Song No. 206 — Bim Bom | João Gilberto (1958)

Bim Bom was introduced by João Gilberto in August 1958 as the B-side to Chega de Saudade. Recorded on 10 July and arranged and conducted by Antônio Carlos Jobim, Bim Bom was Gilberto’s only original composition apart from Hô-bá-lá-lá on his debut album Chega de Saudade, released in March 1959.

Bim Bom was written as early as 1955 or 1956 in João Gilberto do Prado Pereira de Oliveira’s hometown of Juazeiro, inspired, so the legend goes, by the rhythmic walk with which the laundresses on the banks of the São Francisco River balanced their laundry on their heads.

Although it was recorded only a few times in Brazil in the 1960s, Bim Bom enjoyed considerable popularity in the USA from 1962 onwards, fuelled by Stan Getz’s recording on his Big Band Bossa Nova album, arranged by Gary McFarland. Arranged by Gil Evans, Bim Bom became one of Astrud Gilberto’s best-known interpretations in 1966.

Selected recordings of Bim Bom:

1. João Gilberto from the single Chega de Saudade b/w Bim Bom (1958, Odeon14.360)  and the album Chega de Saudade (1959, Odeon MOFB 3073)

   
Artwork for Chega de Saudade by César G. Villela with photographs by Francisco Pereira

2. Oscar Castro Neves from the album Bossa Nova Mesmo (1960, Philips P 630.424 L)

   

3. Juarez Araújo from the album Bossa Nova nos ‘States’ (1962, Masterplay MDL 13020)

   

4. Stan Getz from the EP Big Band Bossa Nova (1962, Verve/Copacabana VMLP 14017)

Artwork for Big Band Bossa Nova with painting by Olga Albizu

5. Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ’66 from the album Equinox (1967, A&M Records [USA] SP 4122 and Fermata [BRA] FB-184)

   
Artwork for Equinox by Peter Whorf Graphics

6. Milton Banana from the album Todo Dia é Dia (1968, Odeon MOFB 3524)

   
Artwork for Todo Dia é Dia by Studio Maitry

Selected medleys including Bim Bom:

1. Lennie Dale e Bossa Três from the album Um Show de Bossa (1964, Elenco ME-12)

   
Artwork for Um Show de Bossa by César G. Villela with photographs by Francisco Pereira

Selected recordings of Bim Bom originally not issued in Brazil:

1. João Gilberto from the album Getz/Gilberto #2 (1965, Verve Records [USA] V6-8623)

Artwork for Getz/Gilberto #2 by Acy Lehman  with painting by Olga Albizu

2. Astrud Gilberto from the album Look to the Rainbow (1966, Verve Records [USA] V6-8643)

   
Artwork for Look to the Rainbow by Acy Lehman with photograph by Joel Elkins

3. Ornella Vanoni from the album Ai Miei Amici Cantautori (1968, Ariston Records [Italy] AR/LP 10020)

   

4. Sadao Watanabe from the album Sadao Meets Brazilian Friends (1968, Columbia [Japan] XMS-10003-CT)

BIM BOM

Bim bom bim bim bom bom • Bim bom bim bim bom bim bom • Bim bom bim bim bom bom • Bim bom bim bim bom bim bim

É só isso o meu baião • E não tem mais nada, não • O meu coração pediu assim, só

Bim bom bim bim bom bom • Bim bom bim bim bom bim bom • Bim bom bim bim bom bom • Bim bom bim bim bom bim bim

É só isso o meu baião • E não tem mais nada, não • O meu coração pediu assim, só

Bim bom bim bim bom bom • Bim bom bim bim bom bom • Só tem bom bim bom bim bim

Song No. 85 — Wave aka Vou Te Contar | Antônio Carlos Jobim (1967)

Wave, sometimes also titled Waves or Onda, was introduced in October 1967 by Antônio Carlos Jobim as an instrumental piece on his album of the same name, arranged and conducted by Claus Ogerman. The lineup included Urbie Green and Jimmy Cleveland on trombone, Ron Carter on bass and a 17-piece string ensemble. Playing drums on some of the tracks, Dom Um Romão was the only native Brazilian apart from Jobim. The album was Jobim’s third collaboration with Ogerman in 1967 following Francis Albert Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim and A Certain Mr. Jobim, and his fourth including The Composer of Desafiando in 1963.

In Brazil, the first release of Wave was probably Sérgio Mendes’ version with Brasil ’66, although recorded after Jobim’s original.

Wave inspired also some notable jazz versions including from Stanley Turrentine, Ahmad Jamal, Paul Desmond and Brasil’s very own Victor Assis Brasil who recorded an epic 14 minute version. Sarah Vaughan was noted for her skilful concert renditions of the song while Frank Sinatra recorded his lowest note on Wave, a low E♭, at his second session with Jobim in November 1969.

Both the English and the Brazilian lyrics, titled Vou te Contar, were written by Jobim soon after the album release. Wave, the album, turned out to be Jobim’s most successful one while Wave, the song, became an instant classic with more than 200 recordings.

