that he creates with that music, and when things are right the atmosphere is like a cathedral."

The 73-year-old Gilberto, known in Brazil as "O Mito" (The Legend) fits in well among the jazz legends. He is a master in the use of silence like Miles, who once remarked the Brazilian "could read a newspaper and sound good." He also has followed in Ella's footsteps by delicately mixing in wordless scat singing into his vocals.

Gilberto is the antidote in an age when too many singers rely on belting out the lyrics, backup singers and dancers, special effects and even wardrobe malfunctions to stand out. The bespectacled Brazilian with his thinning hair is hardly a sex symbol, but he is one of the most romantic singers on the planet, relying on the pure beauty of his music because most of his audiences don't understand the Portuguese lyrics.

In recent years, Gilberto has stripped his performances down to the bare essentials, as reflected by his 2000 CD "Joao Voz e Violao" ("Joao Voice and Guitar"), the first studio album on which he plays without additional accompaniment.

On Friday night, Gilberto walked on stage to a standing ovation, took his seat at center stage, and hunched over his guitar, opening with the briskly paced "Acontece Que Eu Sou Baiano" by Dori Caymmi. That is also the opening track on his new live CD, "Joao Gilberto in Tokyo," recorded at a solo concert last September.

But by the third number, Gilberto, who is known for being a stickler about technical perfection in his shows, was clearly uncomfortable. "People help me," he pleaded, indicating he wasn't hearing any sound through the onstage monitors.

The problems persisted even though Gilberto received sustained applause after performing two Jobim classics, the yearning "Corcovado" and "Samba De Una Nota So" ("One Note Samba"). "It's difficult for me," Gilberto declared. One overly enthusiastic barefoot fan jumped on stage to help, only to be escorted off by security.

About half an hour into the program, an exasperated Gilberto walked off the stage. Backstage, Wein frantically directed efforts to fix the problem. Finally, it was determined that the microphones installed by Gilberto's crew before the concert were incompatible with the monitor system and they were replaced.

"I felt badly for Joao," Wein said in a post-concert interview. "I had never seen him in better shape for a concert, he was there on time and gave me a hug. Thank heavens it worked out, but there was never any question of him not going out. He wasn't upset ... and said to me, `George, it's a human problem.'"

After a 15-minute interruption, Gilberto resumed playing and quickly re-established a magical feeling, alternating languid slow tempo ballads with uptempo songs, mixing his unique interpretations of more obscure older tunes by Brazilian composers, such as Geraldo Pereira's syncopated "Bolinha de Papel," with the more familiar Jobim bossa nova songs.

Gilberto reached one climax when he performed Jobim's "Chega de Saudade" ("No More Blues"), the song he recorded in 1958 that launched the bossa nova movement. Wein likened the thrill of hearing Gilberto perform this tune to experiencing Louis Armstrong playing his groundbreaking "West End Blues." It was on "Chega" that Gilberto took Jobim's melody and harmonies to create the bossa nova beat with his guitar playing and its voice with his soft, vibratoless vocals.

As the concert neared its end, Gilberto dazzled the audience with wave after wave of classic Jobim songs: "Desafinado," "Meditacao," and the dream-like "Wave." Interspersed among them was his only English-language number, the Gershwins' "`S Wonderful," in which an obviously moved Gilberto gently sang to the audience: "`S Wonderful/Marvelous/You should care for me."

After exiting to a standing ovation, Gilberto performed four encores, including Jobim's exquisite ballad "Ligia" and culminating with "Veja Garota de Ipanema" ("The Girl From Ipanema"). It was an appropriate closing note for it was almost exactly 40 years ago that this youthful celebration of sex and romance first hit the U.S. pop charts.

[jazzman4133]

Want suggestions? Any these will satisfy your bossa craving.

