Álibi
Maria Bethânia
1978
Why This Album Matters
Álibi, Maria Bethânia's eighth studio album, released in 1978, represents a watershed moment in the singer's career and in Brazilian Popular Music itself. With it, Bethânia not only solidified her position as one of the country's greatest interpreters, but also democratised MPB, breaking down the stigma that the genre was exclusive to a more elitist and intellectualised audience. The album is a celebration of the power of the female voice, of dramatic quality, and of emotion, intrinsic characteristics of Bethânia's art. It stands out for its careful selection of repertoire, which blends established and emerging composers, and for the intensity of the interpretations, which range from the lyrical to the popular, from samba to bolero, without losing artistic coherence. Álibi proved that quality and popular appeal could coexist, opening new horizons for Brazilian music and establishing Maria Bethânia as a true queen of national music.
With Álibi, Maria Bethânia achieved an unprecedented feat for a female performer in Brazilian music: the staggering milestone of over 1 million copies sold.
Antônio do Amaral Rocha · Rolling Stone Brasil
Context
Before Álibi, Maria Bethânia was already a critically acclaimed singer, admired for her deep, distinctive voice and the theatricality of her shows, but her audience was more restricted, concentrated among the intellectual and university elite. Her popularity began to expand with successes such as "Olhos nos Olhos" (1976) and the albums Pássaro Proibido (1976) and Pássaro da Manhã (1977), which earned her the first Gold Discs. The formation of the supergroup Doces Bárbaros in 1976, alongside Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and Gal Costa, also increased her visibility. The release of Álibi in 1978 coincided with a crucial period in Brazilian history, the beginning of political opening after years of repression by the military dictatorship, which had stifled MPB with censorship. The album, and particularly the interpretation of "Cálice" on the programme Fantástico, in line with the extinction of AI-5 in early 1979, symbolised a moment of renewal and hope, resonating deeply with the country's sentiment.
Recording
Álibi was released in 1978 by Polygram/Philips (now Universal Music), consolidating the singer's partnership with one of the largest record labels of the era. Album production was handled by Perinho Albuquerque and Maria Bethânia herself, a collaboration that ensured fidelity to the interpreter's artistic vision. Perinho Albuquerque not only produced the record, but was also responsible for the arrangements and musical direction, crucial elements for the album's cohesive and engaging sound. The team of musicians included talents such as Jamil Joanes, Luizão, and Moacyr Albuquerque on bass, and the notable participation of Rosinha de Valença, who contributed cavaquinho and classical guitar, enriching the instrumental texture.
Songs
The album Álibi is a true compendium of classics, with songs that became iconic in Maria Bethânia's voice. The title track, "Álibi", by Djavan, set a tone of intensity and passion, becoming one of her greatest successes. Other highlights include the unforgettable duet with Gal Costa on "Sonho Meu", by Dona Ivone Lara and Délcio Carvalho, a bold choice by the singer who initially considered Alcione for the partnership. The partnership with Alcione, in turn, materialised in the powerful interpretation of "O Meu Amor", a composition by Chico Buarque originally written for the musical Ópera do Malandro. The repertoire also treats the listener to the dramatic quality of "Ronda", by Paulo Vanzolini, and the explosion of feelings in "Explode Coração (Não Dá Mais Pra Segurar)", by Gonzaguinha, which became one of the biggest successes of her career. "Cálice", by Chico Buarque and Gilberto Gil, prohibited by the dictatorship since 1973, received a powerful interpretation, becoming a symbol of resistance and the political opening of the era.
