Bebadosamba
Paulinho da Viola
1996
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Bebadosamba, released in 1996, represents a high point in Paulinho da Viola's discography, reaffirming his status as one of the greatest masters of samba and MPB. The album's title, with its singular lyricism and intelligence, explores a double meaning: it can signify being "drunk on samba", completely immersed and captivated by the music, or an invitation to "drink from samba", to delve into and experience this rich Brazilian tradition. This work is a sophisticated celebration of samba's essence, with Paulinho da Viola in top form, delivering compositions that range from original works to tributes to great names of the genre. His calm and elegant voice, coupled with exquisite arrangements, provides an auditory experience that exalts the poetry and depth of samba, distancing it from clichés and reaffirming its timelessness and cultural relevance.
Context
The release of Bebadosamba occurred after a seven-year hiatus during which Paulinho da Viola had not recorded an album of new material, since Eu Canto Samba (1989). Since the mid-1980s, Paulinho had slowed down the pace of releases, prioritising the quality of the repertoire and recording. However, the success of Marisa Monte's re-recording of "Dança da Solidão" in 1994 seemed to indicate the opportune moment for the sambista's return to the mainstream media with new work. Paulinho da Viola, son of guitarist Benedicto Cesar Ramos de Faria, grew up in a musical environment, associating with great names of choro and samba from an early age, shaping his musical sensibility and refinement.
Recording
The album Bebadosamba was recorded and mixed in 1996, featuring the production of Alexandre Raine and artistic direction by Sergio de Carvalho. Paulinho da Viola actively participated in the arrangements, as well as playing guitar and cavaquinho on several tracks. The album's credits highlight the presence of renowned musicians such as Cristóvão Bastos on piano, Dininho on double bass, Celsinho Silva on pandeiro, and César Faria, Paulinho's father, on guitar. The album's booklet featured illustrations by artist Elifas Andreato, known for his work on covers for various Brazilian artists, adding significant aesthetic value to the work.
Songs
The 14 tracks on Bebadosamba present a rich tapestry of sambas and choros, with lyrics that explore a passion for the genre, everyday life, and love. The title track, "Bebadosamba", is a declaration of love and a moving tribute to the great masters of samba, citing names such as Cartola, Pixinguinha, Noel Rosa, Ismael Silva, Nelson Cavaquinho, among others, and highlighting samba's cathartic and unifying role. "Alento", composed by Paulo César Pinheiro, is a samba-canção with touches of bossa nova, permeated by melancholic and reflective verses. The album also features partnerships with other great lyricists, such as Hermínio Bello de Carvalho on "Timoneiro" and Elton Medeiros on "Ame".
Legacy
Bebadosamba was widely acclaimed by critics and the public upon its release, being considered a classic since its emergence. The album's impact led to a highly successful run of shows at Canecão, in Rio de Janeiro, which had to be extended due to high demand. These shows culminated in the release of the live album Bebadachama in 1997. The album was honoured with multiple awards, winning five trophies at the Sharp Awards in the year of its release, including "Best Samba Album" and "Best Samba Arranger" for Paulinho da Viola. Bebadosamba further cemented Paulinho da Viola's image as a sophisticated sambista and a guardian of the genre's authenticity, influencing generations of musicians and MPB enthusiasts with his poetry and elegance.
Tracks
Credits
Alexandre Raine
Sérgio De Carvalho
César Faria, Dino 7 Cordas
Ricardo Pontes
Dininho
Luciana Rabello
Alceu De Almeida Reis
Dirceu Leite
Carlos Hercules, Wilson das Neves
Carlos Malta
Paulinho Da Viola
Celsinho Silva
Cristóvão Bastos
Zé Nogueira
Mário Sève
Cabelinho
Macaé
Vittor Santos
Nilton Rodrigues
Elifas Andreato
Videos
"Bebadosamba" - Paulinho da Viola | Melhores discos brasileiros dos anos 90 | Alta Fidelidade"
Alta Fidelidade
Films
Paulinho da Viola - Série Grandes Nomes TV Globo
Paulinho da Viola - Série Grandes Nomes TV Globo
1980
The program brings a career resume of the Samba's master Paulinho da Viola playing classics of MPB like "Sinal Fechado"(Closed Signal), "Nervos de Aço" (Nerves of Steel), "Pecado Capital", "Foi um rio que passou em minha vida" (It was a river that passed in My Life), "Cantando para não chorar" (Singing for not cry) and many others.