Selected recordings of Wave aka Vou Te Contar:

1. Antônio Carlos Jobim from the album Wave (1967, A&M Records/Odeon A&M 2010 and CTI/A&M Records [USA] SP 3002)

Artwork for Wave by Sam Antupit with photograph by Pete Turner

2. Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ’66 from the album Equinox (1967, A&M Records [USA] SP 4122 and A&M Records/Odeon A&M 2002)

  
Artwork for Equinox by Peter Whorf Graphics

3. Norberto Baldauf from the album Êle Gravou Parole Até 2^a Feira (1968, Philips R 765.042 L)

   

4. Quarteto 004 and Antônio Carlos Jobim from the album Retrato em Branco e Prêto (1968, Ritmos/Codil CDL 13011)

   
Artwork for Retrato em Branco e Prêto by Millor Fernandes

5. Paulo Moura from the album Mensagem (1968, Equipe EQC 6001)

   
Artwork for Mensagem by Selma Knupfer

6. Os Cariocas from the single Viola Enluarada b/w Vou Te Contar (1968, RCA Victor LC-6422)

7. Som Nove from the album Som Nove (1968, Ritmos/Codil CDL 13010)

  
Artwork for Som Nove by Joselito with photographs by Mafra

8. Caçulinha from the album Caçulinha (1968, Odeon MOFB 3553)

9. Paulo Moura Hepteto + 10. Quarteto 004 and Antônio Carlos Jobim from the album Show Discomunal (1968, Museu da Imagem e do Som MIS 007)

  
Artwork for Show Discomunal by Joselito

11. Conjunto Belsom from the album O Som Internacional do Belsom (c.1968, Hot/Rioson LPH 5015)

   

12. O Quarteto from the album O Quarteto (1968, Philips R 765.055 L)

   

13. Dóris Monteiro from the album Mudando de Conversa (1969, Odeon MOFB 3575)

   

14. Sebastião Tapajós from the album Sebastião Tapajós e Sua Gitarra Cósmica (1969, Forma VDL 114)

   
Artwork for Sebastião Tapajós e Sua Gitarra Cósmica by Lincoln with photographs by Gaúcho

15. Bossa Rio from the album Bossa Rio (1969, Polydor LPG 624.019)

   

16. Victor Pilla from the album Brazilian New Sound (1969, Polydor LPNG 44.027)

   

17. Papudinho from the album Papudinho Especial! (1969, PAT Records ‎LP-307)

   

18. Elis Regina and Toots Thielemans from the album Elis & Toots (1969, Philips ‎[SWE] PY 842 564), released in Brazil as Elis Regina e Toots Thielemans (1978, Fontana/Philips 6436 123) and as Honeysuckle Rose Aquarela do Brasil (1978, Elenco ME-162)

   

19. Luiz Eça from the album Luiz Eça, Piano e Cordas – Vol. 2 (1970, Elenco SE 1005)

   

20. Samba 5 from the album Moderninho (1970, Tropicana TRO 3031)

   

21. Victor Assis Brasil from the album Jobim (1970, Quartin LP RSQ 2)

22. Percy Faith from the album Black Magic Woman (1971, CBS 137756 and Columbia [USA] CQ 30800)

   
Artwork for Black Magic Woman by Joe Garnett

23. Elis Regina from the album Elis Regina in London (1972, Philips 6349 042, recorded 1969)

   

24. Oscar Castro Neves and Lee Ritenour from the album Um Encontro (1974, Evento/Odeon SE 11005)

   

25. Geraldo Vespar from the album Brasil Romântico (1975, Odeon SMOFB 3860)

   

26. João Gilberto from the album Amoroso (1977, WEA BR 36.022)

27. Antônio Carlos Jobim, from the album Tom / Vinícius / Toquinho / Miúcha – Gravado ao Vivo no Caneção (1977, Som Livre 403.6142)

   

Selected medleys of Wave aka Vou Te Contar:

1. Elis Regina from the album Elis Especial (1968, Philips P 765.056 L)

  

Selected recordings of Wave aka Vou Te Contar originally not issued in Brazil:

1. Lenita Bruno from the album Work of Love (1967, Nucleus Records)

2. Walter Wanderley and Talya Ferro from the album Batucada (1967, Verve Records [USA] V6-8706)

   

3. Nancy Wilson from the album Easy (1968, Capitol Records [USA] ST-2909)

   

4. Frank Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim from the unissued album Sinatra–Jobim (1969, Reprise [USA]), partly issued as Sinatra & Company (1971, Reprise Records [USA] FS-1033 and 1973, Reprise Records/Continental RLLP [USA] 2019)

   

5. Stanley Turrentine from the album Ain’t No Way (1981, Blue Note [USA] LT-1095, recorded 1969)

6. The Sandpipers from the album The Wonder of You (1969, A&M Records ‎[USA] SP-4180)

   

7. Oscar Peterson from the album Motions & Emotions (1969, MPS Records ‎[GER] MPS 15251 ST)

8. Ahmad Jamal from the album The Awakening (1970, Impulse! [USA] AS-9194)

   

9. Buddy Rich from the album Stick it (1972, RCA Victor [USA] LSP-4802)

   

10. Sarah Vaughan from the album Send in the Clowns (1974, Mainstream Records ‎[USA] MRL 412)

11. Paul Desmond from the album Pure Desmond (1975, CTI Records ‎[USA] CTI 6059 S1, skipped from release)

   

Wave performed by Sarah Vaughan at the XIV Festival Internazionale del Jazz in Bologna (1973)

WAVE

So close your eyes • For that’s a lovely way to be • Aware of things your heart alone was meant to see • The fundamental loneliness goes • Whenever two can dream a dream together