BRASIL-ALCIONE: PERSONALIDADE

BRASIL-ANA CARAM: AMAZONIA

BRASIL-ANA CARAM: MARACANA

BRASIL-ANA CARAM: RIO AFTER DARK

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM & ELIS REGINA

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM & GAL COSTA: RIO REVISITED

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM & MIUCHA

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM E CONVIDADOS

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: A ARTE DE TOM JOBIM

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: A CERTAIN MR. JOBIM

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: ANTONIO BRASILEIRO

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: AO VIVO-TOM CANTA VINICIUS

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: BRASILIA

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: CAYMMI VISITA TOM

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: COMPOSER

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: ECHOES OF RIO

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: LOVE, STRINGS AND JOBIM

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: MATITA PERE

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: O TEMPO E O VENTO

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: ORFEU DA CONCEICAO

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: PASSARIM

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: PERSONALIDADE

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: RARE JOBIM

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: STONE FLOWER

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: THE PEPSI ALBUM

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: TIDE

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: TOM CANTA VINICIUS

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: TOM JOBIM & BILLY BLANCO

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: TOM-VINICIUS-TOQUINHO-MIUCHA

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: TOM-VINICIUS-TOQUINHO-MIUCHA: GARAVADO AO VIVO NO CANECAO

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: URUBU

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: WAVE

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM-TERRA BRASILIS

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM-THE COMPOSER PLAYS

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM-THE ULTIMATE JOBIM *

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM-THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF

BRASIL-ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIN: ESTRADA BRANCA

BRASIL-ASTRUD GILBERT: I HAVEN'T GOT ANYTHING BETTER TO DO

BRASIL-ASTRUD GILBERTO

BRASIL-ASTRUD GILBERTO (SEE MUKAI MEETS GILBERTO)

BRASIL-ASTRUD GILBERTO NOW

BRASIL-ASTRUD GILBERTO PLUS JAMES LAST ORCH.

