Piraretã
Tetê
1980
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Piraretã, released in 1980, marks Tetê Espíndola's solo debut and stands out as a unique work in MPB, innovatively blending Pantanal regionalism with elements of rock, mediaeval, and mystical sounds. The album is notable for its almost entirely acoustic approach and for transporting the listener to a bucolic and natural atmosphere, an intrinsic characteristic of Tetê's artistic identity. Tetê's peculiarly high-pitched, metallic, and in-tune voice, which would later earn her the moniker of 'mulher-pássaro' or 'pássaros na garganta' from the poet Augusto de Campos, is one of the pillars that define the album's sound, giving it unique originality. This work reveals itself as a sensitive portrait of the Pantanal, addressing its natural richness and the urgency of environmental preservation, reinforcing the artist's deep connection with her homeland, Mato Grosso do Sul.
Context
Before Piraretã, Tetê Espíndola had already forged a significant musical path, coming from a family of talented musicians from Mato Grosso do Sul. She began her career by joining the group Luz Azul and, subsequently, Tetê & o Lírio Selvagem, which released an acclaimed album in 1978 via Polygram/Philips. Her experience with these groups and her collaboration with the composer Arrigo Barnabé before her first solo work were crucial for consolidating her rustic, Pantanal-inspired style, which would become her trademark.
Recording
The album Piraretã was recorded on 16 channels at Estúdios Reunidos, in São Paulo, demonstrating careful production for its time. Production and studio direction was handled by Marcos Maynard, with Roberto Marques responsible for recording and mixing, and Rafael Tartaglio as production assistant. The album's characteristic sound is enriched by the utilisation of instruments considered 'atypical' for the musical landscape of the era, such as craviola, violão, viola caipira (played by Almir Sater), charango, marimba, Paraguayan harp, and rabeca. This instrumentation, combined with fantastic vocal arrangements, contributed to the album's sui generis atmosphere and textural richness.
Songs
The songs on Piraretã are a mosaic of original compositions, many in partnership with her siblings, and significant reinterpretations. The title track, "Piraretã", composed by Tetê and Celito Espíndola, is a vivid panorama of the Pantanal, with lyrics detailing the local fauna and flora and expressing admiration for, and a warning about, environmental preservation. Other highlights include the interpretation of Gilberto Gil's "Refazenda", with beautiful arrangements, and the brilliant version of The Beatles' "Blackbird", renamed as "Melro" by Carlos Rennó, which maintained the essence of the original with a poetic adaptation. The album also features "Tamarana", by Arrigo and Paulo Barnabé, with Arrigo's peculiar vocal interventions, and re-recordings of Chico Buarque and Milton Nascimento's "O Cio da Terra", and Tião Carreiro, Carlito and Lourival dos Santos' "Matogrossense". The track "Vida Cigana", by Geraldo Espíndola, is another notable composition on the album.
Tracks
Credits
Almir Sater, Arrigo Barnabé, Claudio Leal Ferreira, Geraldo Espíndola, Geraldo Espíndola, Tetê Espíndola
Rafael Tartaglio
Luiz Carlos Maluly
Marcos Maynard
Alzira Espindola, Geraldo Espíndola, Zé Eduardo Nazario
Edson Meireles
Roberto Marques
Mariano Martins
Aldo Luiz
Mario Luiz Thompson
Penna Prearo
Analyses
Criatura de Sebo: Piraretã - 1980 - Tetê Espíndola - Blogger
criaturadesebo.blogspot.com
This is Tetê's debut album. After participating in recording sessions and shows with Arrigo Barnabé, and following the family production on Lírio Selvagem, Piraretã consolidates her high-pitched voice and rustic, Pantanal, rock, and rural style, which would define this young woman's career.
Discos Escondidos #084: Tetê Espíndola - Piraretã (1980)
ojardimeletrico.com
Filled with fantastic songs, Piraretã is an unmissable album of 80s music and one of the highlights of the discography of one of the most iconic Brazilian singers. From the album, I highlight the tracks: Piraretã, Cunhataiporã, Refazenda, Tamarana, O Cio da Terra, Vida Cigana, Beija-flor, and Matogrossense.
Tetê Espíndola - Piraretã (1980) | Toque Musical
toque-musicall.com
Our encounter today is with Tetê Espíndola, one of my favourite singers of my generation. Indeed, calling her just a singer is an understatement; she is a tremendous artist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, possessing a unique voice, a true 'bird-woman' who silences anyone else to listen to her.
Tetê Espíndola - Piraretã - 1980
jonnnasci.wixsite.com
"Piraretã" – this is the name of the singer's second solo career album. In a few words, how would I define this work? Hypnotising? Enchanting? I would probably use half a dozen more adjectives and end the post, but let's go further, let's talk about the work...
Disco de Estreia de Tetê Espíndola | PDF | Música popular - Scribd
pt.scribd.com
The document presents Tetê Espíndola's debut album 'Piraretã', released in 1980, highlighting its fusion of styles such as rock and rural music. It includes a tracklist and involved musicians, as well as comments on the album's importance and its re-recordings.
