Na Quadrada das Águas Perdidas
Elomar
1979
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Na Quadrada das Águas Perdidas, released in 1978, is a work that delves deeply into the unique universe of Elomar Figueira Mello, an artist who forged his own unmistakable musical language. His compositions are notable for the strong presence of dialectal variants, archaisms and neologisms, constructing a highly characteristic sertaneja orality that became his signature. The album's lyrics, as in all his work, traverse a wide range of themes, invariably linked to the rural imagination of the Northeastern sertão. However, this landscape is enriched by mediaeval, Christian and Iberian elements, weaving a sonic tapestry that, in the words of critics, is like a “song of millennia”, uniting the great epic narrative and the genres of mediaeval poetry with snapshots of sertaneja life. Musically, Elomar also stands out for his particular guitar playing style, frequently altering the instrument's tuning to create unique sonorities.
Context
Before releasing Na Quadrada das Águas Perdidas, Elomar Figueira Mello had already begun his musical journey after being discovered by producer Roberto Sant'Ana in Salvador, while studying architecture at UFBA, where he also had a brief stint at the School of Music. His first album, Das Barrancas do Rio Gavião, in 1972, marked the beginning of a more consistent investment in his musical career. During this period, Elomar already demonstrated the influence of Iberian and Arab traditions, bequeathed by Portuguese colonisation to Northeastern Brazil, elements that would consolidate and deepen in the 1978 album. The originality of his work was already recognised by names such as Vinicius de Moraes, who praised his previous work, underlining the artist's deep connection with the arid environment of the sertão.
Recording
The album Na Quadrada das Águas Perdidas was recorded at the Music Seminary of the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA). For this work, Elomar collaborated with other musicians and performers, such as Elena Rodrigues, Dércio Marques, Xangai and Carlos Pitta, who contributed to the album's peculiar sonic atmosphere.
Songs
The songs on Na Quadrada das Águas Perdidas are a vivid example of Elomar's compositional style, where the sertaneja dialectal language, as the artist himself calls it, is a constant. Linguistic variants from the caatinga predominate, often in an archaising manner, but the composer also fluidly transitions between formal style and classical vernacular language. This linguistic dynamic in Elomar's compositions allows for constant renewal and transformation, with examples such as the pronominal variation between “ancê”, “iancê” and “você” within the same work. Furthermore, polyglossia is another striking characteristic of his texts, where he easily manipulates the sertanejo dialect, that of the pampas, cultured Portuguese, archaic and mediaeval Portuguese, and even foreign languages, creating a lyrical universe of rich complexity.
Tracks
Credits
Carlos Pita, Dercio Marques
Alcivando Luz
Elomar
Dercio Marques
Elena Rodrigues
Films
Books
Analyses
Elomar - Na Quadrada das Águas Perdidas (1979)
musicasdonordeste.net
Blending a repertoire of MPB classics, Northeastern Brazilian music, and hits from the three artists, this project is the culmination of all the best from the three previous editions. It also features three unreleased tracks to further enrich the repertoire and a stunning setting.
Elomar - Na Quadrada das Águas Perdidas
umcatalogo.substack.com
"Na Quadrada das Águas Perdidas" is a monumental leap in form and as an artistic work. Although the first album is better known and revered, what he achieves on this double album is a pure and absolute marvel.
Terra Brasilis 2: Elomar - Na Quadrada Das Águas Perdidas
terrabrasilis2.blogspot.com
This article aims to examine in more detail, through an analysis of the lyrics of the song Canto de guerreiro mongoió, Elomar's representations of the historical-geographical sertão in which the composer is situated as an individual and as an artist – the Sertão da Ressaca.
Vinil Campina: Elomar - 1979 - Na Quadrada Das Águas Perdidas
vinilcampina.blogspot.com
10 Função (Elomar) DISC 2 Tracks 1 Noite de Santo Reis (Elomar) 2 Cantoria Pastoral (Elomar) 3 O Rapto de Joana do Tarugo (Elomar) 4 Canto de Guerreiro Mongoio (Elomar) 5 Clariô (Elomar) 6 Bespa (Do ''Auto da Catingueira'') (Elomar) 7 Dassanta (Do ''Auto da Catingueira'') (Elomar) 8 Curvas do Rio (Elomar) 9 Tirana (Elomar) 10 Puluxias (Elomar)
Elomar - Na Quadrada Das Águas Perdidas (1979) - Rádio Olisipo
radiolisipo.com
Elomar - Na Quadrada Das Águas Perdidas (1979) Memória de Elefante 21/12/24 Author: Francesco Valente A column that reveals events, curiosities, releases, anniversaries, and historical facts linked to the world of popular music.
