Customer Reviews

Brazil Classics 3: Forro Etc

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este ritmo tipico del norte de brasil es absolutamente diferente de lo que usualmente conocemos como "musica de brasil " (samba,bossa nova,etc). Su cadencia ritmica es distinta y la base instrumental tambien lo es. Hecha esta salvedad, es un ritmo con mucho encanto y muy alegre en sus melodias. La seleccion presentada aqui, como toda seleccion, tiene sus ausencias, y algunas presencias no tan merecidas o correctas, pero es una muy buena forma de conocer una "nueva" forma de musica del brasil, diferente, pero tan rica como las otras expresiones musicales de ese pais

This is the third in David Byrne's series of Brazilian compilations and it's every bit as good as its companions. By including Gal Costa (who I think is fantastic), Byrne doesn't totally move away from showcasing the work of the MPB crowd, but moreso than in the other albums does he present the music of the real forro and nordeste artists, Jackson do Pandeiro and Luis Gonzaga in particular (Gal & Elba Ramalho are the only pop stars represented on this disc). "Estrela Miuda" by Joao do Vale is one of my all-time favorites. The only thing that honestly bothers me about this disc is that every time I open it up to play it, I'm confronted with this macabre old b&w picture of about 15 decapitated head sitting on shelves. Horrified and intrigued when I first saw this, I poured through the liner notes for an explanation or relevance of this, but found none. Granted, I'm not the world's foremost expert on Brazilian culture and history (I learned Portuguese and my fiance is from Portugal, but I'm basically just a huge fan of the music), but if there's some connection here, it's totally lost on me.

David Byrne's Luaka-bob series on Brazilian music are some of the very best world-music compilations around. Volume 1 ("Beleza Tropical") is definitely the place to get started -- it's so enchanting you will have to keep going. By the time you get to this one, Vol. 3, hopefully you'll be hooked. This is Brazilian music with a "country" feel, a bit more rural and rough and thus a very spicy addition to the series. Buy this if you liked the others in the series.

David Byrne of Talking Heads brings us a compilation of forr?, a style of music from Northern Brazil, a "mixture of ska and polka!" This is a terrific compilation of eclectic music that I happened across years ago, but never opened until recently. I wonder why I never opened it? I wish I had, because I've been missing out for far too long on this wonderful taste of Brazillian rural backyard party music. I'm enjoying this so much that I'm going to buy the first two volumes in the series. David Byrne is oft neglected in mainstream music, yet he is regularly producing excellent works either from his solo albums or by gathering the works of others like this and bringing it to the people of the rest of the world. Thank you David and thank you to all of the musicians and singers who contributed music to this compilation. An excellent purchase for the eclectic music lover.

This compila tion CD of music from Brazil's harsh northeast is one of the most enjoyable CDs that I have heard in a long time. Unlike many pop CDs - which you buy for one good song, only to find that the song you bought it for is the only good one on the disc - this one is loaded with treasures. The late great Jackson do Pandeiro (1919-1982) is represented by two delightful cuts, and the legendary Luiz Gonzaga (1912-1989)has four cuts. Those unfamiliar with the music are doubtless wondering "What is it like?" It is extraordinarily energetic party music. As David Byrne points out in his notes it is somewhat reminiscent of zydeco, though I would be inclined to describe it as zydeco on speed. The rhythmic and instrumental qualities are strictly those of Latin America. The lyrics are, not surisingly, in Portugese (Though the CD booklet has translations). I highly recommend it for you that are tired of the dreary, bankrupt pop current in the US today. Put this on at your next party and watch people come alive.

This is the best musical CD about brazilan classic songs that I have ever heard. I hope that I can hear more songs of those singers.