Brazil in Vira Loucos by Cyro Baptista
Today we listen to an album recorded more than 20 years ago – our favourite magician on the percussions Cyro Baptista plays music composed and inspired by the work of the big Brazilian classical composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. It is no coincidence that the name of the album translates to “To go mad”.
The album comes out in 1997 on the Japanese label Avant. This is the first strange thing – a Brazilian, living in the States, issues an album in Japan. However, a quick glance at the group of musicians associated with the project is enough to understand why things are so intertwined. The original line-up includes John Zorn on the saxophone (also co-producing the album), Greg Cohen on the bass, Marc Ribot on guitar, and in the live performances, some 15 years later (that we offer you in this post), includes the next generation of Zorn’s musicians - Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz on the bass, Brian Marsella on the piano and Tim Keiper on drums and percussions, accompanied by a bunch of other Brazilian musicians and the vocals of Vanessa Falabella.
The music of the great Villa-Lobos has cult status in Brazil. It is almost impossible to interpret, due to its complicated rhythms and sudden turns. That is exactly what drives Cyro Baptista towards this project and eventually to record the album. Actually, this is his first solo album. Music that pulsates and is full of surprises, where you will hear familiar sounds, but in a new and different way. In addition, the combination of percussions, accordion, piano and guitars is a pure delight to all the senses. But no matter how light it may sound on the first glance, the music is deeply rooted in classical pieces by Villa-Lobos, and it shows.
An album that never gets old and we keep listening to over and over. An album that shows how music can be turned inside out in the most creative way. It also shows how strong Cyro Baptista’s energy is – something we have gotten to witness for ourselves live a couple of times. Once he sets foot on the stage, he takes you on a journey through his world.
Today we offer you two live performances of Vira Loucous by Cyro Baptista and his band in Brazil in 2012 - Ama-Teresinha de Jesus and Sapo Cururu, as well as a recording from the album from 1997, accompanied by John Zorn on saxophone - Dansa. Sadly, we are unable to find the original Vira Loucos for sale online, but you can stream it on Spotify.
To finish things off we would like to quote Cyro Baptista’s unique and funny excuse to Villa-Lobos: "As for Villa, if he turns over in his grave and throws up dust, I'm sorry. He is a dead genius. I am a live idiot". As proof, we listen to the original piece O Trenzinho Caipira by Heitor Villa-Lobos, written way back in 1930.
August 2019
©МА
