LUIZ GONZAGA AO VIVO - VOLTA PRA CURTIR

Luiz Gonzaga was a genius, and that is common knowledge in Brazil. His voice was powerful, the songwriting was eternal, the sanfona (a type of accordion) was very characteristic and the innate talent to incorporate the northeastern rhythms turned him into a one-of-a-kind artist. Twelve years after his death, it is possible to notice that Gonzaga is still on top of the style that he helped introducing to the minds and hearts of Brazilians: the baião and its variations. The considerations above can be checked out on the previously unreleased album Volta Pra Curtir, recorded live in 1972. Produced by Jorge Salomão, the concert turned into a disc reinforces the notion of Luiz Gonzaga as a master interpreter and songwriter.

The repertoire features some of his greatest classics, such as Asa Branca, Boiadeiro, Lorota Boa, Assum Preto, Respeita Januário, No Meu Pé de Serra, Estrada de Canindé, Juazeiro, Derramaro o Gai, Qui Nem Jiló, as well as more obscure gems like Ana Rosa (Humberto Teixeira), Hora do Adeus (Onildo Almeida/ Lula Queiroga), Adeus, Rio (Zé Dantas/ Luiz Gonzaga) and Aquilo Bom (Garotas do Leblon) (Luiz Gonzaga/ Severino Ramos). The new college forró generation should light up a candle in Gonzaga's memory every night.

(Rodrigo Faour)