BRASIL-ASTRUD GILBERTO WITH STANLEY TURRENTINE

BRASIL-ASTRUD GILBERTO: BEACH SAMBA

BRASIL-ASTRUD GILBERTO: LOOK TO THE RAINBOW

BRASIL-ASTRUD GILBERTO: THE SILVER COLLECTION

BRASIL-BADEN POWELL & FILHOS

BRASIL-BADEN POWELL & STEPHANE GRAPPELLI: LA GRANDE REUNION

BRASIL-BADEN POWELL PARIS 1977

BRASIL-BADEN POWELL: A VONTADE

BRASIL-BADEN POWELL: AO VIVO NO TEATRO SANTA ROSA

BRASIL-BADEN POWELL: ESTUDOS

BRASIL-BADEN POWELL: FELICIDADE

BRASIL-BADEN POWELL: MELANCOLIE

BRASIL-BADEN POWELL: OS AFROS SAMBAS

BRASIL-BADEN POWELL: SERESTA BRASILERIA

BRASIL-BADEN POWELL: TEMPO FELIZ

BRASIL-BADEN POWELL: TRISTEZA ON GUITAR

BRASIL-BADEN POWELL-LE MONDE MUSICAL DE BADEN POWELL

BRASIL-BEBEL GILBERTO: TANTO TEMPO

BRASIL-BEBETO

BRASIL-BILLY BLANCO: A BOSSA DE BB

BRASIL-BILLY BLANCO: DOUTORES EM SAMBA

BRASIL-BILLY BLANCO: INFORMAL

BRASIL-BILLY BLANCO: NA VOZ DO PROPRIO

BRASIL-BOLA SETE: BOSSA NOVA/TOUR DE FORCE

BRASIL-BOSSA 3: OS REIS DO RITMO

BRASIL-BOSSA NOVA

BRASIL-BOSSA NOVA...OLD & NEW

BRASIL-BOSSA RIO

BRASIL-BOSSA TRES E JO BASILE

BRASIL-BOSSA TRES: EM FORMA

BRASIL-BOSSA: ESTREM/HOLMQUIST

BRASIL-BRASIL ALL STARS: RIO STRUT

BRASIL-BREAK N' BOSSA

BRASIL-BRENO SAUER QUARTETO: 4 NA BOSSA

BRASIL-CAETANO VELOSO: TOTALMENTE DEMAIS

BRASIL-CAFÉ APRES-MIDI MARINE

BRASIL-CARLOS LEE: BOSSA MAXIMUM

BRASIL-CARLOS LYRA: BOSSA NOVA

BRASIL-CESAR CAMARGO MARIANO & HELIO DELMIRO: SAMAMBAIA

BRASIL-CHOCO BUARQUE: SINAL FECHADO/MEUS CAROS AMIGOS

BRASIL-CHRISTIAN SIEVERT: SAMBA COLLECTION

BRASIL-CLARA NUNES: COM VIDA

BRASIL-CLAUDE CIARI AND THE BATUCADA'S SEVEN

BRASIL-CONJUNTO 3D: MUITO NA ONDA

BRASIL-CONJUNTO SOM 4

BRASIL-DANIEL TAUBKIN: BRAZSIL

BRASIL-DICK FARNEY, PIANO E ORQUESTRA GAYA

BRASIL-DICK FRANEY & CLAUDETTE SOARES - VOL 1 & VOL. 2

BRASIL-DOMINGUINHOS

BRASIL-DORIS MONTEIRO

BRASIL-EDSON CORDEIRO: CREOLE LOVE SONG

BRASIL-EDU & BETHANIA

BRASIL-EDU LOBO POR EDU LOBO

BRASIL-ELIS REGINA & TOOTS THIELEMANS

BRASIL-ELIS REGINA IN LONDON

BRASIL-ELIS REGINA: A ARTE DE ELLIS REGINA

BRASIL-ELIS REGINA: MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL

BRASIL-ELIS REGINA: PERSONALIDADE

BRASIL-ELIS REGINA: VENTO DE MAIO/MAY WIND

BRASIL-ELIS REGINE & JAIR RODRIGUES VOL. 1

BRASIL-ELIS REGINE & JAIR RODRIGUES VOL. 2

BRASIL-ELIS REGINE E ZIMBO TRIO-O FINO DO FINO

BRASIL-ELIS REGINE: ELIS, COMO & PORQUE

BRASIL-ELIZETH CARDOSO: CANCAO DO AMOR DEMAIS

BRASIL-EUMIR DEODATO: IDEIAS

BRASIL-EUMIR DEODATO: PERCEPCAO

BRASIL-FAFA DE BELEMCORACAO BRASILEIRO

BRASIL-GAL COSTA CANTA TOM JOBIM

BRASIL-GAL COSTA E CAETANO VELOSA

BRASIL-GAL COSTA: FANTASIA *

BRASIL-GAL COSTA: MINHA VOZ/BABY*

BRASIL-GAL COSTA: PERSONALIDADE

BRASIL-GAROTA DE IPANEMA SOUNDTRACK

BRASIL-GERALDO VESPAR: SAMBA, NOVA GERACAO

BRASIL-GLUCKLICH III

BRASIL-IRIO DE PAULA: SARAVA JOBIM

BRASIL-JOAO DONATO

BRASIL-JOAO DONATO: SAMBOU...SAMBOU

BRASIL-JOAO GILBERTO EN MEXICO

BRASIL-JOAO GILBERTO INTERPRETA TOM JOBIM

BRASIL-JOAO GILBERTO LIVE IN MONTREUX

BRASIL-JOAO GILBERTO: AGUAS DE MARCO

BRASIL-JOAO GILBERTO: AMOROSA/BRASIL

BRASIL-JOAO GILBERTO: AO VIVO

BRASIL-JOAO GILBERTO: BOSSA NOVA JUBILEU VOL. 2

BRASIL-JOAO GILBERTO: ELA E' CARIOCA

BRASIL-JOAO GILBERTO: THE LEGENDARY

BRASIL-JOAO GILBERTO-BOSSA NOVA JUBILEU

BRASIL-JOAO GILBERTO-JOAO VOZ E VIOLA

BRASIL-JONGO TRIO

BRASIL-JOSEE KONING: TRIBUTE TO ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM

