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Os sonhos não envelhecem: Histórias do Clube da Esquina. Márcio Borges. São Paulo: Geração Editorial, 1996. Milton Nascimento and the group of young, talented musicians from Belo Horizonte, who in the 60's and 70's wrote some of the most beautiful music ever to come out of Brazil. And yes, Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays DID go to Minas to see the famous street corner... |
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Antonio Carlos Jobim, Um Homem Iluminado. Helena Jobim. Rio de Janeiro: Editora Nova Fronteira, 1996. Jobim's sister wrote an intimate, loving, intense, delicate account of his life. Preface by Chico Buarque de Holanda. I found it very emotional reading. Sérgio Cabral told me he put his biography of Tom on hold for a while, because Helena's book was coming out, but that he will publish it perhaps later in 1997. |
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As Escolas de Samba do Rio de Janeiro. Sérgio Cabral. Rio de Janeiro: Editora Lumiar, 1996. A new, revised edition of the 1974 book. The history of Rio's samba schools plus interviews with some of the greatest sambistas of all times (Ismael Silva, Bide, Cartola, Dona Ivone de Lara) and the people who help create the parades, the greatest show on Earth. Also, winners of the competitions over the years. I asked the author if there was any truth in the stories I heard over the years about the use of cats' skins for percussion instruments in the morros of Rio...he said not true...the great percussionist Marçal explains it all in his interview... |
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A Divina Comédia dos Mutantes. Carlos Calado. Rio de Janeiro: Editora 34, 1995. The author is a radio producer and music reviewer from São Paulo. Somewhere between the 60s and the 80s there was a rock band - composed of the brothers Sérgio and Arnaldo Baptista and that most amazing woman, Rita Lee - called The Mutants. Associated with Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil, these guys literally rocked the Brazilian music scene and made history. After I have a chance to read it, I'll say more. |
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Furacão Elis. Regina Echeverria. São Paulo: Globo, 1994. A touching biography of the extraordinary singer who left us much too early in 1982. I don't know about you, but it took me years, after she died, to be able to listen to her again. It was way too painful... |
Eles e Eu: memórias de Ronaldo Bôscoli. Luiz Carlos Maciel e Ângela Chaves. Rio de Janeiro: Nova Fronteira, 1994. One of the most famous bossa nova lyricists, journalist, bohemian and - for a time - husband to Elis Regina, Ronaldo told his story and stories to two journalists in Rio shortly before his death.
As paixões tristes: Lupicínio e a dor-de-cotovelo. Rosa Maria Dias. Rio de Janeiro: Leviatã Publicações, 1994. A very short study of Brazil's greatest torch songs and the man who wrote them. I'm not sure if it is, but it certainly reads like a college thesis. But don't miss the CD "Joanna canta Lupicínio." As a friend said to me: "turn down the lights and let's dance!"
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No tempo de Ari Barroso. Sérgio Cabral. Rio de Janeiro, Lumiar Editora, 1993. The definitive biography of the famous composer of Aquarela do Brasil (Brazil) by THE expert on Brazilian music. Sérgio's numerous books, articles, interviews and reviews are not to be missed by anyone seriously interested in Brazilian music. |
Batucadas de Samba. Marcelo Salazar. Rio de Janeiro: Lumiar Editora, 1991. An illustrated guide to playing samba percussion in six languages, with an introduction by Sérgio Cabral. Includes a record.
Noel Rosa: uma biografia. João Máximo e Carlos Didier. Brasília: Editora Universidade de Brasília: Linha Gráfica Editora, 1990. A comprehensive biography of the great composer and a history of his times. Also lyrics to his songs. Lots of photographs. A hefty volume, this will add a few pounds to your luggage.
No tempo de Almirante: uma história do Rádio e da MPB. Sérgio Cabral. Rio de Janeiro, Francisco Alves Editora, 1990. History and stories of radio in Brazil, in a biography of the extraordinary composer and radio personality. Insights into the lives and personalities of many of our favorite people, including the fabulous Carmen Miranda.
Chico Buarque: letra e música. Companhia das Letras. São Paulo, Editora Schwarcz Ltda, 1990. A short biography of the composer and lyrics to all his songs until 1989.
Chega de Saudade: a história e as histórias da bossa nova. Ruy Castro. São Paulo, Editora Schwarcz Ltda., 1990. A fascinating account of the musical wave that swept Brazil and the world.
Brasil Musical. Several authors. Rio de Janeiro, Art Bureau Representações e Edições de Arte, 1988. A bilingual (Portuguese-English) encyclopedia of Brazilian popular music.