Released in 1970, ‘Foi Um Rio Que Passou Em Minha Vida’, Paulinho’s second album, became a masterpiece of Brazilian culture
Paulinho da Viola came from a consecrating victory at the Festival da Record, in 1969, with “Closed sign”. “The greatest justice done in music festivals in Brazil”, as he would define Zuza Homem de Mello, decades later. The music, arranged by the conductor Gaya (1921-1987) and political reading of the climate of the lead years, was not like anything that Paulinho da Viola had done before and was released as a double single.
But “Closed signended up being swallowed by one of her B-sides: “It Was A River That Passed In My Life”, a smoothly syncopated samba in which, naturally, the syllables sung by Paulinho anticipate the strong weather a little. The quality of the recording helped, capturing the authentic atmosphere of a circle, with the famous “oh, however” by one of the singers, George (hereinafter renamed as Jorge But). In a short time, samba de amor à Portela would begin its journey towards the pantheon of masterpieces of popular culture.
Initially successful in the Oswaldo Cruz neighborhood, in Rio, the song helped Paulinho to overcome a tight skirt of alleged betrayal of the school, imposed by the launch of “I don’t know, hose“, partnership with Herminio Bello de Carvalho what Elza Soares defended in another Record Festival, in 1968.It Was A River That Passed In My Life” ended up being chosen by Portela to open the works, when its delegation was received by the governor of Guanabara, Negrão de Limain honor of the title won on the avenue in 1970.
The second LP of Paulinho da Violawhich at this point could only be called It Was A River That Passed In My Life, was released in June, with enthusiastic reviews, on the basis of “the most serious thing that has been done in six months of Brazilian music”. Two years after the solo debut, and with much more morals, Paulinho achieved a better balance between his musical conceptions and the conductor’s contributions Lindolfo Gaya.
With less intrusive orchestrations in the arrangements, the minimalist approach of some tracks generates wonders, such as the almost bossa nova reinterpretation of “My sin”, masterpiece of the godfather Zé KétiIt is “Nothing new”, pearl of enlightened heartbreak that even today embellishes the setlists of Paulinho.
In the equally suffered classic “Everything Has Changed”, the arrangement treads a middle path between post-bossanovism and the identity of Paulinhowhich is repeated in oscillating calibrations, either in the opening range “Not To Contradict You”, or in the last one, “I don’t want you like this”, who wins a grand finale orchestral.
But one of the trump cards of the LP is the informality portrayed in tracks like “swear with tears”, commanded by the choir and with the sound of a schoolyard. In “I’m Tagged”, the recorder captures the tempo adjustments in the batucada – “Go a little faster. Not like that, not like that! It’s too much”.
And there is no lack of a jewel to be rediscovered, “Bullshit”, mischievous message from Paulinho about the dictatorship’s informants who infested the artistic milieu and the samba circles: “Look, be careful with that guy over there, what does he hand over, huh? The guy next to you delivers everything.”
It Was A River That Passed In My Life (1970) is one of the albums reviewed in the 80 Years of Music Special, an exclusive edition of Rolling Stone Brazil dedicated to the 1942 Generation, which brings together essential names in MPB, such as Gilberto Gil, Milton NascimentoCaetano Veloso and himself Paulinho da Viola. On the physical and digital newsstands, the special also brings a global overview of the artists born in this period. Click here to learn more. Listen to the full album below:
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