BRASIL-JOYCE CHANTE JOBIM & DE MORAES

BRASIL-JOYCE: MUSIC INSIDE

BRASIL-JOYCE: SONGS OF ELIS

BRASIL-LAURINDO ALMEIDA: DANCE THE BOSSA NOVA

BRASIL-LEILA PINHEIRO: MAIS COISAS DO BRASIL

BRASIL-LENY ANDRADE: BOSSA NOVA

BRASIL-LENY ANDRADE: LUZ NEON

BRASIL-LENY ANDRADE: MAIDEN VOYAGE

BRASIL-LISA ONO: AMIGOS

BRASIL-LISA ONO: BOAS FESTAS

BRASIL-LISA ONO: DREAM

BRASIL-LISA ONO: ESPERANCA

BRASIL-LISA ONO: ESSENCIA

BRASIL-LISA ONO: MENINA

BRASIL-LISA ONO: MINHA SAUDADE

BRASIL-LISA ONO: NAMORADO

BRASIL-LISA ONO: RIO BOSSA

BRASIL-LISA ONO: SERENATA CARIOCA

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA E CATERINA VALENTE

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA PLAYS AND SINGS BOSSA NOVA

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA: AMOR

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA: BONFAFA

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA: BRAZILIANA

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA: JACARANDA

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA: NON STOP TO BRAZIL

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA: O VIOLA DE LUIZ BONFA

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA: RECADO NOVO DE LB

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA: THE BONFA MAGIC

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA: THE BRAZILIAN SCENE

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA: THE NEW FACE OF BONFA

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA: TOCA MELODIAS DAS AMERICAS

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA-IMPERIAL P/1972

BRASIL-LUIZ BONFA'S BRAZILIAN GUITAR

BRASIL-LUIZ HENRIQUE: A BOSSA MODERNA DE LUIZ HENRIQUE

BRASIL-LUIZ HENRIQUE: BARRA LIMPA/BOBBY-BILLY-BRASIL

BRASIL-LUIZ HENRIQUE: POPCORN

BRASIL-MANDRAKE SOM: SOMBOSSA

BRASIL-MANFREDO FEST: BRAZILIANA

BRASIL-MANFREDO FEST: JUNGLE CAT

BRASIL-MANFREDO FEST: OFERENDA

BRASIL-MARCO VALLE: NOVA BOSSA NOVA

BRASIL-MARCOS VALLE: SAMBA '68

BRASIL-MARIA d'APPARECIDA SINGS BADEN POWELL

BRASIL-MARISA MONTE-1989 *

BRASIL-MEIRELES E OS COPA 7: TROPICAL

BRASIL-MEIRELLES: O SOM/MEIRELLES E OS COPA 5

BRASIL-MILTON BANANA

BRASIL-MISSADOS QUILOMBOS

BRASIL-MIUCHA & TOM JOBIM

BRASIL-NARO LEAO

BRASIL-ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK FROM BLACK ORPHEUS

BRASIL-ORLANDIVO

BRASIL-ORLANN DIVO

BRASIL-ORLANN DIVO: A CHAVE DO SUCESSO

BRASIL-OS COBRAS: O LP

BRASIL-OS GATOS *

BRASIL-OS GATOS: AQUELE SOM DOS GATOS

BRASIL-OS IPANEMAS

BRASIL-PAULINHO NOGUEIRA: CONCIERTO DE ARANJUEZ

BRASIL-PAULO ALENCAR: JAZZA NOVA

BRASIL-PAULO MOURA & RAPHAEL RABELLO: DOIS IRMAOS

BRASIL-PERY RIBEIRO & LENY ANDRADE: GEMINI V

BRASIL-PRIMO 7-PINTA O SETE

BRASIL-PRIMO TRIO: SAMBOSSA

BRASIL-QUARTETO EM CY: BRASIL EM CY

BRASIL-QUARTETO EM CY: DE MARRE DE CY

BRASIL-QUARTETO EM CY: SOM DEFINITIVO

BRASIL-QUARTETO EM CY: VINICIUS EM CY

BRASIL-QUARTETO EMCY & MP B-4: BATE-BOCA

BRASIL-QUARTETO EMCY & MP B-4: MILLENIUM

BRASIL-QUARTETO EMCY (FONTANA 6641554)

