Elis Regina - Upa Neguinho

An awesome little video of Elis in the 60s, in colour as well! I can only apologise for the bonkers french presenters who introduce her. I really am very sorry...

Novos Baianos - Samba da Minha Terra

Another great video of Novos Baianos playing live! There is such a great mixture of old and new, acoustic and electric. This was the forward-looking music of the early 70s in Brazil which added the sound of psychedelic rock to the already rich music of Bahia. By this time they were all living in a commune in Rio, playing music and football, hence "Novos Bainos F.C."! 

Nara Leão - Insensatez

A melancholic offering from Nara Leão, the first lady of bossa nova. Fascinating hearing her talk about the bossa scene back then; so much of this music was made before it reached the wider world. What a beautiful voice as well!

Paulinho da Viola & Maria Bethânia - Tudo é Ilusão/Minhas Madrugadas/Pecadora

As it's a Saturday I thought I'd post a video of how I'd like to spend my weekends: on a beach in Brazil, drinking ice cold beer and listening to good music. This is taken from a French documentary called 'Saravah' (1969, more clips on YouTube) and shows master sambista Paulinho reminiscing with singer Maria Bethânia, who is also Caetano Veloso's sister. It's so brilliant having a video showing them in such a relaxed setting, and looking so young! Paulinho sounds amazing, particularly in the 3rd song. If only there was a beach in South London...

Djavan - Flor de Lis

A more recent video of Djavan performing one of his classic songs with João Castilho. I love how the two of them hold court with an entire stadium. You get the impression that, were they to stop, the crowd would carry on regardless. They pretty much finish the song for him! It really shows how the 'audience' in Brazil are so much more a part of the music than in many other countries. Brilliant...

Elis Regina - Águas de Março

There are so many good versions of this song on record, but this is my favourite video of it. It's so beautifully played and I always find myself smiling with her at the end. An absolute classic!

Chico Buarque - Cotidiano

Chico in the 80s. Is it just me, or does he look incredibly paranoid? As if someone might be secretly filming him or something. Anyway I love this video - short and sweet!

João & Bebel Gilberto - Chega de Saudade

This is a really sweet video! João Gilberto, who has quite simply the smoothest, most velvety voice in history, is joined by his daughter Bebel. She's so nervous when she starts, but it's really touching seeing them sing together. Que coisa linda...

Elis Regina & Milton Nascimento - Caxangá

I love Elis and I love her even more when she sings Milton Nascimento songs! This is from a TV show in 1977 when it was apparently normal for the main singer to perform sat down in an office chair. 10 bonus points if you spot the bearded keyboard player...

Chico Buarque, Gal Costa & Djavan - Nuvem Negra

Thanks to my friend Marcela (@marcelapieri) for sending me this. An absolutely beautiful song, sung by 3 of my favourite singers, at the same time! How very nice of them...

Novos Baianos - A Menina Dança

I might as well start with one of my favourites: Novos Baianos playing live for the camera in Rio. This couldn't really be any cooler. And it's got a proper drum kit on it, unlike the studio version on 'Acabou Chorare'. Plug it into something loud and turn it up!