You can’t deny • Don ‘t try to fight the rising sea • Don’t fight the moon, the stars above and don’t fight me • The fundamental loneliness goes • Whenever two can dream a dream together

When I saw you first the time was half past three • When your eyes met mine it was eternity

By now we know • The wave is on its way to be • Just catch the wave don’t be afraid of loving me • The fundamental loneliness goes • Whenever two can dream a dream together

VOU TE CONTAR

Vou te contar, os olhos já não podem ver • Coisas que só o coração pode entender • Fundamental é mesmo o amor • É impossível ser feliz sozinho

O resto é mar, e tudo que eu não sei contar • São coisas lindas que eu tenho pra te dar • Vem de mansinho a brisa e me diz • É impossível ser feliz sozinho

Da primeira vez era a cidade • Da segunda o cais e a eternidade

Agora eu já sei, da onda que se ergueu no mar • E das estrelas que esquecemos de contar • O amor se deixa surpreender • Enquanto a noite vem nos envolver

Song No. 67 — O Sapo a.k.a. A Rã | João Donato & Caetano Veloso (1967)

A Rã was introduced in September of 1967 by Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ’66 on the single The Frog b/w Watch What Happens, heralding the group’s third album Look Around.

Initially, the song was performed as an instrumental with vocal improvisation titled O Sapo or The Frog (even though sapo means toad). Allegedly, João Donato composed the song while taking a bath at the house of one of the female singers of Brazil ’66, imitating the croaking of a frog while playing the song on guitar. When Donato introduced the melody of only four notes to Sérgio Mendes, he immediately liked it so much he chose it as the opening track of Look Around.

However, it took three years until A Rã was recorded by João Donato himself in 1970. The same year, it was also first recorded by another artist, by João Gilberto as O Sapo. Only when Caetano Veloso added the lyrics in 1972 the title was changed to A Rã (meaning frog). This lyricized version was probably first recorded by Gal Costa, arranged by João Donato himself. Apparently, Veloso did not record the song until 2006.

In 1973, at a time Donato felt that “bossa nova wasn’t his thing anymore”, he re-recorded A Rã on his A Bad Donato, an album that is considered a jazz-funk fusion benchmark featuring Bud Shank as well as fellow Brazilians like Dom Um Romão and Oscar Castro Neves.

Selected recordings of O Sapo a.k.a. A Rã:

1. Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ’66 from the single The Frog b/w Watch What Happens (1967, Fermata FB-33.235) and the album Look Around (1968, Fermata FB 217)

  

2. João Gilberto from the album João Gilberto en México (1970, Orpheon/Tapecar LP-12.717) aka João Gilberto (1970, Philips SLP 199.055)

   

3. João Donato from the album Quem é Quem (1973, Odeon SMOFB 3785)

   

4. Gal Costa from the album Cantar (1974, Philips 6349 117)

   

5. Conjunto Aquarius from the album Aquarius (1976, Continental 1.07.405.098)

Versions of O Sapo a.k.a. A Rã originally not issued in Brazil:

1. João Donato from the album A Bad Donato (1970, Blue Thumb Records [USA] 21)

   

A RÃ

Coro de cor • Sombra de som de cor • De mal me quer • De mal me quer de bem • De bem me diz • De me dizendo assim • Serei feliz • Serei feliz de flor • De flor em flor • De samba em samba em som • De vai e vem • De verde verde ver • Pé de capim • Bico de pena pio • De bem te vi • Amanhecendo sim • Perto de mim • Perto da claridade • Da manhã • A grama a lama tudo • É minha irmã • A rama o sapo o salto • De uma rã

Song No. 59 — Chove Chuva | Jorge Ben (1963)

Chove Chuva was introduced in 1963 by Jorge Duílio Ben Zabella Lima de Menezes aka Jorge Ben aka Jorge Ben Jor as the second single from his debut album Samba Esquema Novo. Following Ben’s debut single Mas Que Nada, recorded with João Theodoro Meirelles & Os Copa 5, which became by far Brazil’s most successful song of 1963, Chova Chuva, this time featuring Bossa Três with Luis Carlos Vinhas on piano, Sebastião Neto on bass and Édison Machado on drums, became a worthy successor ranking in the year-end charts at number five.

Lenita Bruno’s version was the first that featured the English lyrics provided by Norman Gimbel, titled Constant is the Rain.

Like Mas Que Nada, also Chove Chuva gained international success mostly due to Sergio Mendes‘ version recorded in 1967 with his Brasil ’66. Unlike Mas Que Nada, Chuva Chuva was not as heavily covered neither internationally or in Brazil. However, it is one of Ben’s most iconic songs and still enjoys uninterrupted popularity.

