Nó em Pingo D'Água: Nó Interpreta Paulinho da Viola

If you have not yet heard anything by Nó em Pingo D'Água, you are missing one of the best choro groups in contemporary Brazilian music. Since 1983, with the release of João Pernambuco (Atração ATR 32010), Nó has been pushing choro to new heights. The group is a front runner in the neo-choro movement. The group name itself says a lot about Nó. It's as creative as the music they make. Just like it's hard to envision how one can tie a "knot in a drop of water," it is equally challenging to define Nó's music with words. Their sound is unique and can best be experienced through their highly artistic performances full of vigor, style and musicianship.

Nó em Pingo D'Água Nó em Pingo D'Água has undergone some changes since it was formed in 1978. When that first album honoring the music of João Pernambuco was released in 1983. the group's formation was Jorge Simas (7-string acoustic guitar), Márcio Gomes (percussion), Mário Sève (sax and flute), Rogério Souza (acoustic guitar), Pedro Amorim (mandolin and tenor guitar) and Wanderson Martins (cavaquinho). In its present formation, the group is now comprised of Celsinho Silva (pandeiro and percussion), Mário Sève (sax and flute), Rodrigo Lessa (mandolin and cavaquinho), Rogério Souza (acoustic guitar and 7-string acoustic guitar) and Papito (bass). The second album, Salvador (Visom VICD00091), featured music by Hermeto Pascoal, Cesar Camargo Mariano and others. It was followed by Receita de Samba (Visom VICD00064) in 1991. The repertoire was all Jacob do Bandolim. With the 1999 Nó na Garganta (Independent 0013NPD07), the group featured the present formation and a repertoire with music by Guinga, Villa-Lobos as well as their own compositions. Last year, Almir Chediak produced Nó em Pingo D'Água with Cristovão Bastos in what became one of that year's best releases, Domingo na Geral (Lumiar LD57-02/01). To top that excellent album, and after a two-month US tour, Nó is now releasing Nó em Pingo D'Água Interpreta Paulinho da Viola.

Paulinho da Viola, son of César Faria (of the choro group Época de Ouro), is no stranger to choro. His father used to bring the great choro performers, such as Pixinguinha and Jacob do Bandolim, to play at their home. Even though Paulinho is probably more well known for his sambas ("Amor à Natureza," "Coração Leviano" and too many more to name here), he has, in fact, even released entire albums dedicated to choro (Paulinho da Viola e Ensemble, 1993; Memórias Chorando, 1976). Recorded by several Brazilian stars, such as Clara Nunes, Leila Pinheiro. Simone and Zé Luiz Mazziotti, Paulinho now receives an outstanding instrumental tribute through the talented minds and hands of these fine Nó em Pingo D'Água musicians.

Nó em Pingo D'Água Interpreta Paulinho da Viola is a collection of 11 Paulinho classics and one by his father. On the opening track, the group sets off to give each member a chance to prepare us for what the album will show. However, barely a minute and a half into the song, Celsinho's pandeiro takes center stage. When Celsinho plays, it is like an orchestra -- except that it's only his pandeiro! Mário Sève's soprano sax solo is yet another highlight in the same track, with a sound that is ultra smooth. As for Mário's flute playing, as a friend of mine so perceptively put it, his sound is "the instrumental equivalent of Paulinho's voice." "Chuva Fina Também Molha" is a great opener and swings non-stop. In "Sarau pra Radamés," Mário's multi-layered saxes give the song a beautiful tone. He and Celsinho again seem to play off each other's solos with superb ease while Rogério, Rodrigo and Papito carry the rhythm.

The CD is not only choro. With the "Maxixe do Galo," the group puts their own twist to make that maxixe even more lively. The same goes with "Rosinha, Essa Menina." To better understand Nó em Pingo D'Água, here is one fantastic example: "Sinal Fechado." The arrangement captured the profound message of the song without the need of words. Especially with Papito's melancholic bass solo and Rodrigo's own crying mandolin lines, "Sinal Fechado" is outstanding. To change the tone and bring the listener back to Nó's more traditional sound, "Escapulindo" jumps with life. Two very serene moments in this album are present with "Não Me Digas Não" and "Valsa Chorando." The atmosphere created with these two arrangements will most certainly transport you back to a time of moonlit streets and gas lamps at the front porch. Both songs are serenely beautiful, and Cristovão Bastos' piano accompaniment in the former adds an extra touch to the group. The only non-Paulinho da Viola song, "Choro em Ré Menor," gives Papito yet another opportunity to showcase his bass solos. Closing the album, Rogério Souza's introduction to "Timoneiro" will give you a most definite feeling of a Dorival Caymmi song. The gentle motion of the waves in some Caymmi songs permeates this Paulinho da Viola tune thanks to the beautiful instrumentation created.

Arley Pereira's notes are not hyperbolic in stating this is "Nó em Pingo D'Água in its best performance." I must add that I thought so, too, with Nó na Garganta and Domingo na Geral. So, it is fair to assume that is only Nó's best performance -- for the moment! Enjoy Paulinho and Nó. Quoting Paulinho da Viola: "I do not live in the past. The past lives in me." Be a part of this unforgettable moment that is Nó em Pingo D'Água Interpreta Paulinho da Viola.

