Barquinho
Maysa
1961
Why This Album Matters
Released in 1961, Barquinho is the eleventh studio album by the iconic Maysa, representing a milestone in her discography by deepening the singer's foray into the bossa nova universe. Known for her dramatic voice and intense interpretations in samba-canção, Maysa demonstrated remarkable versatility in this work, imprinting her emotional signature on a genre that, at the time, valued lightness and sophistication. The album, which takes its title from one of bossa nova's most emblematic songs, not only reaffirmed Maysa's talent as an interpreter but also positioned her as an artist capable of transitioning between styles, enriching the movement with her lyrical and melancholic depth. Her unique approach to "Barquinho" and other tracks on the album stood out for reconciling her characteristic intensity with the harmonic and melodic modernity of the new wave of Brazilian music.
Context
Before Barquinho, Maysa was already a consolidated and revered figure in the Brazilian music scene, especially as one of the main voices of samba-canção, a genre nicknamed "música de fossa" (heartbreak music) due to its dramatic and romantic intensity. Her personal life, often exposed and subject to speculation, frequently intertwined with the intensity of her performances, solidifying her image as a "singer-songwriter" with a strong personality. The early 1960s was an effervescent period for Brazilian music, with bossa nova gaining strength and defining a new sonic aesthetic. Maysa's decision to "dive headfirst" into this new style, as indicated by the album Barquinho itself, was a significant move in her career, showing her adaptability and desire to explore new sonorities, without abandoning her romantic and dramatic essence.
Recording
The album Barquinho was recorded in 1961 and featured production by Ronaldo Bôscoli, a central figure in the creation of bossa nova. The musical arrangements were signed by Luiz Eça and Roberto Menescal, the latter, at just 24 years old, also being one of the album's producers. The album's sound is a mix of formations, where half of the songs were accompanied by an orchestra, while the other half featured a small group of musicians. This instrumental diversity allowed Maysa to explore both romantic grandeur and the intimacy and swing characteristic of bossa nova, reflecting the different emotional nuances present in the tracks.
Songs
The title track, "O Barquinho", composed by Roberto Menescal and Ronaldo Bôscoli, is one of the pillars of the album and of bossa nova. Its inspiration came from a boat trip in Cabo Frio in 1961, when engine problems on a vessel gave rise to the melody and, subsequently, the iconic lyrics. In addition to the classic "O Barquinho", the album features other relevant compositions, such as "Você e Eu" (by Carlos Lyra and Vinicius de Moraes), "Dois Meninos" (Roberto Menescal and Ronaldo Bôscoli) and the introspective "Melancolia" (by Luis Eça and Ronaldo Bôscoli). Maysa's version of "O Barquinho" is widely praised for its delicacy and emotion, offering a more intimate interpretation in contrast to other recordings of the era. The album also included the controversial "Depois do Amor", whose sensual lyrics were banned from some radio stations.
Legacy
Despite some initial resistance from certain critics and bossa nova enthusiasts, who viewed Maysa's change of style with suspicion, the album Barquinho solidified the singer's reputation as a versatile and timeless interpreter. Her version of "O Barquinho" became one of the most revered, contributing significantly to the song's status as one of bossa nova's greatest anthems. The song "O Barquinho" itself, which is the backbone of the album, transcended generations and borders, with approximately 3,000 versions recorded around the world. Its importance is such that it was included in Rolling Stone Brasil magazine's list of the "100 Maiores Músicas Brasileiras de Todos os Tempos" (100 Greatest Brazilian Songs of All Time), a recognition that Maysa helped to cement with her singular and deeply emotive interpretation.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
Roberto Côrte-Real
Tamba Trio
Films
Books
Analyses
Barquinho – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Maysa - Barquinho (1961) - musicasdonordeste.net
musicasdonordeste.net
Barquinho é o décimo primeiro álbum de estúdio de Maysa, lançado em 1961 pela Columbia Records e relançado em 2000 em formato de CD. O nome do disco se chamaria "Maysa e a Nova Onda" e chegou às lojas praticamente junto com seu antecessor, Maysa, Amor...
Barquinho (1961) Maysa - by Luciano Siqueira
meusdozemais.substack.com
Dona Lourdes gostava tanto de Maysa que o LP Barquinho, lançado em 1961, teve presença garantida em nossa casa. Produzido por Ronaldo Bôscoli, o álbum trazia o clássico homônimo da bossa nova, composto pelo próprio em parceria com Roberto Menescal.
Cliquemusic : Disco : BARQUINHO
cliquemusic.com.br
Mais um atestado de que a bossa nova não nasceu pronta nem se fez em um dia (e nem mesmo um ano). Este disco da cantora Maysa Monjardim (ex- Matarazzo) (1936-1977) foi gravado em 1960, dois anos depois da decolagem oficial do movimento através do disco 78 rotações Chega de Saudade de João Gilberto.
Cantinho da Bossa Nova: Maysa - LP Barquinho
cantinhodabossa.blogspot.com
O disco não foi aceito pela crítica e nem mesmo por alguns bossa-novistas, pois achavam que Maysa errara ao mudar seu estilo. Na contracapa do disco já havia a resposta da cantora. Ela escrevera que não abandonara a característica romântica e que estava apenas acrescentando a ela um toque moderno.
Discogs
Barquinho – Discogs
discogs.com