Selected recordings of Chove Chuva:

1. Jorge Ben from the album Samba Esquema Novo (1963, Philips P 632.161 L)

  
Art work for Samba Esquema Novo by Paulo Brèves with photograph by Mafra

2. Nininha from the album Coquetel de Sambas (1964, Chantecler CMG 2287)

  

3. Walter Wanderley from the album Entre Nós (1964, Philips P 632.197 L)

  

4. Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ’66 from the album Equinox (1967, A&M Records/Odeon A&M 2002)

   
Art work for Equinox by Peter Whorf Graphics

5. Luiz Loy from the album Balanço Pra Frente (1968, London/Odeon LLB 1042)

6. Elza Soares from the album Tesouro Musical (1968, Odeon MOAB 6002/3)

  

7. Nelsinho from the album Brazilian Beat Vol. 3 (1969, London/Odeon LLB 1046)

  

8. Geraldo Vespar from the album Brasil Romântico (1974, Odeon SMOFB 3860)

  
Art work for Brasil Romântico by Joselito with photographs by Mafra

Selected medleys including Chove Chuva:

1. Zimbo Trio from the album F.M. Stéreo (1974, Philips 6349 109)

2. Rosana Toledo & Pery Ribeiro from the album 100 Anos de Música Popular Brasileira – 6 Projeto Minerva (1975, MEC/Tapecar MPB-1006)

  

Selected recordings of Chove Chuva originally not issued in Brazil:

1. Lenita Bruno from the album Work of Love (1964, Nucleus Records [USA] BMS121)

2. Miriam Makeba from the album Makeba Sings! (1965, RCA Victor ‎[USA] LSP-3321)

3. Warren Kime and his Brass Impact Orchestra from the album Explosive Brass Impact Vol. 2 (1967, Command [USA] RS 919 SD)

  

4. Tadayuki Harada from the album Playboy’s Theme (1968, Takt [Japan] 10004)

  

5. The Gimmicks from the album Brazilian Samba (1969, Decca Eclipse ‎[UK] ECS-R 2054)

  

Chove Chuva performed by Miriam Makeba at Berns Salonger, Stockholm (1966)

CHOVE CHUVA

Chove Chuva • Chove sem parar • Chove Chuva • Chove sem parar

Pois eu vou fazer uma prece • Prá Deus, nosso Senhor • Prá chuva parar • De molhar o meu divino amor • Que é muito lindo • É mais que o infinito • É puro e belo • Inocente como a flôr • Por favor, chuva ruim • Não molhe mais • O meu amor assim

Chove Chuva • Chove sem parar • Chove Chuva • Chove sem parar

Pois eu vou fazer uma prece • Prá Deus, nosso Senhor • Prá chuva parar • De molhar o meu divino amor • Que é muito lindo • É mais que o infinito • É puro e belo • Inocente como a flôr • Por favor, chuva ruim • Não molhe mais • O meu amor assim

Chove Chuva • Chove sem parar • Chove Chuva • Chove sem parar

Sacundim, sacundém • Imboró, congá • Dombim, dombém • Agouê, obá
Sacundim, sacundém • Imboró, congá • Dombim, dombém • Agouê, obá

CONSTANT IS THE RAIN

Chove, chuva • Constant is the rain • Chove, chuva • Endless is the pain • Chove, chove, chove, chuva • Endless is the pain

As I stand here and remember • When once our hearts were one • And everyday was spring to me • To be loved and to go on the sun

Now the days are lonely • The song of love is still • They say that I will forget you • But I say I never will

And it hurts with such a pain • To be alone and lonely in the rain • And it hurts with such a pain to be • Alone and lonely in the rain

Chove, chuva • Constant is the rain • Chove, chuva • Endless is the pain • Chove, chove, chove, chuva • Endless is the pain

[English Lyrics by Norman Gimbel]

Song No. 31 — Mas Que Nada | Jorge Ben (1963)

Mas Que Nada was introduced in 1963 by Jorge Duílio Ben Zabella Lima de Menezes aka Jorge Ben, meanwhile known as Jorge Ben Jor, with two different recordings on two albums and two singles on two different labels.

In early 1963, while performing at the nightclub Bottle’s with the renowned Os Copa 5 featuring João Theodoro Meirelles on tenor sax, Pedro Paulo on trumpet, Toninho on piano, Manuel Gusmão on bass and Dom Um Romão on drums , organist Zé Maria introduced two songs by the still unknown Jorge Ben: Mas Que Nada and Por Causa de Você, Menina. Both songs were introduced on record with Jorge Ben as vocalist on Zé Maria’s album Tudo Azul – Bossa Nova e Balanço, however, issued on Continental only in September 1963 after the songs became famous.

After that recording session, Continental re-recorded both songs for Jorge Ben’s debut single, again accompanied by Os Copa 5 but with different arrangements. This  single was issued about May or June with Por Causa de Você, Menina as A-side and Mas Que Nada as B-side.

While radio stations immediately got enthusiastic about Mas Que Nada, Jorge Ben switched labels to Philips who released the very same recordings in July 1963 on single as well but in reverse order. The same month, Tamba Trio were the first to pick up Mas Que Nada on their album Avanço, the first of about at least 150 cover versions to come. In the weeks and months following, the song became by far the biggest hit of the year and was, of course, also included on Jorge Ben’s debut album Samba Esquema Novo, which was released in late September 1963. On single, Mas Que Nada was followed by Chove Chuva which became a smash as well, ranking at number five of the year-end charts.

  

  
Tudo Azul – Bossa Nova e Balanço was reissued in 1969 by Disco Lar as  Tudo Azul (LPDS – 32.008) featuring the reworked cover photograph from Albertinho Fortuna’s album Prelúdio (Continental PPL 12.073) from 1963.

