Desafinado
Some of you may remember that in March this year I went to London for a couple of months. It was my first taste of a real winter in 3 years and I felt almost instant saudade for the warmth and sunshine of Rio. Perhaps as a result, I found myself listening to Brazilian music as I stood at chilly bus stops, or shivered my way between the train station and my office.
During my time in Brazil I’ve made a few musical discoveries that have come as revelations. The first was when I discovered ‘A Tábua de Esmeralda’ by Jorge Ben. It’s a brilliant album – unusual, very accessible and made me realise that not all Brazilian music has to sound like samba or bossa nova. I wrote about it here.
But back in London I had a new album on constant rotation.
Chega da Saudade by João Gilberto.
João Gilberto’s Chega da Saudade is an absolute classic, widely credited as being the first ever Bossa Nova album. It includes the track Desafinado, Tom Jobim’s classic which surely everyone has heard. While we probably all know the tune, I think João’s rendition is pretty special and really worth another listen:
This exemplifies the singing style that João pioneered – while others were belting out songs at top volume, João delivered his songs with a gentle, effortless style that perfectly suited bossa nova.
João Gilberto and a guitar – a great combination.
In fact João Gilberto, along with Tom Jobim and Jonny Alf, is often credited as being the founder of bossa nova – as such he is something of a living legend. He still performs (occasionally) to sell-out audiences who pay astronomical prices.
If you are interested in Brazilian music then you definitely need to add Chega de Saudade to your collection. It’s not going to set any parties alight, but if you’re feeling a little homesick for Brazil, then it may help ward off the winter blues.
Tom,
obrigada por me lembrar do doce calor e transe quase hipnótico que a bossa nova me desperta. Isso em pleno domingão de sol em Sampa!
Abs
Oi, Rose! Esta musica só podia ser inventado em um país ensolarado como o Brasil, né? :)
Loved this post. I’ve become somewhat addicted to Brazilian music since I began studying Brazilian Portuguese. It’s hard to choose a favorite track from “Chega de Saudade,” though I really like the title track, and “Desafinado” is a classic (I like hearing João pronounce “Rolleiflex”).
I also checked out your earlier post about Jorge Ben (Jor). After recovering from seeing the Rod Stewart centerfold, I enjoyed reading the post. I’d only heard Jorge Ben on a couple of compilation CDs of Brazilian music, but I’m sampling “A Tábua de Esmeralda” and I can see why you like it so much. A very different sound from the smooth, sophisticated style of João Gilberto, but really good. If someone had played this for me even 6 months ago, I would probably have listened politely and mentally written it off as “world” music or something equally ignorant on my part, but as you say, it’s very accessible. Thanks for the tips, and keep the music posts coming!
Hey Phil – glad you liked it :)
I know what you mean about “world” music. That label makes me think of something worthy but rather boring and I don’t think that applies to Brazilian music! There will be another recommendation soon.
p.s. sorry about the Rod Stewart image!! ;)
I am currently reading Bossa Nova, written by Ruy Castro. It is essentially a book about Joao Gilberto, and a great source of information about the people and the times in the music business in Rio during the 50’s and early 60’s. I highly recommend the book.
Ooh, great – thanks for that. I love delving into the details of these stories.
Give this Brazilian band a chance and, as George Micheal would say, listen without prejudice (but NOT in a public restroom while being impertinent towards others, GM style).
http://grittypoet.blogspot.com.br/2012/08/grittsounds-cidadao-instigado.html
Oh, I second Phil’s words: the Rod Steward pic from a previous post was hideous, plus it traumatized me as well. Prince’s “Controversy” album cover did the same; but The Purple One is a musical genius and RS is not.
Hmmm challenging stuff. I had not encountered Cidadão Instigado before. I’m not sure I will again… ;)
Certainly not everyone’s cup of tea. I have to admit I like it – I even own one of their CDs – but my wife prefers if I don’t listen to it at home. :)
I’m not sure why, but some of their songs remind me of ’70s space rock, maybe David Bowie, but sung in a whiny nasal voice.
“Hmmm challenging stuff”
Lol. Ever the diplomat.
Below an interesting special featuring contemporary Brazilian music, via NPR.
Alot less challenging :-)
http://www.npr.org/blogs/altlatino/2011/09/22/140646616/this-week-on-alt-latino-all-about-brazil
@ Andrew Francis,
If you like CI then you will probalby love this old Bahaus tune. I certainly do.
Bauhaus that is: we should not misspell that which is sacrosanct :-)
I just love Bossa Nova. It’s such a classic, cool and sophisticated sound. It’s obvious I’m a big fan, look at the name of my blog!
I just hope that the dreaded sertanjea doesn’t penetrate Rio like it has in the interior of the country……
Rio is different though, and I think even through all the changes that are going to occur there in the next few years, it’ll still be Rio- Bossa Nova and all!
I’m glad to hear newer artists keeping the tradition strong, it’s important not to be gobbled up into this all too global society we live in.
Oh, and by the way. I do the same exact thing here in the winter. While shlupping through the sleet, snow, puddles, 0 degree days, I listen to Bossa Nova. And it genuinely keeps me sane and happy. Otherwise, I would have offed myself a few years ago :)
Heh heh, don’t do it Alex! For me bossa nova conjures up this strange quality that many Brazilian artists seem to display. Kind of happy and sad at the same time – something like saudade I guess. Somehow fitting for a country that has had so much to be happy and sad about! :)
“not all Brazilian music has to sound like samba or bossa nova”
Unfortunately, that’s not necessarily a good thing. Not to sound judgmental, but while I’m not a big fan of samba or bossa nova but I’ll take them any day over Sertanejo, Axe or Funk Carioca. My problem with bossa nova is that it’s sung and played so softly, I find it sleep inducing. Now imagine an older gentleman like Joao Gilberto dozing off halfway through Desafinado and falling off that bar stool. He could hurt himself… :)
Personally, I find songs that mix elements of jazz with bossa nova a bit more interesting, like the classic collaboration between Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto but also a lot of tracks from Maria Rita.
Heh heh! I know what you’re saying Andrew – there aren’t many dancefloor fillers on that album are there? ;)
Jeez, don’t get me started on Funk – I kind of wanted to like it at first. Then listened to it (both voluntarily and also coming from the nearby favela at 4am onwards…). Let’s just say that I’m not a fan.
I haven’t heard Maria Rita – I will check her out, thanks!
Funk Carioca has a very misleading name since it has nothing to do with “real” funk. Try Gerson King Combo, Sandra de Sa, Banda Black Rio and Ed Motta if you are interested in that stuff (possibly more soul than funk, though). I also really like Funk Como Le Gusta for a more modern take on it.
Strangely enough, Funk Carioca is actually a very successful modern “grass roots” musical movement, if you can call it that. It developed without any support or interest from the record labels and because of that, the “artists” aren’t concerned with record sales or piracy. They make most of their money from live performances at bailes and even give away free CDs (burned at home) for promotion.
Yes, I often remark (while trying to sleep) that the Funk that comes out of Santo Amaro is some of the least funky music I’ve ever heard. And I’m not that hard to please – I like quite a lot of pretty challenging styles of music! Still, I accept that it could be that I just don’t ‘get it’…
Thanks for all the extra recommendations – pretty soon I’ll be a Brazilian music aficionado! :)