Medley: Prelude in Em -Chopin / Insensatez (ACJ)

Musicology made funny: Insensatez (How Insensitive) Vs. Chopin's prelude in Em: Op28,no4.

Clare Fisher pointed out the weird resemblance between the two works, a resemblance which is demonstrated in this midi file.
I am not saying that Jobim is a little copycat (how could I? Jobim is the greatest, both to my ears and to my heart!).
On the other hand, it is hard to believe that Jobim actually NEVER heard Chopin's Prelude in Em.

O BARQUINHO
(Roberto Menescal & Ronaldo Bôscoli)

This is one of the enigmas of Bossa Nova. HOW can you keep the attention of the audience with a childishly simple harmonic progression?
I believe Jobim was probably one of the most educated of the wild bunch that framed the bossa nova in the early sixties. (Not surprisingly, Jobim has had the best teachers, and that includes one og Arnold Schoenberg's pupils). However, at the other end of the bunch were guys with a smaller musical education but a genuine good taste, such as Roberto Menescal, who penned 'O Barquinho'. Bossa Nova is neither simple nor homogeneous...
Chords are directly used from the Real Book. (Yes, sometime they work!)

PT Lyrics:

Dia de luz, festa do sol
e o barquinho a deslizar
no macio azul do mar
tudo é verão e o amor se faz
num barquinho pelo mar
que desliza sem parar

Sem intenção nossa canção
vai saindo pelo mar e o sol
beija o barco e luz
dias tão azuis

Volta do mar, desmaia o sol
e o barquinho a deslizar
e a vontade de cantar
céu tão azul, ilhas do sul
e o barquinho coração

deslizando na canção

Tudo isso é paz, tudo isso traz
uma calma de verão e então
o barquinho vai e a tardinha cai
e o barquinho vai e a tardinha cai

ENGLISH lyrics:
music by Roberto Menescal
EN words by Buddy Kaye
PT words by Renaldo Boscoli

My little boat is like a note bouncing merrily along,
Hear it splashing up a song.
The sails are white, the sky's brighgt headin' out into the blue
With a crew of two.
Where we can share love's salty air on a little paradise that's afloat, not a care have we in my little boat

The wind is still, we feel the thrill of a voyage heaven bound,
Tho (?) we only drift around.
Warmed by the sun, two hearts as one beating with enchanted
bliss, melting in each other's kiss
When daylight ends and slyly sends little stars to winkle brightly above,
It's goobye to my little boat of love
(Last chorus): Goodbye Little Boat. Goodbye Little Boat.

Source: Aebersold Vol. 31.

Chove Lá Fora

Rare song by Tito Madi.

"Chove Lá Fora" ( = "It's raining outside", I guess)

The chorus is split between four parts; soloing instruments are swapped every eight bars for the theme not to look too tedious).

There is a breathtaking version of "Chove Lá Fora" in "Yo, Maria Creuza", sang by the eponymous lady (1971). In this respect, please find below a set of lyrics:

"A noite está tão fria,
Chove lá fora, ora,
E essa saudade enjoada não vai embora...
Queria compreender porque partiste,
Queria que soubesses como estou triste.
E a chuva continua
Mais forte ainda, inda, inda.
Só Deus pode entender como é infinda
A dor de não saber,
Saber lá fora, onde estás, onde estás,
Com quem estás agora, agora."

All comments, scornful remarks and rotten tomatos should be sent at me (bb1984bb@yahoo.com), so that I can distribute the sickness bags among the listeners. (Thank you!)

ESTE SEUO AMOR

(aka: "That Look You Wear").
Composed by AC Jobim (and it shows!)

Please note the harp is in tune (unlike in real life!).
Guitarists should be well-advised to check out the Jim Hall + Jimmy Raney version (with Zoot Sims)!

Lyrics from Mafrabrasil 's website:

Esse seu olhar
Quando encontra o meu
Fala de umas coisas que eu não posso acreditar

Doce é sonhar
É pensar que você
Gosta de mim como eu de você

Mas a ilusão
Quando se desfaz
Doi no coração de quem sonhou
Sonhou demais

Ah! Se eu pudesse entender
O que dizem os seus olhos.

Although I have never actually heard them anywhere, I have been informed that English lyrics had been written(by Gene Lees) for this tune. Please find them below.