BRASIL-QUARTETO JOBIM/MORELENBAUM

BRASIL-REZA (The Song-10 versions)

BRASIL-ROBERTO MENESCAL: BOSSA NOVA DE

BRASIL-ROSA PASOS: CURARE

BRASIL-ROSINHA DE VALENCA-FLANVIO FARIA W. TOOTS THIELEMANS

BRASIL-RUBENS BASSINI-RITMO FANTASTICO

BRASIL-SALVADOR TRIO-TRISTEZA

BRASIL-SAMBALANCA TRIO

BRASIL-SAMBALANCO TRIO-IMPROVISO NEGRO

BRASIL-SEBASTIAO TAPAJOS & FRIENDS

BRASIL-SERGIO MENDES: BRASILEIRO

BRASIL-SERGIO MENDES: OCEANO

BRASIL-SERGIO MENDES: SWINGER FROM RIO/BEAT OF BRAZIL

BRASIL-SERGIO RICARDO: UN SENHOR TALENTO

BRASIL-SERIO MENDES & BRASIL '66: GREATEST HITS

BRASIL-SIMONE: VICIO

BRASIL-SIVUCA

BRASIL-SIVUCA & ROSINHA DE VALENCA

BRASIL-SIVUCA AND PUTTE WICKMAN'S ORCH.

BRASIL-SIVUCA LIVE AT THE VILLAGE GATE

BRASIL-SIVUCA ONCA CAETANA

BRASIL-SIVUCA: BOSSA NOVA

BRASIL-SIVUCA: CABELO DE MILHO

BRASIL-SIVUCA: CRAZY GROOVE

BRASIL-SIVUCA: FORRO E FREVO/SANFONA RILDO HORA REALEJO

BRASIL-SIVUCA: NORTE FORTE

BRASIL-SIVUCA: O MELHOR DO FORRO

BRASIL-SIVUCA: RENDEZ-VOUS A RIO

BRASIL-SIVUCA: SOM BRASIL

BRASIL-SIVUCA: TOOS AND SIVUCA CHIKO'S BAR

BRASIL-SIVUCA: VOU VIDA AFORA

BRASIL-SYLVIA TELLES SINGS THE WONDERFUL SONGS OF A.C. JOBIM

BRASIL-SYLVIA TELLES: AMOR DE GENTA MOCA

BRASIL-SYLVIA TELLES: AMOR EM- HI-FI

BRASIL-SYLVIA TELLES: BOSSA SESSION

BRASIL-SYLVIA TELLES: U.S.A.

BRASIL-TAMBA 4: WE AND THE SEA

BRASIL-TANIA MARIA: BELA VISTA

BRASIL-TANIA MARIA: COME WITH ME

BRASIL-TANIA MARIA: MADE IN NEW YORK

BRASIL-TANIA MARIA: OUTRAGEOUS

BRASIL-TANIA MARIA: PIQUANT

BRASIL-TANIA MARIA: VIV BRAZIL

BRASIL-TENORIO JR.: EMBALO

BRASIL-THE BRASILEIROS: BOSSA NOVAS

BRASIL-THE RETURN OF THE IPANEMAS

BRASIL-VINICIUS DE MORAES IN BUENOS AIRES 1970

BRASIL-VINICIUS DE MORAES: LA VOGLIA

BRASIL-VINICIUS DE MORAES-TOQUINHO-MARIA CREUZA

BRASIL-VIVA BRASIL

BRASIL-WALTER SANTOS: AZUL CONTENTE

BRASIL-WALTER WANDERLEY: SAMBA SWINGS

BRASIL-WANDA DE SAH: BRASIL '65

BRASIL-WANDA DE SAH: SOFTLY

BRASIL-ZIMBO TRIO & MAURICE EINHORN: MUSICA VIVA

BRASIL-ZIMBO TRIO, THE: AQUARELA DO BRASIL

BRASIL-ZIMBO TRIO/MAURICIO EINHORN

BRASIL-ZUMBA CINCO

Edited June 24, 2004 by jazzman4133

[jazzman4133]

More bossa.

