“Mas Que Nada” by Tamba Trio
I’ve always been a bigger fan of the artistic side of football than I’ve been of its more physical/athletic aspect. With the focus firmly placed on performance these days, very few players develop a creative approach to the sport. Out of the few who are truly technically gifted, only a handful have the courage (and nerves) to inject a little fantasy into their game. In situations of high pressure, it takes an incredible amount of self-confidence to go for the spectacular when the ordinary would probably suffice.
What this has to do with “Mas Que Nada”? Well everything actually. For starters I came across this song for the first time in a Nike Commercial featuring the Brazilian national team right before the 1998 world cup. The commercial is a testament to the Brazilian approach to football which in many ways mirrors the characteristics of Samba music: joyful, precise, rhythmic and flamboyant…..the only way to play as far as I’m concerned.
The original “Mas Que Nada” was released by the legendary Jorge Ben in 1963. This remake by Tamba Trio is also from 1963, coming out only a few months after the original version. The world cup commercial gave it another run at the charts in 1998.
Joga Bonito!
Title: Mas Que Nada
Artist: Tamba Trio
Album: Millenium, 2000 (originally recorded in 1963)
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“Canto de Ossanha” by Vinicius De Moraes
The original version of “Canto de Ossanha” was collaborative effort between two Brazilian icons of their time: Baden Powell the master guitarist and Vinicius de Moraes who was nicknamed “O Poetinha” (the little poet). Both men had an incredible impact on the samba/bossanova landscape, with Vinicius de Moraes penning perennial classics like “Garota de Ipanema” and Baden composing standards like “Samba Triste”.
I can say without a doubt that “Canto de Ossanha” is the song that made me pick up the guitar. The melodies and energy in Powell’s composition are simply irresistible. Songs like this make wonder whether I was born in the right era. What I would give see these two perform this song live………….Maybe in another lifetime.
Title: Canto de Ossanha
Artist: Vinicius de Moraes, Maria Creuza, Toquinho
Album: Vinicius de Moraes con Maria Creuza y Toquinho, 1970
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Loading ...“Samba Da Bencao” by Bebel Gilberto
With “Samba Da Bencao”, Bebel gives us another gem that is best consumed with a smile on your face, on a summer day…sort of like today. 31 degrees in Sydney, and not a cloud in sight on this beautiful “Australia Day”.
In the song, Bebel refers to an interesting aspect of “Samba”: the fact that the music always evokes a hint of nostalgia, regardless of its subject matter. I’ve noticed this with most Brazilian music, especially Bossanova and I think this is what gives it that “classic” feeling….. that depth.
“Fazer samba nao e contar piada, E quem faz samba assim nao e de nada, O bom samba e uma forma de oracao, Porque o samba e a tristeza que balanca, E a tristeza tem sempre uma esperanca, De um dia nao ser mais triste nao”
Roughly translates to
“To make a samba is not like telling a joke
And who makes samba like this is worth nothing, The good samba is a kind of prayer
Because samba is the sadness that sways, And sadness is always hopeful
Of one day not being sad anymore”
Enjoy…
Title: Samba Da Bencao
Artist: Bebel Gilberto,
Album: Tanto Tempo
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Loading ...“Berekeke” by Geraldo Azevedo
Forró is folk Brazilian music that originates from the Northeastern part of the country. It is extremely rhythmic and a permanent fixture at parties. Forró lyrics are usually about love and romance, passion, jealousy, or reminiscing about an ex-lover. They often are about Northeastern themes and the longing or homesickness that was often experienced during migrations in search of work.
Geraldo Azevedo is considered a pioneer in the genre and has been very popular since the 1970s. I came across “Berekeke” in 2000 while snooping around a friend’s music folders on his computer. I’ve been a fan ever since.
With the acoustic guitar being my favorite instrument, Berekeke really hits home for me. The song involves multiple guitars that interact to create a beautiful “mess” in terms of melodies, while keeping traditional samba rhythms with the percussion.
Brazil….
Title: Berekeke
Artist: Geraldo Azevedo
Album: Berekeke, 1995
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“Corcovado” by Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto, Joao Gilberto, Jobim
Putting the magic of the music itself aside, Corcovado is a classic by default when you read the production credits. The song boasts no less than four pioneers of the genre: Astrud Gilberto on the vocals, Stan Getz on the saxophone, Jobim on the piano and Joao Gilberto on the guitar and vocals. This was originally recorded and released in 1964 on probably the greatest bossa nova album: “Getz/Gilberto”.
The lyrics are in both Portuguese and English with Astrud providing an English intro to the song, and Joao continuing in Portuguese from then on. You can sense a slight hesitation in the way Astrud sings in English, but the beauty of her voice overshadows any imperfections in her pronunciation:
“Quiet nights of quiet stars,
Quiet chords from my guitar,
Floating on the silence that surrounds us,
Quiet thoughts and quiet dreams,
Quiet walks by quiet streams,
And a window that looks out on Corcovado,
Oh! How lovely……..”
Stan Getz’ melodies on the saxophone evoke the bittersweet longing experienced by someone reminiscing about good times spent in his favorite place on earth. In this case, he is referring to the mountain that towers over Rio de Janeiro: “Corcovado”.
This is one of those songs that stands out in so many ways, that you experience it in a new light with each listen.
Take your time with it…….
Title: Corcovado
Artist: Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto, Joao Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim
Album: Getz/Gilberto, 1964
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Ssidy is what my friends call me. I was born in Senegal of Malian parents (hence my Mali nationality). I grew up all over the place…Bamako, London, Accra, Cape Town, before I went to college in Miami and finally got a job in Sydney where I’ve been living since August 2008.
When I’m not working on The Timbuktu Project, or as a financial analyst (full-time), you can usually catch me somewhere on a football pitch or involved in anything music related. Music is everything to me. Whatever mood I am in, there is always a song that captures the moment perfectly. Anyone who has spent more than 10 minutes around me will probably attest to this: I listen to all types of stuff.....possibly because no single genre holds enough songs to quench that musical thirst of mine... 