À Vontade
Baden Powell
1964
Why This Album Matters
À Vontade, released in 1964, is a seminal album in Baden Powell's discography and in Brazilian music, presenting an innovative fusion that transcended the boundaries of bossa nova. The record is a quintessential example of what would become known as Afro-Bossa, a style that integrates the harmonic sophistication of bossa nova and jazz with the vigorous rhythms and spirituality of Afro-Brazilian traditions. Powell, with his virtuosic acoustic guitar, demonstrated a unique ability to combine classical techniques with popular 'ginga' and the 'balanço' of samba, creating a powerful and distinctive sound. This work not only solidified Powell's position as one of Brazil's most celebrated guitarists and composers, but also offered a new direction for the country's popular music, exploring deep cultural roots with a modern and sophisticated approach.
Context
In the early 1960s, bossa nova was at its peak, led by figures such as Tom Jobim and João Gilberto. However, Baden Powell and his songwriting partner, the poet and diplomat Vinicius de Moraes, sought a new sound, delving into the rich traditions of Afro-Brazilian culture. Before À Vontade, Baden Powell was already recognised for his excellence on the guitar, but this album marked a turning point, where he and Vinicius de Moraes launched the Afro-Bossa style. This approach contrasted with the predominant bossa nova by infusing elements of candomblé, umbanda and capoeira into the structure of samba, exploring a more elemental and spiritually charged musical path.
Recording
The album À Vontade was recorded at Rio Som Studios, in Rio de Janeiro, in late 1962. Production was handled by Aloysio de Oliveira, a prominent figure in the Brazilian music scene and responsible for the Elenco Records label, the independent imprint that released the record. Baden Powell performed on acoustic guitar on all tracks, accompanied by talented musicians such as Jorge Ferreira da Silva on flute, Pedro dos Santos on percussion and João Batista Stockler Pimentel on drums. The iconic and minimalist cover art, in black, white and red, was created by designer Cesar G. Villesa, helping to define the visual aesthetic of bossa nova at the time.
Songs
À Vontade features a collection of songs that would become instant classics of Brazilian music. Among them, compositions such as "Berimbau", "Candomblé" and "Consolação" stand out, which are prime examples of the fusion of samba with Afro-Brazilian forms. The album also includes interpretations of hits such as "Garota de Ipanema" and the famous "Samba Triste", one of Powell's best-known compositions. Powell's compositional technique, which combined the harmonic complexity of bossa nova with the percussion and rhythmic energy of samba, is evident on all tracks, where the acoustic guitar takes centre stage, exploring everything from fingerpicking to flamenco techniques to create distinct polyrhythms.
Legacy
Since its release, À Vontade has had a highly positive reception, with many of its songs, such as "Berimbau" and "Candomblé", quickly becoming standards of Brazilian music. Artists like Elis Regina, Edu Lobo, Nara Leão and Sérgio Mendes re-recorded tracks from the album, attesting to its relevance and lasting influence. The album was a crucial debut release for Baden Powell on Elenco Records, a label that was at the forefront of the bossa nova scene. In addition to its immediate impact, À Vontade is frequently cited as a precursor to the Tropicália movement, which would go on to revolutionise Brazilian music in the following decade.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
José Delphino Filho
Aloysio De Oliveira
João Batista Stockler Pimentel
Jorge Ferreira Da Silva
Pedro Santos
Baden Powell
Peter Keller
Norman Sternberg
Cesar G. Villela
Books
Analyses
A Vontade - Record Collector Magazine
recordcollectormag.com
Baden Powell was the guitar genius who helped shape bossa nova's sound, bringing a new level of artistry to his instrument while cementing its place at the rhythmic heart of the genre.
The Music of Parallel Realities: Baden Powell - A Vontade (1964)
parallelrealitiesmusic.blogspot.com
Baden Powell - A Vontade (1964) Elenco ME-11 Produção e Direção: Aloísio de Oliveira Músicos: Pedro dos Santos (Sorongo, Fx. 5) Jorge Ferreira da Silva (Flauta, Fxs. 1 e 7) João Batista Stockler Pimentel (Bateria, Fxs. 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 e 9) Faixas: 01. Garota de Ipanema (Tom Jobim / Vinicius de Moraes) 02. Berimbau (Baden Powell / Vinicius ...
Baden Powell - A Vontade (1964) - PARALLEL REALITIES STUDIO
parallelrealitiesstudio.wordpress.com
Faixas: 01. Garota de Ipanema (Tom Jobim / Vinicius de Moraes) 02. Berimbau (Baden Powell / Vinicius de Moraes) 03. O Astronauta (Baden Powell / Vinicius de Moraes) 04. Consolação (Baden Powell / Vinicius de Moraes) 05. Sorongaio (Pedro Santos) 06. Samba do Avião (Tom Jobim)
Baden Powell - A Vontade (1963) | Toque Musical
toque-musicall.com
Com uma capa super bonita - desenho e criação de Cesar Villela, o homem das artes gráficas, responsável por tantas outras que deram uma identidade visual à Elenco - o álbum está perfeito!
Clássico absoluto da MPB, "Baden Powell à Vontade" retorna em vinil
universalmusic.com.br
A reedição do álbum "Baden Powell à Vontade" já está disponível na UMusic Store. Saiba mais AQUI. No caso de Baden, um bossanovista que injetou molho negro na batida de seu violão, o repertório era dos mais azeitados.
Discogs
À Vontade – Discogs
discogs.com