Album: Via Brasil, Vol. 1

Song Title

Time

Samba de Orly

Jorge Ben Medley

At‚ Quem Sabe

Abre Alas

Fio Maravilha

Cruz, A

Aguas de Mar‡o

Bedeu

Nao Tem Perdao

10)

Via Brasil Medley

Album: Via Brasil, Vol. 1

Song Title

Time

Samba de Orly

Jorge Ben Medley

At‚ Quem Sabe

Abre Alas

Fio Maravilha

Cruz, A

Aguas de Mar‡o

Bedeu

Nao Tem Perdao

10)

Via Brasil Medley

Performer Notes

This rare album from singer/pianist Tƒnia Maria, backed by bassist H‚lio and drummer Boto, documents that in the mid-'70s, the swinging samba-jazz interpreter was already developed -- even if still closely emulating Elis Regina. The album opens with the heavy pounding of "Samba de Orly" (Vin¡cius de Moraes/Chico Buarque de Hollanda), and the same atmosphere follows with a Jorge Ben medley, giving room to the lyrical "At‚ Quem Sabe" (Lysias Enio/Joao Donato). "Abre Alas" traces very closely Elis Regina's take. Another Ben classic, "Fio Maravilha" (which was written in homage to the celebrated soccer player Fio, from Botafogo, who later sued Ben for using his name, which is the reason why this song is currently interpreted as "Filho Maravilha") restores that heavy swing. "Aguas de Mar‡o" (Tom Jobim), in which a mild samba arrangement (as opposed to the usual bossa nova rendition) backs her interpretation, is profoundly indebted to Elis Regina. Another sensitive moment is brought by "Nao Tem Perdao" (Ronaldo Monteiro de Souza/Ivan Lins), the vehicle for one of her solos coupling the piano with her voice. The album closes with a medley of "Nao Poe a Mao" (P‚ricles Simoes Mutt/Arn“ Canegal/B. Moreira), "Arrasta a Sand lia" (Osvaldo Vasques/Aur‚lio Gomes), "Aquarela do Brasil" (Ary Barroso), the marchinha "Nega do Cabelo Duro" (Rubens Soares/David Nasser), "Maracangalha" (Dorival Caymmi), all transformed into a heavy samba. An appealing record for samba-jazz and Tƒnia Maria fans. ~ Alvaro Neder

Professional Reviews

JazzTimes (p.132) - "Tania Maria graces us with a fabulously energetic and raw collection of exquisite tunes and gives her talented all to every one."