Let's Get Stuck Into Berimbaus

[eine]

A Naná Vasconcelos track came onto my I-Pod this morning, and then I listened to babycart's 2011 CD with Jose Barrense Dias – Do Nordeste Ao Amazonas on it (heavy berimbau action).

So today must be a berimbau day. Can anyone help build it up with further recommendations?

[babycart]

This was my first exposure to the mighty berimbau on the Blue Brazil lp

[alanmck]

well, for covers of the song itself, try

Mandrake Som with heavy berimbau action at the start...

Dion & The Belmonts : no berimbau on it, but wonderful harmonies and a knock-out arrangement

Kenny Rankin beautiful acoustic guitar, subtle keys, builds and builds. and an English translation...

[alanmck]

how could i forget the monstrous version by

JAYME MARQUES

A PROPER FLOATY BUILDER AND NO MISTAKE.

[Ian Townsend]

KENNY RANKIN BERIMBAU MELTS MY FACE OFF.

*spare of Silver Morning moved to the Eine pile*

[babycart]

I like Maysa´s stark, modernist big band version of Berimbau

No berimbaus, but a funky Berimbau quote

No berimbaus but a jazzy Berimbau quote

[toby.d]

Killer version by the Brazilian brothers. I can't hear a berimbau but I'm not really familiar with this instrument.

[Brainbomb]

Okay Temiz Turkish berimbau groove:

[Rich Hero]

One of the first records I ever bought from a junk shop was 'Berimbau E Percussão' by Papete.



'Maracá' is my favourite track, although I'm not sure I recognise any berimba on it so here's 'A Ova' instead.

[Sonovox]

Antonio Carlos Jobim, this one off the "Love, Strings and Jobim" album.

[eine]

ALL of these are brilliant. Thanks. This has been a happy day.

*spare of Silver Morning moved to the Eine pile*

[babycart]

A few years ago I used to drop my kid off at swimming and had to hang around the sports centre waiting for an hour. Watching kids plough up and down a pool is no fun at all so i went exploring and came across the capoeira group.
It was brilliant. they had two decent berimbau players, but everyone used to have a go, and they´d do the songs and chants as well. I went to a couple of their tournaments with visiting groups and still sometimes stick my head in on the kids group that got set up near my home a bit later.
I went to a tournament and saw a couple of bouts between experienced dancers that really started to get aggressive, with blows landing, tempers rising and a sudden real sense of danger.
The Baden Powell track on that swap Cd I did (Ferro de Pasar) is a variation on Berimbau and is the best evocation of capoeira that I´ve heard, full of fury and whirling skill .

[jam]

How about a bit of Santa aka Sivuca?

[babycart]

That Sivuca TV clip is fantastic.

Here´s a berimbau meeting the Bond bassline in your local charity shop

Can´t really do all these versions without posting the original recording of Berimbau, which I reckon is one of the very best. Vinicius' lyrics are always great.

A good man does not betray
The love that wants the best for him.

He who always says he will go does not go;
And as he never goes, he never arrives.

He who does not know himself
Will die having loved no one.

The money of he who does not give
Is the work of the he who does not have.

A good capoeirista never falls,
But if one day he falls, he falls well.

Capoeira makes me say I have already arrived,
And have arrived to fight.

The berimbau promises me
It will have a lovers quarrel.
Such sadness, my friend.