12.09.2005

Hi Folks,

Here is what is going on as we bullet out of 2005.  In order to set the stage for the release of the new Tom Ze album, we have prepared a complementary set of Cliff's notes about the operetta since the 32 page libretto that comes with the record is anything but explanatory. When we get his new pages up, we will post what we know about the mysteries of the new CD.  Next, we'll start a lobby of the Education Department to make "Estudando O Pagode" required listening for grades 6-12.  There's simply no excuse for high schoolers not to be familiar with the unfinished operettas of the Tropicalistas.  Come on, doesn't it just scream standardized testing?

Susana Baca's album is finished and we're getting all of the art work together right now. There is a lot of back and forth in the design process, but it's coming along nicely. Plus, we're still sort of struggling over what the title should be. We only have one title in the running really, which is "Travasias." But we really like to put multiple titles on things. This might be a one title album, however. In fact, maybe we've come to terms with that possibility just writing this post.

We are working on an expanded Os Mutantes record.  The band members have been discussing possibly getting back together for a few shows in 2006, hence we are also talking to people who might be excited as all hell to put on an Os Mutantes show.  Are you one of those people?  Would you mind if we use your basement/rec room for a show or two?  When's the last time you entertained 1,500 people down there?  Yeah.  You're gonna have to move the coffee table.

Jim White is writing and recording new demos for his next record. He is determined to make it a happier album than his previous ones.  Potential producers for his next project are also being tossed around.  The only prerequisite for getting the producing gig is that the person must have sunshine on their shoulders at all times.

To: a slightly less sardonic New Year!

From: Tara & Joel


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11.01.2005

We are working on finishing the new Susana Baca album with producer Craig Street. She has dates in Europe starting next April so we have to get it finished. This record is a Susana power trio with guitarists Kevin Brite, Marc Ribot and Sergio Valdeos from her band along with Juan Medrano Cotito on cajon (that is the wooden percussion box).

Tom Zé has just finished a new record. It is an operetta called 'Estudando O Pagode.' It is an amazing album that makes many topical references in Tom's style of clever wordplay over his and producer Jair Olivera's very creative arrangements. It is getting quite a bit of critical acclaim already. Here is what he had to say about it in an interview with a French magazine: “It’s kinda like in 1976, when I did 'Estudando e Samba' (Studying Samba). This time, I chose pagode because it’s a very popular music despised by the middle class.” Not so long ago, the word pagode designated a meeting of sambaists. In each neighborhood of North Rio, composers from samba schools used to gather at night, often on the patio of a house. They shared their compositions, and improvised together. Guitars and percussion accompanied the lead voice, to which chores responded. Lyrics addressed daily matters often in a sarcastic mode, with quirkiness and double-meaning humorous words. “For about 10 years, the word pagode has changed completely,” explains Master Tom Zé. “It’s a dance music, a poor style, very popular in lower classes. Certain records reach 7 or 8 millions in sales. Lyrics are very machoistic. In this pagode, the woman is treated like meat. One of the biggest hits was the bottle dance: a bottle on the ground above which a woman shakes and bends down as if to sit on the bottleneck. This music segregates women. By studying this musical genre, I wanted to show the way women are treated.”

Sorry we don't have any after show food stories with this update. How about if we give you a couple of Barbecue recommendations: Corky's in Memphis (they ship), Kreuz's Meat Market in Lockhart, Texas. And if you are in the New York area, Q 112 North Main Street in Port Chester.

Love,

Luaka Bop


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10.01.2005