40 Year Itch: A Gem from the Afro-Brazilian Capital

Gal Costa : Vatapa

[Out of Print]

   In possession of what may be the most beautiful voice in the world, Gal Costa went old school on her 1976 album by singing the songs of Dorival Caymmi, the grandfather of Brazil's Bahia-flavored bossa nova sound. It was a sixteen year old Caymmi who gave Carmen Miranda her legendary hit "O Que É Que A Baiana Tem?"("What Is It About Bahian Women?") in 1939. On Gal Canta Caymmi, the songs range from slow to fast but are never anything less than Fantásticas! Fantásticas! Fantásticas!!!! 

40 Year Itch : Brazil '74

If you need a mood enhancer, here's some instant joy courtesy of the glorious Brazilian artists of 1974. 

Rolling Stone ranked this the 6th greatest Brazilian album of all time. It's a trippy album even if you don't understand the lyrics ( about dancing, about aliens, about philosphy etc.) The must-own of the albums in this post.

To these ears, this is a return to the infectious, heavy strumming sounds after the disappointing Novos Baianos FC. This is the final album made with founder Moraes Moreira. If this blog does nothing else it should convince you to buy 1972's brilliant Acabou Chorare.

Album #2 from Secos and Molhados features more dramatic music and the high pitched, womanly, counter-tenor voice of Ney Matogrosso. Is this better than the debut? A common debate among Brazilian music fans. 

Brazilian folk with touches of psychedelia. Beautifully arranged.

Beautiful tunes from the sensual songstress Gal Costa. You won't be able to get "Barato Total" out of your head. 

Samba legend Martinho Da Vila sings about the joy of song in the title cut from Canta, Canta Minha Gente:

Sing, sing, my people, let go of the sadness

 Sing strong, sing loud, cause life is going to get better

Brazilian vocalist Elis Regina makes a lifelong dream come true, recording an album of Tom Jobim songs with their writer, Tom Jobim, in Los Angeles. The sessions on this classic album must have been pure joy . You can hear Elis smiling widely and nearly laughing on "Águas De Março (Waters Of March)". 

The Father of Brazilian Rock , Raul Seixas borrows the Rolling Stones melody from "No Expectations" for one of his biggest hits, the title cut from an album that sold 600,000 copies in Brazil.

40 Year Itch: 1973's Sexiest Album Covers

[Purchase]

Two years before they rescued Fleetwood Mac, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks released the poor selling but wonderful sounding Buckingham Nicks. The album has yet to be released on CD.

 

As you can imagine outtakes from the album cover shoot are surprisingly popular for an album that failed to chart.

JACKSON HEIGHTS BUMP 'N' GRIND

Formed in the UK by former Nice bass player and vocalist Lee Jackson, Jackson Heights suffered poor sales despite the band's very approachable progressive rock sounds. 

Their fourth and final album is best remembered for its widely celebrated album cover.

JANE BIRKIN DI DOO DAH

[Purchase]

The same year she played Brigette Bardot's lover in Don Juan 1973, Jane Birkin released  her Serge Gainsbourg produced debut Di Doo Dah. Anyone who has heard her breathy vocals on Gainsbourg's classic Histoire de Melody Nelson must at least be curious. The video below is shot on a topless beach.

GAL COSTA: INDIA

One of the leaders of Brazil's Tropicalism sounds, Gal Costa 's esoteric 1973 album India was immediately banned thanks to the album cover which appears to be focused on her...um. The back cover is just as salacious.

O'DONEL LEVY EVERYTHING I DO GONNA BE FUNKY

Jazz guitarist O'Donel Levy tries to grab the uh...jazz crossover market with this funky album on which he covers Stevie Wonder, Billy Preston and an uncredited Allen Toussaint. Fans came for the ass but stuck around for the funk.

                                                               GASOLIN' 3

The Danish Beatles, Gasolin' recorded some of Denmark's top selling albums in the 70's, including the English language Gasolin' 3 which features a woman in distress. Will you be the lucky guy to save her day?