[Joe Carter]

OK, let's see if I can jumpstart this thread with a new recommendation:

Paulo Moura & Yamandu Costa -- El Negro Del Blanco, on the superb-sounding Biscoito Fino label from Brasil. Paulo is the elder statesman clarinet player and Yamandu is the 20 something wunderkid who posses unbeleiveable chops on the 7 string violao (guitar). Yamandu won the Prêmio Visa Edição Instrumental Award in 1991, which is like Joshua Redman winning the Thelonius Monk Competetion. Interestingly enough, Yamandu is not from Rio or Sao Paulo but he's a "gaucho" from Passo Fundo. He's sort of like the young gunslinger challenging a lot of listeners with his "no holds barred" approach to guitar playing. The duo's version of Antonio Lauro's "Venezuelana" is fantastic, as are all the tunes on the disc. Another favorite is a Baden Powell-Vinicius de Moraes medley of four of their tunes.

Below is a bio blurb from Yamandu's site, where you can also find sound samples and some excellent videos. Enjoy!

Joe C.

http://www.yamandu.com.br/

Born in Passo Fundo, he began his studies for playing the guitar when he was 7 years old with his father Algacir Costa, leader of "Os Fronteiriços" band and perfected himself with Lúcio Yanel, Argentine virtuoso established in Brazil. Until he was 15, Yamandú's only music school was the folklore music from the south of Brazil, from Argentina and Uruguay. After listening to Radamés Gnatalli, he started searching for other Brazilian artists, such as Baden Powell, Tom Jobim and Raphael Rabello, among others. When he was 17 years old, he played in São Paulo for the first time in the Banco do Brasil's Circuito Cultural, produced by Estúdio Tom Brasil, and from there onwards he was recognized as a revelation musician of Brazil's guitar.

One of the greatest geniuses of Brazilian music of all times, the young Yamandú confirms and deserves all praises when he plays his guitar. Alone on the stage, he is capable of elating the most sophisticated crowds and touching the most refined ears.

His dramatic interpretation renews each song he plays and reveals the deepest intimacy with his instrument. All recognition he receives in his 23 years of age is just the reflection of what he gives to his audience, recreating the magic of music when playing, passing through his body and being transformed almost miraculously.

Yamandú plays choro, bossa nova and more, but he is also a gaúcho filled with milongas, tangos, zambas and chamamés. A guitar player and composer that does not fit a single music style, he is a combination of all and creates his own style with peculiar personality. Yamandú deserves the meaning of his beautiful name, "the precursor of waters".

He shared the stage with Renato Borghetti, Armandinho, Dominguinhos, Oswaldinho do Acordeon, Armandinho, Almir Sater, Marcelo Bratke, Paulo Moura, Dino 7 cordas and Altamiro Carrilho, Orquestra de Câmara do Teather São Pedro ( RS), Orquestra de Câmara da ULBRA (RS), Orquestra Sinfônica de Ribeirão Preto, Orquestra Jazz Sinfônica(SP) . He participated separate in shows, with Baden Powell, Elba Ramalho and Toquinho.

Yamandú excels himself each year, besides playing a 7-string guitar he is a composer and arranger.

In June, he won the 2001 Visa Award Edição Instrumental, first chosen by the official and popular jury.

In October 2001, he performed a singular presentation at the Free Jazz Festival, in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, opening the night of Jazz traditional artists.

[jazzbo]

I've been enjoying this one today:

A hard bossa session I'd say!

[Joe Carter]

Jazzbo:

You stumped me on this one. Who's playing what on the CD?

Joe C.

[jazzbo]

Hope this may mean more to YOU than it does to me:

Trumpet: Lula

Sax Tenor: Schittino

Trombone: Ditinho

Guitar: Cacau

Contra-Bass: Gerson, except one track by Capacete (?)

Drums: Jurandir

Percussion: Turco, Nacimento, Carlinhos, Lourinho

Originally on Chantecler 1965

Dusty Groove had (has?) it for 6 bucks.

