Chill Brazil
I've been on a bit of a Brazilian music jag ever since I picked up a copy of the wonderful Chill Brazil CD last year in Atlanta. Suddenly, I'm running into Brazilian musical posts popping up all over the place.
Here's a brief guide to Brazilian music along with a cool gallery of Bossa Nova album covers via Gilda at the always-wonderful Neurastenia. M. Ace over at Irregular Orbit also has a review of the book Tropical Truth: A Story Of Music And Revolution In Brazil, by Caetano Veloso, who helped launch the political/musical Tropicalia movement in 1968 as a reaction against the dictatorial Brazilian government and the influx of British and American pop music flooding the airwaves.
Comments
Did you see "Talk To Her"? Veloso has a performing cameo in the movie.
Posted by: rone | March 27, 2004 3:21 AM
A Pedro Almodóvar film, here in the capital of the upper Midwest? Shirley, you jest.
I'll have to order that one from Netflix or look for it on IFC.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | March 27, 2004 9:33 AM
Actually, they were not exactly fighting "the influx of British and American pop music flooding the airwaves" (which wasn't that strong anyway). They happily incorporated influences from Anglophone rock (and everything else) to spice their stew. Which irritated not so much the government, but rather the MPB establishment and the Left, who wanted to keep Brazilian music pure and free of Imperialist influences. Meanwhile, the Right hated them for their free-form aesthetic. When Veloso and Gilberto Gil were arrested, they were actually quite shocked. "But the Left hates us!" It's all very complicated.
Posted by: M.Ace | March 27, 2004 3:37 PM
Please don't give me a ticket Officer M.Ace, they'll take away my dramatic license...
Posted by: MrBaliHai | March 27, 2004 6:18 PM
Sir, please keep your hands on the roof of your weblog while Sgt. Friday runs your password for any outstanding warrants.
Good article you linked to, or at least the portion I've had time to read so far.
And once again, I highly recommend Ruy Castro's "Bossa Nova" book, followed by Velosos's "Tropical Truth". It's all a very fascinating story.
Posted by: M.Ace | March 27, 2004 11:18 PM
I'll definitely check them out.
I picked up a Tropicalia sampler last night and have it on heavy disc-changer rotation. I must own more Os Mutante.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | March 28, 2004 9:14 AM