Ah, that look you wear
When you come to me
Promises a million magic things that cannot be
Making it seems
There is hope for my dream
That look you wear let me think you could care
Ah, but then I fear
When illusion dies
You will disappear
And I'll be left
With lonely sighs
If it were only sincere
That look you wear in your eyes.

MARCHA DE 4a feira de Cinzas

(Carlos Lyra (music) & Vinicius de Moraes (lyrics))

Nice version in album "O Poeta e o Violao" recorded in 1975 by Toquinho & Vinicius de Moraes.
Harmonised and played by Charles.

This songs discusses the end of the carnival ("Ashes Wednesday") and the difficulties brought about by the return to normalcy after days and days of festive mood.
All comments, scornful remarks and humiliating insults should be forwarded to me (bb1984bb@yahoo.com), and not to my music teacher. (Thank you!)
All comments welcome.
Enjoy!

Lyrics:

Acabou nosso carnaval
Ninguém ouve cantar canções
Ninguém passa mais brincando feliz
E nos corações saudades e cinzas
Foi o que restou

Pelas ruas o que se vê
É uma gente que nem se vê
Que nem se sorri se beija e se abraça
E sai caminhando dançando e cantando
Cantigas de amor

E no entanto é preciso cantar
Mais que nunca é preciso cantar
É preciso cantar e alegrar a cidade

A tristeza que a gente tem
Qualquer dia vai se acabar
Todos vão sorrir, voltou a esperança
É o povo que dança contente da vida
Feliz a cantar

Porque são tantas coisas azuis
E há tão grandes promessas de luz
Tanto amor para amar e que a gente nem sabe

Quem me dera viver pra ver
E brincar outros carnavais
Com a beleza dos velhos carnavais
Que marchas tão lindas e o povo cantando
Seu canto de paz

OUTRA VEZ

Outra Vez ("Another Time" or "Once Again")

Obviously harmonically very close to Gershwin's "I've Got a Crush on You" ?...
One of othese so typicaly Jobinian themes, extremely long and complex. Very difficult to master, with abnormal harmonic sequences and unpredictable sequences.
Harmonies are derived from Jobim official songbook (simplified, I confess)
To whom it may concern, there is a nice version of this song of Stan Getz/ Laurindo Almeida album (Verve).

LYRICS:

Outra vez
Sem você
Outra vez, sem amor
Outra vez
Vou sofrer
Vou chorar
Até você voltar
Outra vez
Vou vagar
Por aí
Pra esquecer
Outra vez
Vou falar
Mal do mundo
Até você voltar

Todo mundo me pergunta
Porque ando triste assim
Ninguém sabe o que é que eu sinto
Com você longe de mim
Vejo o sol quando ele sai
Vejo a chuva quando cai
Tudo agora é só tristeza
Traz saudade de você

Outra vez
Sem você
Outra vez
Sem amor
Outra vez
Vou falar mal do mundo
Até você voltar
Até você volta

Antonio Carlos Jobim

Melody extracted from midi file (downloaded from midibrazilian music) and arrangement by yours truly.

LYRICS (PORTUGUESE VERSION) from version "Inédito"

------------------------------------------
* Minha alma canta
Vejo o Rio de Janeiro

* Estou morrendo de saudade
Rio, teu mar, praias sem fim
Rio, você foi feito pra mim
------------------------------------------

* Cristo Redentor
Braços abertos sobre a Guanabara
* Este samba é só porque
Rio, eu gosto de você
A morena vai sambar
Seu corpo todo balançar

Rio de sol, de céu, de mar
Dentro de mais um minuto estaremos no Galeão
Rio de Janeiro,
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro,
Rio de Janeiro

------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
(interlude instrumental)
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------

* Cristo Redentor
Braços abertos sobre a Guanabara

* Este samba é só porque
Rio, eu gosto de você
A morena vai sambar
Seu corpo todo balançar

------------------------------------------

Aperte o cinto, vamos chegar
Água brilhando, olha a pista chegando
E vamos nós
Aterrar

Song of the jet (Samba do aviao) (ENGLISH VERSION)

Antonio Carlos Jobim ( English lyrics by Gene Lees)

How my heart is singing
I see Rio de Janeiro
My lonely longing days are ending
Rio, my love, there by the sea
Rio, my love, waiting for me
See the cable cars
That sway above the bay of Guanabara
Tiny sailboats far below dance the samba as they go
Shinning Rio there you lie
City of sand and sea and sky
Mountains of green rising so high
Four minutes more we'll be there at the airport of Galeão
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
Statue of the saviour with open arms above the yellow sea shore
Suggar loaf in majesty climbing from the silver sea
Darkeyed girls who smile at me
City of love and mysteries
Fasten seat belts
No smoking please
Now we're descending and everything rushing
And now the sheels
Touch the ground

Tarde em Itapoa (V. de Moraes - Toquinho).