Paulinho da Viola: Meu Tempo É Hoje
2004
Documentary about Brazilian samba songwriter and singer Paulinho da Viola, one of the most sophisticated musicians of the genre. The film shows his biography, influences, masters and friends, as well his simple and peculiar way of life, with activities like restoring old cars, working with wood, playing billiards.
Books
Os 500 Maiores Álbuns Brasileiros de Todos os Tempos
Ricardo Alexandre · 2022
The largest Brazilian music election ever conducted: 162 specialists, spanning journalists, critics, musicians, producers and podcasters, each nominated 50 essential albums, supported by a masterlist of more than 2,000 works. Led by Ricardo Alexandre with tabulation by Sérgio Jomori, it was published in December 2022 as a 200-page hardcover book with graphic design by Fernando Pires.
Timoneiro
Alexandre Pavan · 2006
Considered the most complete and acclaimed biography of Paulinho da Viola, "Timoneiro" traces the life and career of the samba artist in depth. The book explores his work, influences, the context of his albums, and his creative process, dedicating significant attention to works such as "Bebadosamba" (1996).
Ensaiando a Canção – Paulinho da Viola e Outros Escritos
This book is a collection of texts and essays that explore the work and creative process of Paulinho da Viola, covering various aspects of his career and songs. It is highly probable that it contains relevant analyses about the period of the album "Bebadosamba" (1996).
Analyses
Paulinho da Viola: Bebadosamba - Música Brasileira
musicabrasileira.org
Samba High! With 25 albums in his recording career, Paulinho da Viola is one of Brazil's most beloved and accomplished samba composers. The time he spends in a recording studio has, however, decreased in these past 10 years. He recorded an album in Germany in 1993 and then in 1996 he came back to Brazilian studios with Bebadosamba, a collection of 14 sambas, choros and even a maxixe. Between ...
Bebadosamba | Paulinho Da Viola
paulinho-da-violalx.bandcamp.com
about ah man, that Bebadosamba album by Paulinho Da Viola? total vibe, right? just flows like samba at sunset 🌆 and if you're feelin' that groove, or wanna dive into similar chill, soulful beats - well, it's all there, waitin'… just hit up mp3go.top/1wmch 💿🔥
"Bebadosamba" (BMG, 1996), Paulinho da Viola
discosessenciais.blogspot.com
A hiatus separates the albums Eu Canto Samba (1989) and Bebadosamba (1996), two acclaimed and award-winning albums by the samba artist Paulinho da Viola. The acclaim for these two works did not prevent Paulinho from going almost a decade without recording an album.
Criatura de Sebo: Bebadosamba - 1996 - Paulinho da Viola
criaturadesebo.blogspot.com
This album was recorded after a 7-year hiatus. Bebadosamba is a very well-produced and recognised album. The repertoire includes songs authored by Paulinho, collaborations, and diverse interpretations, spanning distinct samba styles and maxixe.
Cliquemusic : Disco : BEBADOSAMBA
cliquemusic.com.br
4 Alento (Paulo César Pinheiro) 5 É dificil viver assim (Paulinho da Viola) 6 O ideal é competir (Casquinha, Candeia) 7 Novos rumos (Rochinha) 8 Memórias conjugais (Paulinho da Viola) 9 Reverso da paixão (Paulinho da Viola) 10 Dama de "espadas" (Paulinho da Viola) 11 Solução de vida (Ferreira Gullar, Paulinho da Viola) 12 Peregrino (Noca ...
