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:
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]
Pedro Vargas [in Brazilian film Laranja-da-China, also featuring Carmen Miranda and Francisco Alves]
Xavier Cugat [vocal: La Chata; later n°2 US]
Eddy Duchin [as Brazil; first English version with lyrics by S.K. Russell (vocal: Tony Leonard)]
Aloysio de Oliveira [idem; in Disney animation film Saludos Amigos, dubbing for Zé Carioca]
Jimmy Dorsey [idem; vocals: : Bob Eberly & Helen O'Connell]
Carmen Miranda [in film The Gang's All Here]
Ary Barroso [in film Brazil]
Carmen Cavallaro [idem in film The Eddy Duchin Story]
Yusef Lateef [idem]
Ray Conniff [idem]
João Gilberto [definitive Brazilian version; regarded as their Song of the 20th Century; many re-cuts followed]
Edmundo Ros [as Brazil]
Paul Anka [idem]
Geoff & Maria Muldaur [in '68 used in Terry Gilliams film Brazil]
Toots Thielemans & Elis Regina [as Brazil (Aquarela Do Brasil), title track lp saved up for after Elis' funeral in '82]
Gato Barbieri [as Brasil]
Ritchie Family [als Brazil]
Chet Atkins [idem]
Chris de Burgh [idem]
Milton Nascimento [as Brasil]
Mel Tormé [as Brazil]
Michael Nesmith [idem]
Carlos Santana [idem]
Placido Domingo [as Brasil]
Dionne Warwick [as Brazil]
Asylum Street Spankers [idem]
Vengaboys [and in '14 as 2 Brazil]
Think Of One [in Maconha Do Brasil]
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).
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)