Play it: Tom Zé Estudando O Samba (1975)
"I don't make art, I make spoken and sung journalism."
- Tom Zé


Both Estudando o Pagode and Estudando o Samba deconstruct the Samba, leaving it as an underlying base for the experimentation and word-play to dance around. Pagode is a Brazilian variant of Samba that mixes African rhythms, and was born in the Rio de Janeiro region as a form of improvisation for Samba musicians to jam to and became a street-based dance music that is was (and is) wrapped in machismo. Into the traditional pagode, Zé mixes rock, hip-hop and his own experimental sounds - he invented a wind instrument for this that's made from the leaf of a ficus tree. Lyrically, the story centers around a man who tries to find his way in the modern world, but keeps falling back on traditional patriarchal (ie, woman-opressing) ways, so 's use of this musical mix is very key to the whole of the piece. It's a lot to get your mind around, but even without the background, the music is in and of itself unique and enjoyable to listen to. That's the kind of music I love, enjoyable - yet challenging, and Zé's got it down with this release.
Staying on the tropicalia front, I just purchased my tix to see Os Mutantes when they come to town July 26th. I'm so excited I can barely contain myself!
Previously:
Everything is possible! (Os Mutantes tour)
What Kurt Cobain couldn't do (Os Mutantes reunite, Tecnicolor album review)
tags: playlist, music, brazil, tom ze, tropicalia, tropicalismo, pagode
2 comments:
Tom Zé Estudando o Pagode
1. Ave Dor Maria
2. Estupido Rapaz
3. Proposta De Amor
4. Quero Pensar (A Muhler De Bath)
5. Muhler Navio Negreiro
6. Pagode-Enredo Dos Tempos Do Medo
7. Cancao De Nora (Casa De Bonecas)
8. O Amor E Um Rock
9. Duas Opinioes
10. Elaeu
11. Vibracao Da Carne
12. Para La Do Para
13. Prazer Carnal
14. Teatro (Dom Quixote)
15. A Volta Do Trem Das Onze (8.5 Milhoes De km2)
16. Beatles A Granel
Tom Zé Estudando O Samba
1. Mã
2. A Felicidade
3. Toc
4. Tô
5. Vai (Menina Amanhã De Manhã)
6. Ui! (Você Inventa)
7. Doi
8. Mãe (Mãe Solteria)*
9. Hein
10. Só (Solidão)
11. Se*
12. Índice*
*not currently in Rhapsody
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