Favourite Sambas

My father lead and played in a carnival band for more than 30 years and most of the time, this band rehearsed at our home. They played in clubs for the four nights of carnival parties and the weeks that preceded them. Outside Carnival time, the band played in many other parties during the year. It was in this band that I also started to learn and play music. I grew up with sambas and my friends used to say that I have a samba for every moment of life. Selecting 10 favourite sambas is a really difficult task and this is in no way a definitive list. Perhaps I would make a different one next week. Also, it is a selection much more based in feelings than in rational criteria. One thing I am sure, who listen to them will be not disappointed.

by Vinicius Mariano de Carvalho

1. Esperanças Perdidas – by Originais do Samba

The group Originais do Samba was created in Rio de Janeiro in the 1960’s with percussionists of Schools dos Samba. In its first formation the great ‘Mussum’ – well known comedian in Brazil - was a sort of spirit of the group. The samba “Esperanças Perdidas” is a melodic revelation with a poetical lyric that celebrates the power of samba.

2. Vou Festejar – Beth Carvalho

Beth Carvalho is one of the great names of the Brazilian samba and ‘Vou Festejar’, composed in partnership with Jorge Aragão, Dida e Neoci Dias, in 1978, became a hit in her career. A revigorating music, festive and unforgettable.

3. O Pequeno Burguês – Martinho da Vila

This samba is a sort of chronicle about the life of those from poor background who struggled to get university education, a familiar history for many Brazilians. Martinho da Vila translates this situation with a remarkable social criticism in a melodious samba.

4. Menino Deus – Mauro Duarte e Paulo Cesar Pinheiro (recorded by Clara Nunes)

It is difficult to say if you have here a samba or a religious song. Perhaps both at the same time. In an enchanting melody, this song could be called a Brazilian Christmas carol in samba.

5. Porto Aberta – Luiz Ayrão

This samba from 1973 is a homage that Luiz Ayrão pays to Portela, his Samba School. Before Porta Aberta, he had composed more songs, but the success of this one led Odeon to label his first LP album. He is also the composer of “Um Lencinho”, another classic of the sambas.

6. Na baixa do Sapateiro – Ary Barroso

Ary Barroso became more famous for his “Aquarela do Brasil”, eternalized in the Walt Disney films, however, in my opinion “Na baixa do sapateiro” one can see his geniality as composer. The rhythmic cell is unique and the melody gorgeous.

7. Triangulo Amoroso – Nelson Sargento

The best example of a sambista from Mangueira (the famous Samba School from Rio de Janeiro) and the best love declaration for this samba school, “Triangulo Amoroso” is at the same time ironic and lyric.

8. As Rosas Não falam – Cartola

Cartola is celebrated as one of the most poetical voices of samba from Rio de Janeiro. The combination of sadness and love in his lyrics are unique and his musical creativity incomparable. “As Rosas não falam” is undoubtedly one of the best sambas ever written.

9 – O Gago Apaixonado – Noel Rosa

The title of the song says already how humorous it is, “the stutter in love”. In this song, Noel Rosa shows his geniality as composer. In this iconic melody, he sings stuttering, telling the history of a guy who gets nervous because he is ignored by the loved woman.

10 – Leva meu samba – Ataulfo Alves

Born in Minas Gerais state, this very prolific composer with more than 320 songs, is very known for “Ai meu Deus que saudade da Amélia”. However, in “Leva meu samba” we have a more elaborate music, with a sophisticate melody.