Internationally, Mas Que Nada has arguably become one of, if not the, most covered songs from Brazil, probably best known in the version Sérgio Mendes recorded in 1966 which became the first song performed in Portuguese to enter the US Billboard charts, even though mispelled Mais Que Nada. The song was instantly picked up by numerous and very different musicians: jazzmen such as Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson and Odell Brown as well as band leaders from the world of easy listening, supper club music and even space age pop like Warren Kime, Ronnie Aldrich and Edmundo Ros, whose recordings of Mas Que Nada sometimes tried to push the limits of the song with their big and sleek orchestral settings and choirs, though often very entertaining.

Selected recordings of Mas Que Nada:

1. Zé Maria featuring Jorge Ben from the album Tudo Azul – Bossa Nova e Balanço (1963, Continental PPL 12079)

   

2. Jorge Ben & Os Copa 5 from the singles Por Causa de Você, Menina b/w Mas Que Nada (1963, Continental 78-273) and Mas Que Nada b/w Por Causa de Você, Menina (1963, Philips, P-61.208-H) and the album Samba Esquema Novo (1963, Philips P 632.161 L)

  
Art work for Samba Esquema Novo by Paulo Brèves with photgraph by Mafra

3. Tamba Trio from the album Avanço (1963, Philips P 632.154 L)

  
Art work for Avanço by Paulo Brèves with photograph by Francisco Perreira

4. Walter Gonçalves aka Waltinho from the album Magi Ritmo (1963, Magisom GMLP 1010)

  

5. Hélio Mendes & Trio Vagalume aka Quarteto Arpoador from the album Na Bossa aka Bossa no Castelinho) (1963, Musiplay LPM 1110 and Esquema EDL-MU 5024)

  
Art work for Bossa No Castelinho by Joselito with photograph by Mafra

6. Luiz Carlos Vinhas from the album Novas Estruturas (1964, Forma FM-2)

Art work for Novas Estruturas showing a painting by Patrícia Tattersfield

7. Corisco & Os Sambaloucos from the album Outro Show de Bossa (1964, Philips P 632.190 L)

  
Artwork for Outro Show de Bossa by Paulo Brèves

8. Trio Samba from the album Samba! Samba! Samba! (1964, Philips P 632.198 L)

  
Art work for Samba! Samba! Samba! by Paulo Brèves

9. Renato Perez from the album Samba Toff (1964, Chantecler CMG 2272)

10. 5 no Balanço from the album 5 no Balanço (1964, RCA Victor BBL 1266)

11. Manfredo Fest from the album Evolução (1964, RGE XRLP 5236)

  
Art work for Evolução by Tide Hellmeister

12. Os Intocáveis from the album Os Intocáveis (1964, Audio Fidelity AFLP 2004)

  

13. Os Azes da Bossa from the album Sambas em Duas Bossas (1964, Musiplay LPM 1111)

   

14. Os Sambistas da Guanabara from the album Show de Samba Vol. 2 (1964, Odeon MOFB 3388)

  
Art work forShow de Samba Vol. 2 by Moacyr Rocha with photograph by Mafra

15. Paulinho Nogueira from the album A Bossa Nova é Violâo (1964, RGE XRLP 5227)

   Art work for A Bossa Nova é Violâo by Tide Hellmeister

16. André Penazzi from the album Órgão, Samba, Percussão – Vol. 3 (1964, Audio Fidelity DFM 3022)

Art work for Órgão, Samba, Percussão – Vol. 3 by Oscar Costa

17. Walter Wanderley from the album Entre Nós (1964, Philips P 632.197 L)

  

18. Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ‘66 from the album Herb Alpert presents: Sergio Mendes & Brazil ‘66 (1966, A&M Records [USA] SP 4116 and Fermata FB 159)

   
Art work for Herb Alpert presents: Sergio Mendes & Brazil ‘66 by Peter Whorf Graphics

19. Conjunto Jovem Brasa from the album Jovem Brasa Apresenta Samba Jovem (1966, RCA Victor BBL 1365)

20. J.T. Meirelles from the album Brazilian Beat Vol. 2 (1967, London/Odeon LLB 1029)

  

21. Luiz Henrique from the album Barra Limpa (1967, Verve Records [USA] V6-8697)

  

22. Sivuca from the album Bossa Nova (Reprise Records [USA] 12.825)

23. Elza Soares from the album Sambas e Mais Sambas (1970, Odeon MOFB 3646)

24. Maria Creuza from the album Maria Creuza (1977, RGE 303.0044)

25. Jorge Ben from the album Tropical (1977, Philips 6349 326)

Selected Medleys including Mas Que Nada:

1. Zimbo Trio from the album F.M. Stéreo (1974, Philips 6349 109)

2. Rosana Toledo & Pery Ribeiro from the album 100 Anos de Música Popular Brasileira – 6 Projeto Minerva (1975, MEC/Tapecar MPB-1006)

  

Selected recordings of Mas Que Nada originally not issued in Brazil:

1. Oscar Peterson from the album Soul Español (1966, Limelight [USA] LM 82044)

   

2. Rubin Mitchell from the album Presenting Rubin Mitchell (1966, Capitol Records [USA] T-2658)

  

3. Lawrence Welk from the album Winchester Cathedral (1966, Dot Records [USA] DLP 25774)

  

4. Doc Severinsen from the album Swinging & Singing (1966, Command Records [USA] RS 909SD)

   

5. Emily Cranz from the single Más Que Nada b/w Noche Lluviosa en Tokio (1966, Capitol [MEX] EPEM-10111)

6. Dick Hyman from the album Brasilian Impressions (1966, Command Records [USA] RS 911 SD)

  

