AQUARELA DO BRASIL

Created on 14/07/2002
Latest update on 20/10/2023

Artist: Francisco Alves
Author: Ary Barroso
Label: Odeon Brasil
Year: 1939

Unsuccessfully introduced by Aracy Cortes in Rio's Teatro Recreio in the revue Entra Na Faixa. Song relaunched in revue Joujoux E Balangandãs with bariton Candido Botelho. First recording was on Francisco 'Chico' Alves, "O Rei Da Voz", with Radamés Gnattali's orchestra, a 6 minute version, smeared over A- and B-side of a 78 RPM.

Covers:

1940:

Silvio Caldas [second recording; picked up by Walt Disney while in Belem, requesting a Brazilian song from the hotel band; the seed for animation film Saludos Amigos]

1940:

Pedro Vargas [in Brazilian film Laranja-da-China, also featuring Carmen Miranda and Francisco Alves]

1941:

Xavier Cugat [vocal: La Chata; later n°2 US]

1941:

Eddy Duchin [as Brazil; first English version with lyrics by S.K. Russell (vocal: Tony Leonard)]

1942:

Aloysio de Oliveira [idem; in Disney animation film Saludos Amigos, dubbing for Zé Carioca]

1942:

Jimmy Dorsey [idem; vocals: : Bob Eberly & Helen O'Connell]

1943:

Carmen Miranda [in film The Gang's All Here]

1944:

Ary Barroso [in film Brazil]

1947:

Desi Arnaz

1948:

Les Paul

1954:

Caterina Valente

1956:

Carmen Cavallaro [idem in film The Eddy Duchin Story]

1956:

Coasters

1957:

Frank Sinatra

1958:

Yusef Lateef [idem]

1958:

Bing Crosby & Rosemary Clooney [idem]

1960:

Ray Conniff [idem]

1960s:

João Gilberto [definitive Brazilian version; regarded as their Song of the 20th Century; many re-cuts followed]

1961:

Edmundo Ros [as Brazil]

1963:

Paul Anka [idem]

1968:

Geoff & Maria Muldaur [in '68 used in Terry Gilliams film Brazil]

1969:

Toots Thielemans & Elis Regina [as Brazil (Aquarela Do Brasil), title track lp saved up for after Elis' funeral in '82]

1970:

Antonio Carlos Jobim

1974:

Gato Barbieri [as Brasil]

1975:

Elis Regina

1975:

Ritchie Family [als Brazil]

1975:

Chet Atkins [idem]

1977:

Chris de Burgh [idem]

1980:

Gal Costa

1980:

Art Pepper

1981:

Tav Falco

1981:

Barney Kessel

1985:

Kate Bush

1991:

Milton Nascimento [as Brasil]

1991:

Mel Tormé [as Brazil]

1992:

Michael Nesmith [idem]

1993:

Carlos Santana [idem]

1994:

Placido Domingo [as Brasil]

1994:

Dionne Warwick [as Brazil]

1996:

Asylum Street Spankers [idem]

1998:

Vengaboys [and in '14 as 2 Brazil]

2003:

Think Of One [in Maconha Do Brasil]

2005:

Arcade Fire [B-side of Rebellion (Lies)]

Ary Barroso (1903-1964) was a lawyer, pianist, politician, DJ, sports announcer and writer. Born in the jungle of the Minas Gerais province, died an alcoholic. Also wrote: Na Baixa Do Sapateiro (better known as Bahia), Faixa De Cetim and Camisa Amarela (see there).

Contact


If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:

Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)

info@originals.be

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