Enciclopedia Musical Brasileira

AMG Review of Enciclopedia Musical Brasileira

Alvaro Neder
All Music Guide

A compilation of several albums by Tom Zé. From his first solo LP, Tom Zé, through Rozemblit, in 1968, are the songs "Săo Săo Paulo" (a declaration of love and hate to the frenetic city of Săo Paulo, where he chose to live. With that song he had a rare moment of popularity, winning the IV FMPB from TV Record, Săo Paulo) and "Namorinho de Portăo" (where he makes fun of the "good straight guys"). From the 1972 Tom Zé on Continental, reissued in 1984 as Se O Caso É Chorar, are "Vai (Menina, Amanhă de Manhă)" (a samba, in his personal reading that also brings elements of baiăo), "Senhor Cidadăo" (with the participation of the concrete poet Augusto de Campos reading his short poem "Cidades," it has a congregation repeating his words in a pray-like setting. The lyrics deal with citizenship, racism and violence), the samba "A Babá," "O Sândalo" (catchy baiăo in which he discusses hypocrisy and conscience), and "Se O Caso É Chorar" (chamber-like delicate arrangement with bassoon, piano, flute in the A part that melts in a delicious violăo/bass/drums mild samba in the bridge). "Todos Os Olhos" (a samba that talks about being watched and judged) and "Augusta, Angélica E Consolaçăo" (names of important streets of Săo Paulo that serve splendidly to word games of ambiguous meanings) are from the 1973's Todos Os Olhos on Continental. From 1976's Estudando O Samba, also on Continental, (the album that drew David Byrne's attention over his work) are "Tô" (which explores relationships between antagonists), "A Felicidade" (re-recording of the classic by Tom Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes, in a 6/8 backing, which provides interesting and restless contrast with the 4/4 melody, with glimpses of vanguard orchestrations), "Mă" (samba with influences of sorcery rituals and erudite music), and "Măe (Măe Solteira)" (a samba that deals with the hardships of an unmarried mother). "Correio Da Estaçăo Do Brás" is a coco embolado from 1978's Correio Da Estaçăo Do Brás on Continental.