Melody ripped (with qualms) from midi file located in "midibrazilianmusic" website.
The jazz-addicts of you may find the phrasing of the clarinet a notch too classical.
Even in your craziest dreams, you could hardly find more typically Brazilian than these lyrics! Brazillianissimo!!!

LYRICS:

Um velho calção de banho, o dia prá vadiar
Um mar que não tem tamanho, e um arco-íris no ar
Depois na praça Caymmi sentir preguiça no
Corpo numa esteira devime beber uma água de coco

É bom, passar uma tarde em Itapoã
Ao sol que arde em Itapoã, ouvindo o
mar de Itapoã
Falar de amor, Itapoã

Enquanto o mar inaugura um verde novinho em folha
Argumentar com doçura com uma cachaça de rolha
E com o olhar esquecido no encontro de céu e mar
Bem devagar ir sentindo a Terra toda rodar

Depois sentir o arrepio do vento que a noite traz
E o diz-que-diz que macio que brota dos coqueirais
E nos espaços serenos, sem ontem nem amanhã
Dormir nos braços morenos da lua de Itapoã

Lyrics source: South Florida Univ.

TRISTE

I did not make this file, especially not the intro (Alas!). I received it from a friend, Mr. Cldx, whom I thank again.
However, the file and its unknown author, are SO GOOD that I could not help spreading the news to Fred.
Let the author make himself known to me, Charles, at bb1984bb@yahoo.com (There will always be a cold beer for him at my place: when you hear his rendition, you will doubtlessly agree that he indeed deserves it).
Lyrics are enclosed in both languages.

PT Lyrics:

Triste é viver na solidão
Na dor cruel de uma paixão
Triste é saber que ninguém
Pode viver de ilusão
Que nunca vai ser nunca vai dar
O sonhador tem que acordar
Tua beleza é um avião
Demais prum pobre coração
Que pára pra te ver passar
Só pra me maltratar
Triste é viver na solidão

ENGLISH LYRICS

Sad is to live in solitude
Far from your tranquil altitude
Sad is to know that no one ever can live on a dream
That never will be, will never be
Dreamer awake, wake up and see
Your beauty is an aeroplane
So high, my heart can't bear the strain
A heart that stops when you pass by only to cause me pain
Sad is to live in solitude

O Grande Amor (Antonio Carlos Jobim / Vinicius de Moraes)

Original lyrics are enclosed, with a rough French translation.
A pretty impressive version of this tune was recorded by Stan Getz in 1963 (in the ever-popular "Getz/Gilberto" album, published with Verve). In the mid-sixties, oddly enough, although Getz said he was then fed up with bossa nova and keen to return to the idiosyncracy of the jazz idiom, he recorded it again, this time with a genuine jazz group (cf "Sweet Rain", with Chick Corea, Verve 1967). And he had done it again, in 1966, in his triumphant return to jazz ("The Stan Getz 4tet in Paris", with Gary Burton). The latter did not forget the song since he eventually recorded a fresh version in a brilliant duet with Makoto Ozone (1994, "Face to Face", GRP Records). And I remember that Getz was still playing this tune in 1980, during the Nice jazz festival.
Now I have a question for you: When you are fed up with a particular kind of music, and when you still play that thing, what does it mean ? It means EITHER that the public "demands" that specific song (an unlikely scenario in the case of Getz) OR that the song is an EXTREMELY powerful springboard for your creativity. (I tend to prefer the second explanation.)