7. Rozana & Breno Sauer Quarteto from the album Rozana (1966, Discos RVV [MEX] RVV 1107)

   

8. Odell Brown & The Organ-izers from the album Mellow Yellow (1967, Cadet Records [USA] LPS-788)

  
Art work for Mellow Yellow by Tom Gorman with photograph by Edmond Edwards

9. The Brass Choir conducted by Warren Kime from the album Brass Impact (1967, Command Records [USA] RS 910 SD)

   

10. Dizzy Gillespie from the album Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac (1967, Impulse [USA] AS-9149)

11. Tony Hatch from the album Beautiful in the Rain (1967, Pye Records [UK] NSPL 18176)

  

12. Edmundo Ros from the album Strings Latino (1968, London [UK] SP 44107 and Decca PFS 4145)

13. Ronnie Aldrich with The London Festival Orchestra from the album This Way In (1968, London [UK] SP 14416)

14. Pery Ribeiro & Primo Quinteto from the album Pery (1968, Discos RVV [MEX] 111)

   

15. Astrud Gilberto from the album Gilberto Golden Japanese Album (1969, Verve [JAP] MV 2004)

16. Klaus Wunderlich from the album Mr Hammond (1970, Telefunken [GER] TS 3108/1-2)

17. Werner Müller from the album The Latin Splendor of Werner Müller (1970, Decca [UK] PFS.4199)

18. Enoch Light & The Light Brigade from the album Permissive Polyphonics (1970, Project 3 Total Sound [USA] PR 5048 QD)

  

19. Isabelle Aubret from the album Casa Forte (1971, Disques Meys [FRA] 30.006)

20. Ella Fitzgerald from the album Things Ain’t What They Used to be (and You Better Believe it) (1971, Reprise Records [USA] RLP 6432)

  

21. Horst Jankowski from the album Follow Me (1972, Intercord [GER] 28 503-1U)

  

Mas Que Nada performed by Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ’66 with Tom Jones on the TV show This is Tom Jones (1969)

MAS QUE NADA

O ariá raió • Obá obá obá

Mas que nada • Sai da minha frente • Eu quero passar • Pois o samba está animado • O que eu quero é sambar • Esse samba • Que é misto de maracatu • É samba de preto velho • Samba de preto tú

Mas que nada • Um samba como este tão legal • Você não vai querer • Que eu chegue no final

O ariá raió • Obá obá obá

MAS QUE NADA

Ooh, when your eyes meet mine…pow! pow! pow! • Ooh, I could lose my mind…ow! ow! ow!

It’s a feelin’ that things are gonna grow inside me • Til I feel that I’m gonna explode • Ooh, this is what you do to me • Are your lips saying things that you feel in your heart? • If your heart is beating madly, then let the music start

Hold me, hold me • It’s heaven, oh it’s heaven when you hold me • I want you night and day, I want you here to stay

Ooh, when your eyes meet mine…pow! pow! pow! • Ooh, I could lose my mind…ow! ow! ow!

[English lyrics by Norman Gimble]

Song No. 11 — Tim Dom Dom | João Mello & Codó (1963)

Tim Dom Dom was introduced in 1963 by either Carlos Lacerda on his album Um Piano da Bahia, Leda Soares on her self-titled EP, Jorge Ben on his debut album Samba Esquema Novo, or perhaps Lauro Paiva on his eponymous album Tim… Dom… Dom… Num Órgão Moderno com Lauro Paiva. The exact order of the recordings and their releases is unclear, as it is for Codó’s own recording on his album Alma do Mar – O Violão de Codó, which is sometimes given as 1963 as the year of release, although the catalogue number indicates 1964, as Polydor usually released chronologically numbered.

Although a peppy and catchy song, Tim Dom Dom had only brief success in its time before it was finally rediscovered with new recordings in 1997.

While Codó’s own performance is a pared-down accompanied guitar solo, pianists João Donato and Carlos Lacerda offered more jazzy interpretations, the latter giving the song additional strings to accompany his lively performance.

Os Intocáveis, one of those obscure groups that released only one album on which the musicians were not named due to contractual obligations, played their swinging interpretation featuring an excellent baritone saxophonist who remains to be identified.

Sérgio Mendes recorded Tim Dom Dom on his US debut album Brasil ’66, produced by Herb Alpert and featuring vocals by Lani Hall and Janis Hansen—the album that boosted Mendes’s international career with the success of his version of Jorge Ben’s Mas Que Nada.

Perhaps the most famous version was recorded by Jorge Ben on his debut album Samba Esquema Novo, using Tim Dom Dom as a very suitable vehicle for his playful vocal style, backed by Carlos Monteiro de Souza’s band. Maestro Monteiro de Souza himself was the last to record Tim Dom Dom in his heyday, with a contemporary interpretation on his dance album Pra Frente.

My sincere thanks to the Jornal RelevO for publishing this article in their column RelevO presents Brazilliance: The song of the month for the sophisticated connoisseur!

