Roberto Carlos – Nao Vou Ficar
Roberto Carlos – Nada Vai Me Convencer
Roberto Carlos – As Curvas da Estrada De Santos
Had such a positive response (even my wife was asking me about it!)from playing one of the songs off this record during last week’s radio show, I thought it was a good choice for this week’s “Dig Deep.” Roberto Carlos became a major star for singing ballads in a bunch of different languages, but back around the time this record came out he was part of the “Jovem Guarda” of Brazilian musicians influenced by American and UK Rock. This record shows the influence of the Brazilian soul godfather Tim Maia and features one of my single favorite funky Brazilian tracks in “Nao Vou Ficar.”
I’d heard Tim Maia’s version of the song, but never this one. I couldn’t believe my ears when Soul Marcosa played a 45 of Roberto Carlos’ version at the dearly departed Gris-Gris last year. The phrasing was like proto-rap and the beat was so funky. And then there’s that breakdown, most definitely one of the baddest breakdowns of all time. Just knew I had to track this one down and eventually did.
I was pleasantly pleased with the other funky tracks here, showing Maia’s influence, but also the influence of Carlos’ brother Erasmo (currently looking for a 1971 record from him that’s mighty mighty dope). While many of the other tracks on the LP are slightly slick ballads, these tracks are right up my alley, real nice and gritty.
Cheers,
Michael
I had my doubts about this record after winning it along with an earlier Roberto Carlos record dirt cheap in an Ebay auction because the earlier LP turned out to be very weak tea "rock and roll" but there are indeed some solid tracks on this one. (I had no idea Roberto Carlos was such a megastar in South and Central America until a Times article a few months back…) And yes, the early 70's Erasmo Carlos records (particularly Sonhos e Memorias) are killer but damned tough to track down.
Great mix of music on this blog!
Thanks Brad, much appreciated! I've been on a bit of Brazilian kick lately, with whatever little money comes my way I've been tracking down choice records that I always wished I had, including some Gal, Maia and Toni Tornado. I'd stack this version of "Nao Vou Ficar" up against the best of that bunch. My copy wasn't dirt cheap, but it was affordable and I'm very happy to have it and that you dug it up too. Peace!