Zito Borborema - Vocé Não Faz O Que Eu Faça (côco) from O Nordeste Canta - RGE (1957)

Zito Borborema was a member of Jackson Do Pandeiro's band before becoming a solo star. He was so beloved by Jackson that his band was named after Borborema. As compliments go, this must be the ultimate and speaks volumes about Zito's talent and... perhaps... charm? Vocé Não Faz O Que Eu Faça (côco) is another great track from this 10" collection of 78rpms on RGE. Several collections of material from this period were subsequently released, but Vocé Não Faz O Que Eu Faça only appears on this 10".

Zito Borborema - Vocé Não Faz O Que Eu Faça (côco) from O Nordeste Canta - RGE (1957)

Trio Nordestino - Pau De Arara É A Vovozinha from Os Grandes Sucessos Do - Magazine (orig 1964)

I have been a bit slow to post lately. Apologies! Lots of new content is on the way. Pau De Arara É A Vovozinha is a great one from Trio Nordestino from their 1964 LP of the same title. The original LP featured the group on the tarmac looking like they are ready to conquer the world. Like the other early to mid-60s Trio Nordestino LPs, the albums were reissued a number of times over the years. This is fortunate for Trio Nordestino and fans of great forró.

Azulão (Caruarú) - Essa Mulher Luxa Demais from O Baque Da Cancela - Esquema (1978)

Azulão de Caruarú, like Zenilton and often Luiz Gonzaga, usually has at least several solid tracks on every album. O Baque Da Cancela is no exception. Essa Mulher Luxa Demais is a great swinger featuring Camarão on accordion and Azulão's trademark relaxed delivery.

Azulão (Caruarú) - O Baque Da Cancela - Esquema (1978)

Sebastião Do Rojão - Entrei De Gaiato (baião) from O Balanço Da Mulata - Chantecler (1964)

There is a lot of humor in forró, but also a history of clowning in the genre. Perhaps the prince of this is Genival Lacerda, but there was a large group of cheeky northeasterners including Luiz Wanderley, Gordurinha, and Coronel Ludru who were certainly going for laughs at times. Even Jackson Do Pandeiro can be seen sporting a Lampião outfit and having a bit of fun on the silver screen. I don't generally think of Sebastião Do Rojão as a clown, but the sleeve of O Balanço Da Mulata suggests a man who is up to some tomfoolery. Regardless of marketing, the LP is full of excellent songs including the wonderful Entrei De Gaiato (baião) featured this week.

Sebastião Do Rojão -
O Balanço Da Mulata - Chantecler (1964)

Trio Mossoró - Quero Ver Se Não Vai Dar from Terra de Santa Luzia - Cantagalo (1968)

Past 1970, it is rare that to find mixed-gender forró groups. However, there were a few combos in the 1950s and 1960s, like Trio Marabá and Marinés e Süa Gente, that performed baioes (sometimes spelled baiãos) and forró. Trio Marabá harkened back to the group sound of the 1930s and 1940s. Trio Mossoró probably modeled themselves off of the more modern Marinés e Süa Gente, although Trio Mossoró featured male and female vocals and Marinés was the only singer in her group. This was highly unusual. Trio Mossoró records seem to be particularly desirable, thanks to the reputation of their De Norte a Sul LP. 

Trio Mossoró - Terra de Santa Luzia - Cantagalo (1968)

Mané Baião E Seus Cangaceiros - A Mangabeira from ST LP - Continental (1966)

Mané Baião E Seus Cangaceiros is a wonderful and rare 1960s forró LP. While there seem to be a tidal wave of forró LPs from the 1970s, the 1960s seem to have a tenth of what would appear in the following decade, perhaps due to the derailing of Brazil by the military takeover. Mané Baião began his career at the tail-end of the 78rpm era in the early 1960s, but managed to transition to compactos and vinyl LPs during the drought-like 1960s.

 

Mané Baião E Seus Cangaceiros - Continental (1966)

Trio Nordestino - Carta Ao Rio from Os Grandes Sucessos Do - Magazine (orig 1965)

This Trio Nordestino, not to be confused with the Trio Nordestino from Alagoas, released a number of strong LPs in the early 1960s that have I foolishly overlooked. Os Grandes Sucessos collects songs from their 1963, 1965 and 1966 LPs. My favorite track from this compilation is Carta Ao Rio. The song is a rip-roaring côco with a killer chorus, reminiscent of some of the best 1960s Ary Lobo tracks. 

Trio Nordestino - Os Grandes Sucessos Do - Magazine