Selected recordings of Tim Dom Dom:

1. Carlos Lacerda from the album Um Piano da Bahia (1963, Audio Fidelity AFLP 1998)

   

2. Jorge Ben from the album Samba Esquema Novo (1963, Philips P 632.161 L)

  
Art work for Samba Esquema Novo by Paulo Brèves with photographs by Mafra

3. Lauro Paiva from the album Tim… Dom… Dom…Num Órgão Moderno com Lauro Paiva (1963, Caravelle LP-CAR 33.003)

   

4. Codó from the album Alma do Mar – O Violão de Codó (1964, Polydor LPNG 4093)

    
Art work for Alma do Mar by Paulo Brèves

5. Os Intocáveis from the album Os Intocáveis (1964, Audio Fidelity AFLP 2004)

   

6. Carlos Penha & Nonato Silva from the EP Carlos Penha & Nonato Silva (1964, Philips 440.635-PT)

7. Luiz Chaves from the album Projeção (1964, RGE XRLP 5233)

  

8. João Donato from the album Muito à Vontade (1964, Polydor LPNG 4085)

   
Art work for Muito à Vontade by Paulo Brèves

9. Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ‘66 from the album Herb Alpert Presents Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ‘66 (1966, A&M Records SP 4116)

   
Artwork for Herb Alpert Presents Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ‘66 by Peter Whorf Graphics

10. Carlos Monteiro de Souza from the album Pra Frente (1968, Parlophone/Odeon PBA 13006)

TIM DOM DOM

Tim, tim, tim, tim —• Faz o tamborim tim, tim, tim •— E o violão faz tim dom —• Batendo igual ao meu coração •— Tim dom dom

Tim, tim, tim, tim •— Faz o tamborim tim, tim, tim •— E o violão faz tim dom •— Batendo igual ao meu coração

Você gostou •— Quando ouviu meu samba, sambou •— Fez a turma toda gostar •— Do seu jeito bom de gingar, de sambar

Tim, tim, tim, tim •— Faz o tamborim tim, tim, tim •— E o violão faz tim dom •— Batendo igual ao meu coração •— Tim dom dom

Tim, tim, tim, tim •— Faz o tamborim tim, tim, tim •— E o violão faz tim dom •— Batendo igual ao meu coração

Você gostou •— Quando ouviu meu samba, sambou •— Fez a turma toda gostar •— Do seu jeito bom de gingar, de sambar

Você gostou •— Quando ouviu meu samba, sambou •— Fez a turma toda gostar •— Do seu jeito bom de gingar, de sambar

Tim, tim, tim, tim •— Faz o tamborim tim, tim, tim •— E o violão faz tim dom •— Batendo igual ao meu coração

Tim, tim, tim, tim •— Faz o tamborim tim, tim, tim •— E o violão faz tim dom •— Batendo igual ao meu coração —• Tim dom dom

No. 14 — Pages 72–73: Turma da Gafieira | Sérgio Mendes | Altivo Penteado aka Garôto

• Guio de Moraes — Gente Que Diz de Balanço
  (1964) Continental PPL 12131
• Orquestra Discastro, Don Bradley, Rubens, Robledo, The Star Boys, Conjunto de Fred & Richard — Grande Baile Nº. 1
  (1965?) Discastro GED-1001
• Carlos Lyra — Bossa Nova
  (1960) Philips P 630.409 L
• Garôto — Garôto + Sexteto
  (1966) Farroupilha LPFA-412
• Dick Farney, Brazilian Jazz Quartet, Tenteto de K-Ximbinho — 2^o Concêrto de Jazz de Camera no Teatro Municipal
  (1960) Prestige DLP 2001
• The Pop’s — The Pop’s
  (1967) Equipe EQ 813
• The Pop’s — Na Base do Iê, Iê, Iê
  (1966) Equipe EQ 811
• Turma da Gafieira — Turma da Gafieira
  (1957) Musidisc Hi-Fi 1
• Chaim Lewak — Para Ouvir Amando N^o. 3
  (c.1961) Som SOLP 40089
• Sérgio Mendes, Bossa Rio — Você Ainda Não Ouviu Nada (1964) Philips P 632.701 L
• Cid Gray — Só Samba Sabendo Sambar
  (1961) Continental LPP 3160

This double-page spread from the book features jazzy sounds by two very different legends: Turma da Gafieira and Sérgio Mendes.

Turma da Gafieira was a highly original all-star band which released only two albums, both in 1957. The cast is not entirely verified, but the debut album Turma da Gafieira probably included João Leal Brito ‘Britinho’ and Paulinho (Paulo Lima de Jesus?) on piano, Zé Bodega on tenor saxophone, Raul de Barros on trombone, Maurílio Santos on trumpet, Altamiro Carrilho on flute, Sivuca on accordion, Nestor Campos on guitar, Jorge Marinho on bass and Édison Machado on drums.

The successor Samba em Hi-Fi probably included João Leal Brito ‘Britinho’ and/or Paulinho (Paulo Lima de Jesus?) on piano, Zé Bodega and Cipó on tenor saxophone, Raul de Souza on trombone, Altamiro Carrilho on flute, Sivuca on accordion, Baden Powell on guitar, an unidentified bass and Édison Machado on drums. While the debut featured only compositions by Altamiro Carrilho, the second album was a mix of sambas and popular songs like Conceição, Cauby Peixoto‘s no. 1 hit of 1956. The groups final release in 1962, titled Melodia… Ritmo… Alegria… Turma da Gafieira, was a compilation of the two albums.

As members of Turma da Gafieira, Édison Machado introduced his ‘samba no pratos’, the samba rhythm using cymbals, while Sivuca sang his scats to the accordion for the first time. Both techniques, although annoying some purists at first, became acclaimed characteristics of these musicians.

