De Uns Tempos pra Cá
Chico César
2005
Why This Album Matters
Released in 2006, De Uns Tempos pra Cá stands as a milestone in Chico César's discography, revealing a more introspective and chamber music-oriented artistic facet of the singer and composer from Paraíba. The album departs from the more pop or African-influenced sounds that characterised previous works, opting for a more minimalist and melancholic approach, with the prominence of string arrangements. This shift in musical direction was noted by critics as a reinvention for the artist, capable of surprising his fans with a new sonic guise. Central to this sound is the participation of the Quinteto da Paraíba, which imbues the album with a chamber music atmosphere, enhancing the poetic quality of Chico César's lyrics. The artist himself describes the album as a journey 'from dark to light', demonstrating a creative freedom that sought to give voice and visibility to songs which, despite some having existed for a long time, gained a new body and meaning in this intimate format. It is a work that invites the listener to a profound reflection on detachment and values, embodying Chico César's constant restlessness and originality in the MPB scene.
Context
De Uns Tempos pra Cá emerged at a moment of maturity in Chico César's career, approximately ten years after the release of his first album, Aos Vivos, in 1995. The artist was already recognised nationally and internationally, known for his versatility and for moving between various genres, from forró and frevo to MPB and reggae. Before dedicating himself entirely to music in 1991, Chico César trained in journalism and had an intense relationship with literature and poetry, elements that have always permeated his compositions. Previous albums such as Cuscuz Clã, Beleza Mano, and Mama Mundi had already consolidated his reputation as a composer whose lyrics were marked by social criticism, humour, and a strong Northeastern accent, blending regional influences with universal sounds. The release of De Uns Tempos pra Cá, therefore, represented a stylistic turn, a dive into a more serene and reflective sound, demonstrating the artist's ability to reinvent himself and explore new musical textures, always maintaining his poetic essence.
Recording
Chico César's fifth studio album, De Uns Tempos pra Cá, was released by Biscoito Fino, a record label known for its catalogue of quality MPB. The album's production was overseen by Lenine, with co-production by Swami Jr., names who contributed to the work's carefully crafted atmosphere. The album's chamber music essence is guaranteed by the significant presence of the Quinteto da Paraíba in the string arrangements. In addition to them, other talented instrumentalists collaborated, such as Toninho Ferragutti on accordion, Simone Julian on flute, and Nailor Proveta on clarinet. Chico César's vocal performance stands out for its smoothness and melancholy, harmonising perfectly with the intimate arrangements. The track selection process included songs composed at different stages of the artist's career, some dating back to the 80s, but all conceived to suit the orchestral and confessional format that defines the album.
Songs
De Uns Tempos pra Cá is a collection of twelve tracks that highlight Chico César's lyrical depth, blending original compositions with significant reinterpretations. Among the highlights, the title track is a reflection on material detachment in favour of human affection, with verses that list everyday objects losing their meaning in the face of the desire to be with one's beloved. The album features notable versions of classics, such as “Cálice” by Gilberto Gil and Chico Buarque, and a beautiful adaptation of “Autumn Leaves” (Outono Aqui), originally by Joseph Kosma, Jacques Prévert, and Johnny Mercer. One of the most curious songs is “Por Causa de um Ingresso do Festival Matou Roqueira de 15 Anos”, whose unusual title was inspired by a newspaper headline about the first Rock in Rio in 1983, and which features Elba Ramalho. “Utopia”, in turn, harks back to the 80s, being a commentary on the non-approval of direct presidential elections.
Legacy
Although there are no explicit mentions of major awards or chart positions, the album De Uns Tempos pra Cá consolidated Chico César's image as an artist in constant evolution and of remarkable depth. The positive reception of the work and the relevance of its musical proposition were attested by the release of the DVD "Cantos e Encontros de Uns Tempos Pra Cá" in 2006. This DVD, recorded at Auditório Ibirapuera, not only documented the album's live performance but also featured renowned artists such as Elba Ramalho and Vange Milliet, as well as reinterpretations of Chico's own classics and hits, like “Mama África” and “À Primeira Vista”. This demonstrates that the album De Uns Tempos pra Cá generated a significant cultural impact, reaffirming Chico César's prestige in the Brazilian popular music scene and his ability to transcend labels, being considered one of the most important musicians of the new Brazilian generation.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
Adail Fernandes, Mário Manga, Ruriá Duprat
Nelson Ayres
Swami Jr.
Lenine
Chico César
Pedro Osmar
Toninho Ferragutti
Ubaldo Versolato
Nailor Proveta Azevedo
Guilherme Kastrup
Simone Julian
Xisto Medeiros
Escurinho
Quinteto Da Paraíba
François De Lima
Walmir De Almeida Gil
Books
Analyses
De Uns Tempos pra Cá – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Chico César - De Uns Tempos Pra Cá - Vírgula - virgula.me
virgula.me
Falar de Chico César implica mistura de ritmos brasileiros. Mas não é o que encontramos no introspectivo disco De Uns Tempos pra Cá, o sexto da carreira do cantor, gravado em companhia do Quinteto da Paraíba.
Chico César: De Uns Tempos Pra Cá - Música Brasileira
musicabrasileira.org
On this cd we hear a completely different Chico César. Accompanied by a string quintet (Quinteto da Paraíba), Chico brings songs that were composed earlier in his career, with a basis in his northeastern roots.
Chico César ( 59' 25'') - Portal da Câmara dos Deputados
camara.leg.br
O CD "De Uns Tempos Pra Cá" comemora os dez anos de carreira fonográfica de Chico César e vem sendo apontado pela crítica como o melhor trabalho do cantor e compositor até agora.
Discogs
De Uns Tempos pra Cá – Discogs
discogs.com