Pernambuco speaking to the world
This Playlist was created for Brandon Gibson-Degroote, who is teaching my son Matias how to see the world through music. In this post, I comment on the songs and rhythms that I chose to present the music traditions of where I was born.
1 - This story starts off confusing because it contains memories that will never fit into just one text. I chose a song by Quinteto Armorial to open the list of songs, because I have a great affection for the Armorial Movement, which the Enciclopaedia Brittanica calls “an intellectual and folkloric group devoted to the discovery and re-creation of the historic roots of Luso-Brazilian culture in [northeastern Brazil].” Lots of strings, flutes and drums.
2, 3 - The second and third songs represent the genre of maracatu. Siba is a brilliant musician who brought the genre back to mainstream along with traditional groups. In the traditional Maracatu, 4 rhythms with slight variations are played: The Martelo, the Luanda, the Arrastão – also called the Toque do Elefante, and the Baque Parado. The musical sequence used to follow some simple rules. A precentor would start a song (a Loa) which suited the situation. The group would respond in the refrain and finally the whole drum orchestra would join in, sometimes called by caixa. — Source.
4 - Antônio Nóbrega is a treasure of Pernambuco’s musical heritage. He plays, among an infinity of rhythms, ciranda. This song mentions several indigenous nations of Brazil. Ciranda is a type of dance and music […] ]that is very popular on the country’s Atlantic coast. It is particularly important to the culture of the island of Itamaracá, where the wives of fishermen sang and danced while waiting for their husbands to arrive from the sea after the day’s catch. Ciranda has also appeared simultaneously in areas of the interior of the *Zona da Mata Norte* (countryside) in Pernambuco. In the early history of Ciranda, participants were mostly rural workers and fishermen. — Source.
5 - Lia de Itamaracá is another treasure. My grandmother used to have a house on the island of Itamaracá. It was a very simple one, and I remember going with my family on holidays—such good memories.
6 - The next song represents the rhythm of Coco. Coco is a dance from the states of Pernambuco, Paraiba and Alagoas in the north-east of Brazil, with various names, depending on each region – Coco de Roda, Coco do Sertão, Coco de Praia, Catolé, Toré, Coco de Umbigada, Coco de Desafio, etc. […] ]From the Bantu African side comes the rhythm, based on the use of drums and shakers, and the refrain-verse format. From the native Brazilian side we have the group format, either a line or circle of people. - Source.
7 - Frevo is the next rhythm. Capiba is one of the founders and most respected musicians. Frevo music is a lively fusion of genres, blending influences from European polkas and marches with Afro-Brazilian rhythms. The brass section takes center stage, featuring trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, creating a cacophony of sound that propels the dancers into a rhythmic frenzy. The percussion section, including drums and the distinctive frevo “gonguê,” adds a pulsating beat that resonates with the heartbeats of those immersed in the celebration. - Source.
8 - Vassourinhas is probably the most famous frevo song. It plays endlessly during Recife’s carnival.
9 - Spok Frevo Orquestra is a band that made Frevo more accessible outside of a carnival environment.
10 - Baião is another rhythm of the region. Baião comes from a family of rhythms and dance steps called Forró. You can almost think of Forró like ballroom dance. Foxtrot, Quickstep, Waltz, etc., all refer to both rhythms/tempos and corresponding dance steps. When a particular rhythm is played, the dancers know what steps to do. Forró is very much the same. - Source. Luiz Gonzaga was a king. Such a beautiful and powerful voice.
11 - Alceu Valença is a link between traditional and contemporary Brazilian music. He plays all the rhythms with passion and joy.
12 - Mestre Ambrosio was Siba’s first successful project. Usina is a song that mixes maracatu and ciranda.
13 - Banda Eddie has this cute song that Clarissa and I love.
14 - Chico Science and Nação Zumbi is the band that created the mangue beat movement, the mix between traditional rhythms and rock. A genius who died young in a car accident. But his legacy is huge.
15 - Nação Zumbi is still playing with a different formation. This is my favourite song of theirs. Translation of the title: “My Maracatu Weights a Ton.” So powerful.
16 - Siba now has a solo career. Here’s one more great example of Ciranda.
17 - Karina Buhr is a modern pop musician, but her music still has the Pernambuco beat.
18 - Reginaldo Rossi was a kitsch musician but so popular. I remember my uncles and cousins listening to his live albums while we waited for lunch on weekends. Nowadays, this genre is called Brega, and maybe “kitsch” is the best way to translate it.
19 - Duda Beat could be defined as a new brega representative. This is a cute song of hers.
20 - This last song names the playlist: Pernambuco speaking to the world. Antônio Nóbrega shows up again to close our list. The content of the song is exactly what this list is about. Thanks for letting me share it.