Turma da Gafieira’s historical value for Brazil’s popular music is of great importance, since for the first time improvised jazz was recorded to genuine samba rhythms. When bolero, samba-canção, fossa and tango were the dominating styles for ballads, and samba in its many varieties for up-tempo songs, the mixing of jazz improvisations with Brazilian rhythms was way ahead of time. Bossa nova was yet to come, not to mention the subsequent forms of samba-jazz and hard bossa.

Playlist Turma da Gafieira:
1. Samba de Morro (Altamiro Carrilho) from the album Turma da Gafieira (1957)
2. Conceição (Jair Amorim – Valdemar de Abreu ‘Dunga’) from the album Samba em Hi-Fi (1957)
3. Rio Antigo (Altamiro Carrilho) from the album Turma da Gafieira (1957)
4. Meu Sonho é Você (Altamiro Carrilho – Átila Nunes) from the album Turma da Gafieira (1957)
5. Vagabundo (Wilson Batista / Jorge de Castro) from the album Samba em Hi-Fi (1957)

The fabulous artwork of Turma da Gafieira, indicating Vera Regina as the cheerful model, is by Joselito with photograph by Mafra.

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Grande Baile was a lavish series of three box-sets by the mysterious Discastro label, probably released around 1965, and consisting of five albums each with songs that were compiled from previous original albums by various artists, although often credited to fictitious names. This cover is from album no. 1 from box-set no. 1.

   

   

   

The SOM edition of Para Ouvir Amando N^o. 3 is the reissue of the original Copacabana release.

  

The art work for Gente Que Diz de Balanço is by Paulo Brandão.

  

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Sérgio Mendes (*1941) is certainly one of Brazil’s best known musicians since his sixty-year long career emanated internationally from the US. He intended to be a classical pianist but soon became interested in jazz, especially in pianists like Stan Kenton, Horace Silver and Bill Evans.

In 1961, he debuted with his first album Dance Moderno, conducted by Carlos Monteiro de Souza. In 1962, Sérgio Mendes founded his first group, Bossa Rio Sextet, with Paulo Moura on tenor saxophone, Pedro Paulo on cornet, Durval Ferreira on guitar, Octávio Bailly on bass and Dom Um Romão on drums. Bossa Rio Sextet accompanied Julian ‘Cannonball’ Adderley on his album Cannonball’s Bossa Nova, and was part of the legendary ‘Bossa Nova at Carnegie Hall Concert’ in 1962.

For his 1964 album Você Ainda Não Ouviu Nada, the Bossa Rio Sextet was changed to Bossa Rio with Héctor Costita and Aurino Ferreira on tenor saxophone, Raul de Souza and Ed Maciel on trombone, Sebastião Neto on bass and Édison Machado on drums. Você Ainda Não Ouviu Nada is considered a classic, significantly developing bossa nova into samba-jazz.

After that, the Sérgio Mendes Trio was founded with Sebastião Neto on bass and Édison Machado on drums. Inviting Rosinha de Valença on guitar and Dave Pike on vibraphone for the session, the famous album Quiet Nights was recorded in 1963, but kept in the vaults until 1966 when it was released only in the US. With Chico Batera replacing Édison Machado, the Sérgio Mendes Trio recorded the ensuing Bossa Nova York in 1964, with Antônio Carlos Jobim on guitar, Phil Wood on alto saxophone, Art Farmer on fluegelhorn and Hubert Laws on flute. The next year, Sérgio Mendes moved to the US to form Brasil ’65, the first of several successful ‘Brasils’ to come.

Playlist Sérgio Mendes:
1. O Amor em Paz (Antônio Carlos Jobim – Vinícius de Moraes) from the album Você Ainda Não Ouviu Nada (1964)
2. Hô-bá-lá-lá (João Gilberto) from the album Dance Moderno (1961)
3. Quiet Nights (Corcovado) (Antônio Carlos Jobim) from the album Quiet Nights (1963)
4. Vivo Sonhando (Antônio Carlos Jobim) from the album Bossa Nova York (1964)
5. Neurótico (João Theodoro Meirelles) from the album Você Ainda Não Ouviu Nada (1964)

Mas Que Nada performed by Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ’66 with Tom Jones on the TV show This is Tom Jones (1969)

The artwork for Você Ainda Não Ouviu Nada is by Licínio Almeida with photographs by Paulo Namorado.

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The artwork by Maurício for Na Base do Iê, Iê, Iê and The Pop’s features some very fashionable Cuban-healed winklepickers in repetitive layouts.

   

   

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It’s hardly impossible to find out more about vibraphonist, pianist and composer Altivo Penteado aka Garôto except the fact that he played with Dick Farney, Breno Sauer and Os Farroupilhas on some albums, but released only one on his own. In 1966, Garôto + Sexteto was recorded with Fernando Tancredi on tenor saxophone and clarion, Paulo Santos on cornet, Augusto R. Rodrigues on guitar, Gabriel Bahlis on bass and Hamilton A. Lima on drums.

Playlist Garôto:
1. Tristeza de Nós Dois (Durval Ferreira – Maurício Einhorn – Bebeto) from the album Garôto + Sexteto (1966)
2. Samba de Verão (Marcos Valle – Paulo Sergio Valle) from the album Garôto + Sexteto (1966)

The artwork for Garôto + Sexteto is by Antônio Melero ‘Antoninho’.

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