Haja o que houver
Quoi qu'il arrive
Há sempre um homem para uma mulher
Il y a tjrs un homme pour une femme
E há - de sempre haver
et il y en aura toujours
Para esquecer um falso amor
pour oublier un faux amour
E uma vontade de morrer
Et un désir de mourir
Seja como for
Quoi qu'il en soit
Há - de vencer o grande amor
Le grand amour vaincra
Que há - de ser no coração
Qui sera pour le coeur
Como um perdão pra quem chorou
Comme un pardon ( adressé à) pour celui qui a pleuré

Manha de Carnaval

Musicians who grab some scores from the Web should be advised that this song is a little nightmare in itself.
Its original title is "Mahna de Carnaval". So the Americans, always keen to learn foreign languages, immediately re-titled it as "Morning of the Carnival". So that makes already TWO titles to type in your favourite search engine. WAIT! It is not over!!
Althouh the original lyrics were quite convincing, the American audience was given an entirely different set of lyrics, with an also completley different title (while both the harmony and the chords remained exactly the same): "A day in the life of a fool".
You think it's over ? Wrong! Someone figured out that, after all, the song had been written for Marcel Camus' film "Orfeu Negro" (Camus was awarded the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film festival, in the late fifties; and, indeed, the film is not a complete artistic failure....). It must be borne in mind that this film is actually another version of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, transposed in a slump around Rio. So, since the main character was a coloured actor, why not call the song "Black Orpheus", huh ? It is indeed under that title that the song is featured on the "Bible" of jazzmen (the so called "Real Book").
Now will you accept that "Orpheus" may quickly be tweaked into "Orpheo" if the musicians wants to "sound" latin? And once you 've got to "Orpheo", why not go to "Orfeo"? Unless you prefer to spell it "Orfeu" (with an 'f"), or "Orpheu" (with 'eu'?
Good. Now if you have typed all these queries in your search-engine, where do you find the time to PLAY it ???
(Such are the notorious joys of popular music. If you want to avoid this kind of problems, just stick to Beethoven's "Fuer Elise", OK?)

ORIGINAL PT LYRICS (WITH EN TRANSLATION)
Luiz Bonfã - Antonio Maria
(lyrics translated by Jason Brazile)

Manha tão bonita manhã

Morning, such a beautiful morning
Na vida uma nova canção

In life there is a new song

Cantando só teus olhos,

It sings only of your eyes,
teu riso, e tuas mãos

your smile, and your hands

Pois há de haver um dia

Then there will be a day
em que virás

when you will see

Das cordas do meu violão

From the chords of my guitar
que só teu amor procurou

that seeked only your love

Vem uma voz

There comes a voice
falar dos beijos

to speak of the kisses
perdidos nos lábios teus

lost in your lips

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FOOL

(Luiz Bonfa -music-; Carl Sigman -EN lyrics-)

A day in the life of a fool
A sad and a long lonely day
I walk the avenue
And hope I'll run into
The welcome sight of you
Coming my way

I stop just across from your door
But you're never home any more
So back to my room
And there in the gloom
I cry tears of good bye

(That's the way it will be every day in the life of fool)

Insensatez (Antonio Carlos Jobim / Vinicius de Moraes)

Insensatez (or "How Insensitive") is featured somewhere else on this page, in relation to Jobim's "addiction" to Chopin. But this is a different version.
My favourite rendition is -weirdly enough- not attributable to a jazzman but to a pop singer (Sinead O'Connor; "Am I not your Girl?"), backed by a sumptuous instrumental arrangement. Sting has also sung it. This is to say how universal bossa nova has become over the last forty years.

LYRICS:

PORT. VERSION:

A insensatez que você fez
Coração mais sem cuidado
Fez chorar de dor
O seu amor
Um amor tão delicado
Ah, porque você foi fraco assim
Assim tão desalmado
Ah, meu coração quem nunca amou
Não merece ser amado

Vai meu coração ouve a razão
Usa só sinceridade
Quem semeia vento, diz a razão
Colhe sempre tempestade
Vai, meu coração pede perdão
Perdão apaixonado
Vai porque quem não
Pede perdão
Não é nunca perdoado

ENGL. VERSION (Lyrics by Gene Lees)

How insensitive I must have seemed
When she told me that she loved me
How unmoved and cold
I must have seemed
When she told me so sincerely
Why? She must have asked
Did I just turn and stare in icy silence?
What was I to say
What can you say
When a love affair is over

Now she's gone away
And I'm alone
With a memory of her last look
Vague and drawn and sad
I see it still
All her heartbreak in that last look
How, she must have asked
Could I just turn and stare in icy silence
What was I to do
What can you do
When a love affair is over