[Joe Carter]

Hmmm...no last names, very typical for a small label in Brasil in the mid 60s. I recognized a couple of Joao Donato tunes and Blues Walk, of course. It sounds like it might sound like a brasilian version of the Jazz Messengers. I might have to grab this one before Jim R. does. Thanks for the info.

Joe C.

[jazzbo]

It's pretty nice---not a Brazilian Jazz Messengers if you ask me, less intense and hard. And its' a bit more samba than bossa nova but good solid stuff.

[Man with the Golden Arm]

I've just been knocked out by a cut called "Imprevisto" (?) by Bossa Tres! Just phenomenal. The cut resides, as I gain through AMG, on the '...em Forma!' album.

Jim R, I see that you mentioned them in the first post. Any elaboration or absolute recommendations here? Please.

Edited July 5, 2004 by Man with the Golden Arm

[Pete C]

Want suggestions? Any these will satisfy your bossa craving.

Do you really like Quarteto Em Cy? I find them very kitschy.

[Man with the Golden Arm]

This Hard Bossa and the Nova thread are just essentials of the BB. Thanks, Jim et al!!(and due for their own column heading as for all things 'wordly')

So up for some more fine discussion after that nice list posted above.

With Marcus' BFT circulating just now and the fact that I have yet to remove my new (one ond only so far) Bossa Tres "Em Forma!" from my auto for the past week I'm curiousor for more.

So I'll just to toss out another list for discussing amongst the most knowledgables:

J.T. Meirelles and Os Copa 5 from the BFT!!

Mario Castro Neves

Os Cobras

and more on Bossa Tres - that Luiz Carlos Vinhas... what a badasss!

[DrJ]

I've been on a Jobim and Baden Powell kick lately; reviewing this thread makes me realize I have a WHOLE lot of learning to do about this music!

Meantime, I've been absolutely loving the Baden Powell compliation that Sunnyside/Universal put out a couple years ago, O UNIVERSO MUSICAL DE BADEN POWELL. Prior to this I'd heard only some isolated tracks as well as the album he did with Grappelli on Festival, LE GRANDE REUNION which is a doozy. I've been bitten big time. What an amazing guitarist, with a really unique vision and all-encompassing, eclectic style. I really like the edge to Powell's stuff - is this what people mean when they speak of "Hard Bossa?"

Given my limited scope of exposure to this great Brazilian music, where would I go next to hear less widely-known stuff in the Powell ilk?

Edited August 4, 2004 by DrJ

[marcoliv]

i got this yesterday and it's just wonderful!!

WILSON SIMONAL NA ODEON (1961-1971) produced by Wilson Simoninha & Max de Castro

9 cds including 12 LP´s + singles + EP's + rarities. 24Bit remastered with a beautiful 64page booklet. each single cd is also available separately.

he is one of the most underrated artists in Brazil but he was so gifted musically. he died in april 2000, 62 years-old, not having been recognized as one of the most inventive singers/musicians on the MPB (Brazilian Popular Music).

his 2nd album on 1964 "A nova dimensão do samba" is so important as Ben's "Samba Esquema Novo". Nanã (a classic hit from Moacir Santos) is fantastic and an instrumental version is also available for the first time. my favorite song of the whole set is Sá Marina written by Antonio Adolfo.

by the 1970's when Brazil was submitted to the goverment of militaries, he was unfairly accused to help the authorities identifying artists that were against this non-democratic system. this accusation destroyed his career and himself.

this is one of the best reissues of the year here in Brazil and the title of his first album says it all: Wilson Simonal tem algo mais!

Marcus

[marcoliv]

DrJ, how about a boxset with 13 albums of Powell?

Edited August 4, 2004 by marcoliv

[Pete C]

At least the Simonal bloodline is continuing to make some great music. Both Max de Castro & Wilson SImoninha are among my favorite younger Brazilian artists.

[Jim R]

With Marcus' BFT circulating just now and the fact that I have yet to remove my new (one ond only so far) Bossa Tres "Em Forma!" from my auto for the past week I'm curiousor for more.

