Friday, February 05, 2010

Digging in Brazil, Part 3: MPB Unplugged


This is one of the more interesting records I picked up on this last trip. I've never seen it before and never heard of it either. It's the kind of record that only someone really geeky like me could enjoy as it includes some rare performances by some of my favorite artists arguably from one of the greatest years for Musica Popular Brasileiro (MPB) . . . 1972. This is one of those annual recap records documenting the biggest news stories in short segments, including a small bit on Caetano and Gil returning from exile, but musically that's the only good part on disc 1. Thankfully disc 2 is chock full of interviews with famous musicians with something like 20 different artists ranging from bossa nova legends Tom Jobim, Johnny Alf and Carlo Lyra to MPB stars Milton Nascimento, Gal Costa and Edu Lobo.


Not only are there interviews, but in many cases the interviewer asks the artist to perform something live in the studio, sometimes accompanied by guitar or maybe just a matchbox for percussion. I've picked my favorites from these interviews for my nerdiest readers.



Erasmo Carlos - Quem Mandou Levar (Samba da Preguiça)
This one is the real treasure in my opinion. It doesn't get much better than Erasmo accompanying himself on guitar in the prime of his career. I don't think he ever recorded this song elsewhere. Anyone know if anyone else ever recorded this songs and if so, what's the actual title?

Paulinho da Costa - Gaurdei Minha Viola
Here we have a Paulinho da Viola classic with his sweet as honey voice and accompanied only by some matchbox percussion. This is the pure essence of Paulinho da Viola.

Gal Costa - Untitled Song
Gal sound drunk and/or high in the interview section, but this little song is sweet.








Caetano Veloso - Tropicália (Live)
This is the one interesting musical section from the news of 1972 from Disc 1. I like his 1972 reinterpretation of Tropicalia.

Luiz Gonzaga - Accordeon Solo
Man, can Luiz wail on accordeon. I wish somebody who makes beats would cut this up and make something cool out of it. Holler if you want a wav file and I'll hook you up.







Rosinha da Valença - De Conversa Em Conversa
Maybe Rosinha recorded this lovely number on one of her albums, but I recognize this tune from João Gilberto's 1969 album recorded in Mexico. Nice stuff.











Milton Nascimento - Untitled Song

I was marginally dissappointed with this one just because I would think that Milton in 1972 would be 24/7 mind-blowing. I think this is a version of another song he does, but can't place it. Little help people?








Edu Lobo - Candeias
Wow. Really digging this one. I guess Edu wrote it, but I know it from the lovely Gal & Caetano album "Domingo".

6 comments:

cp said...

wonderful! thanks for this. is the milton track "trabalhos (essa voz)" from "maria, maria"?

Josh Nice said...

Thanks a million for these.

Gal is not on the top of her game on that cut, but it's amazing what she's capable of doing. Talent to burn.

"Samba da Preguica" must have been pretty well known; maybe it became a carnaval tune? It was recorded by Nara Leao and also by Trio Mocoto on their 1st LP.

"Candeias" is also featured on the Edu Lobo & Bethania LP. On that version he double-tracks the outro lines to sing on top of himself. It's one of my favorite moments in recording history. This solo version is gorgeous. That guy's melodies reach down deep into my brain and don't let go.

Damian said...

ill try and chop up that accordeon solo track up to a beat damemsk@gmail.com thanks.

Scott Miller said...

The Gal song is Estamos Ai. I think it may just be on a single from 1973 though it also shows up on the Gal "A Arte" comp. The studio version has an upbeat Carnavale flavor. Not my favorite Gal song though it would be nice to hear a studio version with just guitar & her voice. This version is a really nice curio - she does sound wasted!

-miller

M + B said...

Brothaaa......Where is the RSS feed link on here. Got some Malaysian Hipsters that need to Dig in BRazil

Unknown said...

the Milton track is "Lilia" off of the "Clube da Esquina" album from 1972. the studio track on vinyl is much more polished...the 7os era Milton we know and love.