Brasil, Brasil
3 part documentary
Another great music series from BBC4 running through the cultural history of Brazil from bossa nova in the 50s, to tropicalia in the 60s, up to baile funk and the re-emergance of samba recently.
From the first episode, it's clear they've got most of the heavyweights on board here - Gilberto Gil, (now Minister of Culture); Pele, Caetano Veloso; Bebel Gilberto; Joyce; Seu Jorge. Plus some excellent footage of everyone from Os Mutantes to Carmen Miranda, Jorge Ben, Joao Gilberto, Tom Jobin etc playing.
It's a cliche that Brazilians are as into their music as they are football - but what's amazing here is learning how the government tried to use it to unify a huge country, and then cracked down when the tropicalia generation proved too radical for the fascist regime.
Highly recommended viewing for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge beyond Girl From Ipanema (which still sounds great btw).
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7th Nov 2007 - Tumblr
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