Basically, I think you would be well-advised to go ahead and "get your feet wet" with regard to some of the piano trios I mentioned in my opening posts here. The Zimbo Trio, Tamba Trio, Dom Salvador, Manfredo Fest, Rio 65 Trio, Jongo Trio... whatever you can track down (I'd recommend going through ALL of the Brazil CD listings at Dusty Groove, for starters. Read their reviews to get a general idea of what to expect). I'm there so often that I rarely look at their full listings anymore (I go to the "new arrivals" page frequently), so I couldn't even tell you which titles are still available through them. There are other sources online, of course, but I've always been happy with Dusty G.

The J.T. Meirelles "O Som" album is definitely worth tracking down. Originally on Philips, it's now on CD from Dubas. They also released the other Meirelles disc I mentioned above, "O Novo Som".

Os Cobras classic "O LP" is also worthy of a hunt. The players were: Raul De Souza (trombone),Paulo Moura (reeds),Hamilton Cruz (trumpet),Tenorio Jr. (piano),Jose Carlos (Zezinho) (bass),Milton Banana (drums). Some of the biggest names in Brazilian jazz.

I know more about Oscar Castro Neves than I do Mario. I like a lot of Oscar's work, BTW- even when he's just playing rhythm and has that huge smile on his face.

[Jim R]

I really like the edge to Powell's stuff - is this what people mean when they speak of "Hard Bossa?"

Given my limited scope of exposure to this great Brazilian music, where would I go next to hear less widely-known stuff in the Powell ilk?

Tony, I'm actually not sure what (if anything) "Hard Bossa" means. Joyce used it as an album title, and I thought it was a fun term to use in the context of this thread. I'm not sure how many people actually use this term... ??

Re the Powell topic, I could probably stick my neck way out and try to answer your question, but I think I won't (shouldn't). I'm not really qualified in that area... I'm still learning gradually about that style of guitar playing. The man to talk to is definitely Joe Carter. Unfortunately, you may have to be patient... Joe has been very busy lately with his family, and hasn't been posting or e-mailing (in other words, he has a life ). Hopefully he'll return to this thread soon. If not, remind me again some time soon, and I'll alert Joe to this thread again.

BTW, I would recommend any of Joe's CD's on his Empathy label. Lovely stuff.

Edited August 6, 2004 by Jim R

[Jim R]

Wow, Marcus- that Wilson Simonal set must be great. I only have the EMI / Odeon "Serie Bis" compilation of his 60's work, and I really enjoy it. I wonder why more of his individual albums haven't been released on CD. I may have missed some before I found out about Dusty Groove, but I haven't seen many over the past 5 years or so.

[marcoliv]

Jim, according to the liner notes half of the material included on the box never appeared on CD before. EMI Brazil authorized Max & Wilson to do the remastering process from the master tapes. they also discovered that all the albums recorded up to 1967 are in MONO except for "Show em Simonal".

i have been listening and discovering the music of Simonal the last few days and i should say that i´m very excited. for all of you brazilian music lovers i recommend that set

Dusty Groove is already offering this one and here is their review: (their english is much better than mine )

"An incredible package of work from one of Brazil's most unique artists -- featuring all the best bits recorded during his glory days at EMI/Odeon! During the 60s, Wilson Simonal had a very soulful sound that was a real precursor to the samba soul scene of the 70s -- a bit in the mode of Jorge Ben, but often recorded with lively, larger arrangements -- in a cool mix of the groovy, the soulful, and the samba -- with a sound that was always pretty darn fresh! The package brings together 12 classic albums from Wilson's years at Odeon -- plus a full CD of rare material, and another collection of singles-only tracks -- making for a whopping package that includes more work than we could have ever hoped for! The whole thing's packaged in a cool slipcover with a large book that features great photos, images, and text in Portuguese -- and albums included in the set are Algo Mais, A Nova Dimensao Do Samba, Wilson Simonal (1965), S'Imbora, Vou Deixar Cair, Tempos De Pilantragem, Show Em Simonal, Simonal, Joia Joia, and all 4 volumes of the landmark Alegria Alegria series!"

i got mine for 59USD

Marcus

Edited August 9, 2004 by marcoliv