Part Two: Joci Batista - Já Falaram de Mim, Juazeiro Verde & Vamos Queimar a Fundunga from Juazeiro Verde - AMC (1969)

The debut album by Joci Batista is so strong that it deserves two posts. My first post featured album vs. indie 45 versions of 2 songs from Juazeiro Verde. Juazeiro Verde was reissued several times, which is rare for forró and a testament to Batista's popularity. There are slight variations in the cover art for this LP. Why photographers had so many forró artists staring into the sun for their cover photos, I will never know. Minimal cover art coincides with minimal studio embellishments. My impression is, budgets were low and tracks were recorded quickly. I don't have any hard evidence to back this up, outside of existing recordings. If you compare an album recorded by a Tropicalia artist, which may be full of experimentation, rich orchestration & an expansive mix vs. forró artist, it seems clear that most forró artists were on a budget. Generally, albums made from the late 1960s on were quick and dirty, requiring bands to be tight going into the studio. This may be why albums recorded on CBS, Philips and RCA from the 1960s and 70s and given a little care have a sonic wow factor.

Joci Batista - Já Falaram de Mim from Juazeiro Verde - AMC (1969)



Joci Batista - Juazeiro Verde from Juazeiro Verde - AMC (1969)

 

Joci Batista - Vamos Queimar a Fundunga from Juazeiro Verde - AMC (1969)

Joci Batista - Juazeiro Verde - AMC (1969)