Legacy
Álibi was not only a critical success, but an unprecedented commercial phenomenon for a Brazilian female singer. It was the first album by a woman in Brazil to surpass the 900,000 copies sold mark, with some sources indicating over one million, a feat until then exclusive to Roberto Carlos. The eponymous single, "Álibi", also received a gold disc and sold over 785,000 copies. Considered one of the best albums of the singer's career, Álibi is positioned 79th on Rolling Stone Brasil's prestigious List of the 100 greatest Brazilian music albums. In addition to sales and critical acclaim, the album popularised Maria Bethânia's career, transforming her into the most popular singer in the country and redefining MPB's relationship with the general public. Its success opened doors for other artists of the genre to also achieve national prominence.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
Perinho Albuquerque
Jamil Joanes, Luizão, Moacyr Albuquerque
Rosinha de Valença
Rosinha de Valença
Enéas Costa, Paulinho Braga, Tutty Moreno
Mauro Senise
Perinho Albuquerque
Mauricio Einhorn
Djalma Correa, Tutty Moreno
Perna Fróes, Tomas Improta
Edmundo Maciel
Ivan Lisnik
Barrozo
Ary Carvalhaes
Ary Carvalhaes
Julinho, Vitor Farias
Luciano Figueiredo, Oscar Ramos
Marisa Alvarez Lima
Januário Garcia
Podcasts
Vinilteca · José Ono Junior e Guilherme Colpani
Em 1978, o início de uma abertura política no Brasil trouxe leveza pra música popular brasileira, depois de tanta censura enfrentada por cantores e compositores. Essa nova fase foi encabeçada pelo sucesso do disco "Álibi", de Maria Bethânia, que vendeu 1 milhão de cópias e elevou a voz feminina na MPB a patamares até então não alcançados. A Vinilteca é um projeto que nasceu no YouTube em 2016 e m
Videos
MARIA BETHÂNIA - ÁLIBI (1978) | ALBUM REVIEW
Vinilteca
TUDO SOBRE O ÁLIBI DA MARIA BETHÂNIA
Escuta esse disco!
Books
The 500 Greatest Brazilian Albums of All Time
Ricardo Alexandre · 2022
The election was spearheaded by journalist Ricardo Alexandre, creator of the Discoteca Básica podcast. Ricardo consulted 162 specialists including journalists, YouTubers, podcasters, musicians, record-shop owners and producers. The result was published as a 200-page hardcover book, with graphic design by Fernando Pires.
Vozes do Brasil
Patricia Palumbo · 2019
Esta obra, em nova edição revista e ampliada, 'Vozes do Brasil: entrevistas reunidas', oferece um panorama da vida e da obra de importantes personalidades da MPB, por meio de entrevistas conduzidas pela jornalista Patricia Palumbo. Dada a relevância de Maria Bethânia no cenário da MPB e o impacto do álbum 'Álibi' como seu primeiro disco de ouro, é altamente provável que uma entrevista com a artista aborde este trabalho significativo em sua discografia.
Analyses
Álibi – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Álibi – The 100 Greatest Albums of Brazilian Music
Antônio do Amaral Rocha · Rolling Stone Brasil
ComÁlibi, Maria Bethânia superou uma barreira até então jamais realizada na música brasileira por uma intérprete feminina: a astronômica marca de mais de 1 milhão de cópias vendidas. Além de “Álibi”, de Djavan, que dá nome ao disco, aqui está o megassucesso “Explode Coração”, ao lado de “Negue”, “Sonho Meu” em dueto com Gal Costa, “Cálice” , “De todas as Maneiras”, “Ronda”, entre tantas outras. Todos esses registros se tornaram posteriormente referências de interpretação, clássicos da música brasileira e campeões de execuções em rádio.
"Álibi" (Philips, 1978), Maria Bethânia
discosessenciais.blogspot.com
Mas o grande salto na carreira de Maria Bethânia acontece com o álbum Álibi, lançado em dezembro de 1978. Diferente dos álbuns anteriores, Álibi trouxe canções que se tornaram grandes sucessos e que marcariam toda a carreira de Bethânia.
Maria Bethânia - Álibi (1978) | Documentos Revelados
docrevelados.wordpress.com
Um disco e tanto de Maria Bethânia. Lançado em 1978, é um dos melhores álbuns, senão o melhor de sua carreira. A forma na qual fora construído esse álbum diz muito sobre sua beleza e sua importância. Por inúmeras questões, uma delas foram as belíssimas releituras realizadas de canções de Chico Buarque por exemplo. As…
Álibi, de Maria Bethânia: há 40 anos, disco deu vigor feminino à MPB
metropoles.com
Com Álibi, Maria Bethânia deu personalidade feminina à música brasileira da época, derrubando o estigma de cantora elitista da MPB, com todas as faixas estourando nas rádios. Outro sucesso do disco Álibi que será destaque na apresentação da cantora em Brasília é Sonho Meu.
Discogs
Álibi – Discogs
discogs.com