brasileirinho

i'm always on the lookout for interesting music based dvd's
a few weeks back i latched onto one documenting the music of iceland
which turned out to be a real beauty and has now got me started
on a little project of gathering similar such documentaries
seems a great way to learn more about the music of the world
there's also a little project underway to document in this blog
50 distinctive genres of music as identified by songlines magazine
this dvd looked particularly appealing as it is a film about choro music
a genre that i had recently read about and quoted from songlines -
choro is the ragtime of brazil and the mother of samba and bossa nova
for just as jazz lies latent in ragtime, so those later rhythms lie latent in choro
the rhythm grew from a fusion of african and european dance hall styles - particularly polka
so without hesitation the purchase was made and tonight was showtime
the film is centred in and around rio de janeiro
the opening scenes take us on a journey around the city at night
before we are on stage at a concert with a group called trio madeira brasil
3 gentleman playing acoustic guitars and a mandolin
beautiful music and some excellent closeup footage
showing the dexterity of the musicians at work
i think i'm liking this gentle, harmonious brazilian music
the film then cuts to some interviews with the musicians
all in brazilian but the sub-titles are large, easy to read and presumably accurate
i think we go back in time as there seems to a lot of talk and rehearsing
preparing for an up-coming concert which we have had a sneak preview of
there's some stunning shots of the countryside around rio
and music is never far away with various combinations of musicians
practicing, discussing, and rehearsing for the upcoming concert
we also get some relevant history with photos presented and explained
and a visit to snake's armpit a famous choro music club in the 70's
brass is introduced from the trombone of ze senior
at a lovely outdoor rehearsal with the original trio and now a brass section
playing what now obviously is choro - gentle, complex, addictive music
back into concert mode with classical guitar maestro yamandu costa
playing a style of music not entirely classical but brazilian infused
the acoustic end of the scale for choro music presumably
the middle part of the film seems to focus on song and singing
with some fine examples of ladies singing some rather sombre tunes
we are also given exposure to some of the younger musicians of brazil
as they pursue the music and seek to emulate their musical idols
the film very cleverly mixes in some fascinating footage of life in the city
passing trams, cafes, buildings, even aeroplanes are seen
and some interviews conducted in the surrounding hills
with the city for the backdrop giving a sense of being there
it becomes apparant that we are very cleverly being introduced
to all the musicians that are on stage in the final scenes of the film
back to the concert from the opening scenes
but now feeling like we are old friends with those on stage
and it's a great pleasure to see and feel the warmth and happiness
of the music, the musicians and the audience
choro - got it
is good