This week, I’ve had Marisa Monte’s version of “Dança da Solidão” #OnRepeat. I’ve been recently getting back into listening to Brazilian music and I think this is the perfect vocalist to reintroduce myself back into the music with.
Marisa Monte is a singer from Brazil who sings mostly Pop and Rock music (Música Popular Brasileira). Her music is eclectic and distinct, and you can tell–Monte was classically trained, yet grew up around the sounds of the Portela samba school. She also plays ukulele, cavaquinho, and guitar while she sings. Much of her music blends popular musical influences such as Rock, Pop, and Blues, with that of traditional Afro-Brazilian musics such as Forro and Samba. Some of her most well-known songs are “Nú Com A Minha Música”and “Aquele Abraço.”
“Dança da Solidão” was originally composed by Paulinho da Viola, a famous Brazilian singer/songwriter who also played guitar, mandolin, and cavaquinho. The song talks about the solitude of dance and disappointment that comes with life and love. My interpretation of the words were that dance, like solitude, were the only things that could bring happiness and contentment, but then again, I’m not fluent in Portuguese and I didn’t write the song. Either way, Monte’s interpretation of this piece is absolutely haunting–the voicings that she chooses to play on her instrument and her choice of vibrato placement and embellishment adds just the right amount to this already beautiful song.
Take a listen below:
Are there any new artists or groups that you can’t stop listening to? Leave a comment below!