Nó em Pingo D'Água Nó em Pingo D'Água Interpreta Paulinho da Viola Independent 0304NPD57 (2003) Time: 50'53"
Click to enlarge cover If you have not yet heard anything by Nó em Pingo D'Água, you are missing one of the best choro groups in contemporary Brazilian music. Since 1983, with the release of João Pernambuco (Atração ATR 32010), Nó has been pushing choro to new heights. The group is a front runner in the neo-choro movement. The group name itself says a lot about Nó. It's as creative as the music they make. Just like it's hard to envision how one can tie a "knot in a drop of water," it is equally challenging to define Nó's music with words. Their sound is unique and can best be experienced through their highly artistic performances full of vigor, style and musicianship. Nó em Pingo D'Água has undergone some changes since it was formed in 1978. When that first album honoring the music of João Pernambuco was released in 1983. the group's formation was Jorge Simas (7-string acoustic guitar), Márcio Gomes (percussion), Mário Sève (sax and flute), Rogério Souza (acoustic guitar), Pedro Amorim (mandolin and tenor guitar) and Wanderson Martins (cavaquinho). In its present formation, the group is now comprised of Celsinho Silva (pandeiro and percussion), Mário Sève (sax and flute), Rodrigo Lessa (mandolin and cavaquinho), Rogério Souza (acoustic guitar and 7-string acoustic guitar) and Papito (bass). The second album, Salvador (Visom VICD00091), featured music by Hermeto Pascoal, Cesar Camargo Mariano and others. It was followed by Receita de Samba (Visom VICD00064) in 1991. The repertoire was all Jacob do Bandolim. With the 1999 Nó na Garganta (Independent 0013NPD07), the group featured the present formation and a repertoire with music by Guinga, Villa-Lobos as well as their own compositions. Last year, Almir Chediak produced Nó em Pingo D'Água with Cristovão Bastos in what became one of that year's best releases, Domingo na Geral (Lumiar LD57-02/01). To top that excellent album, and after a two-month US tour, Nó is now releasing Nó em Pingo D'Água Interpreta Paulinho da Viola. Paulinho da Viola, son of César Faria (of the choro group Época de Ouro), is no stranger to choro. His father used to bring the great choro performers, such as Pixinguinha and Jacob do Bandolim, to play at their home. Even though Paulinho is probably more well known for his sambas ("Amor à Natureza," "Coração Leviano" and too many more to name here), he has, in fact, even released entire albums dedicated to choro (Paulinho da Viola e Ensemble, 1993; Memórias Chorando, 1976). Recorded by several Brazilian stars, such as Clara Nunes, Leila Pinheiro. Simone and Zé Luiz Mazziotti, Paulinho now receives an outstanding instrumental tribute through the talented minds and hands of these fine Nó em Pingo D'Água musicians. Nó em Pingo D'Água Interpreta Paulinho da Viola is a collection of 11 Paulinho classics and one by his father. On the opening track, the group sets off to give each member a chance to prepare us for what the album will show. However, barely a minute and a half into the song, Celsinho's pandeiro takes center stage. When Celsinho plays, it is like an orchestra -- except that it's only his pandeiro! Mário Sève's soprano sax solo is yet another highlight in the same track, with a sound that is ultra smooth. As for Mário's flute playing, as a friend of mine so perceptively put it, his sound is "the instrumental equivalent of Paulinho's voice." "Chuva Fina Também Molha" is a great opener and swings non-stop. In "Sarau pra Radamés," Mário's multi-layered saxes give the song a beautiful tone. He and Celsinho again seem to play off each other's solos with superb ease while Rogério, Rodrigo and Papito carry the rhythm. The CD is not only choro. With the "Maxixe do Galo," the group puts their own twist to make that maxixe even more lively. The same goes with "Rosinha, Essa Menina." To better understand Nó em Pingo D'Água, here is one fantastic example: "Sinal Fechado." The arrangement captured the profound message of the song without the need of words. Especially with Papito's melancholic bass solo and Rodrigo's own crying mandolin lines, "Sinal Fechado" is outstanding. To change the tone and bring the listener back to Nó's more traditional sound, "Escapulindo" jumps with life. Two very serene moments in this album are present with "Não Me Digas Não" and "Valsa Chorando." The atmosphere created with these two arrangements will most certainly transport you back to a time of moonlit streets and gas lamps at the front porch. Both songs are serenely beautiful, and Cristovão Bastos' piano accompaniment in the former adds an extra touch to the group. The only non-Paulinho da Viola song, "Choro em Ré Menor," gives Papito yet another opportunity to showcase his bass solos. Closing the album, Rogério Souza's introduction to "Timoneiro" will give you a most definite feeling of a Dorival Caymmi song. The gentle motion of the waves in some Caymmi songs permeates this Paulinho da Viola tune thanks to the beautiful instrumentation created. Arley Pereira's notes are not hyperbolic in stating this is "Nó em Pingo D'Água in its best performance." I must add that I thought so, too, with Nó na Garganta and Domingo na Geral. So, it is fair to assume that is only Nó's best performance -- for the moment! Enjoy Paulinho and Nó. Quoting Paulinho da Viola: "I do not live in the past. The past lives in me." Be a part of this unforgettable moment that is Nó em Pingo D'Água Interpreta Paulinho da Viola. Egídio Leitão November 2003
Track listing (all songs by Paulinho da Viola except where noted):
Chuva Fina Também Molha Sarau pra Radamés Rosinha, Essa Menina Sinal Fechado Escapulindo Oração de Outono Não me Digas Não (Paulinho da Viola - Cristovão Bastos) - w/ Cristovão Bastos Valsa Chorando Choro em Ré Menor (César Faria) Lembrança de Jonas - w/ Paulinho da Viola Maxixe do Galo Timoneiro (Paulinho da Viola - Hermínio Bello de Carvalho)
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