Singer and movie star Nora Ney (nee Iracema de Sousa Ferreira, 1922-2003) was one of the major figures of the "radio singers" era of the 1950s, performing samba-cancao on the air, as well as recording several albums and 78s, in a career that spanned several decades. She was also known for her duets with her husband Jorge Goulart, and for her interpretations of classic songs by composers such as Ary Barroso and Dorival Caymmi. Here's a quick look at her work...
Nora Ney "Canta Nora Ney" (Continental Records, 1955) (LP)
Like many artists of the "radio singer" era, Nora Ney released much of her earliest work on 78rpm singles, with her first full album coming out several years after her recording career began. This was her first LP, and includes several of her earlier hits, most notably the songs "Menino Grande" and "Quanto Tempo Faz," which were paired together on her first single, back in 1951, as well as "Onde Anda Voce," which came out in 1953, and "O Que Foi Que Eu Fiz," from '54. I'm not sure if the Continental label reissued the original hits, or had her re-record new versions for this album; both practices were common for artists of this era.
Nora Ney "Nora Ney" (RCA Victor, 1958) (LP)
Nora Ney "Ninguem Me Ama" (RCA Victor, 1960) (LP)
Nora Ney/Clementina De Jesus/Cyro Monteiro "Mudando De Converso" (Imperial Records, 1968) (LP)
Nora Ney "Tire Seu Sorriso Do Caminho Que Eu Quero Passar Com A Minha Dor" (Som Livre, 1972) (LP)
(Produced by Joao Mello & Fustaquio Sena; arrangements by Guio De Moraes)
A star of the radio singer era, Nora Ney's artistic prime encompassed live, on-air performances and 78rpm singles... In this album she revisited the songs she made famous, with modern recordings that wowed many fans. Her well-aged voice is remarkably masculine, but her phrasing and bearing are confident and regal; the arrangements are alternately prosaic and majestic, with the better tracks providing a nice legacy for this venerable performer. Grand, torchy, nostalgic ballads, very old-school, perhaps even a bit dour... Probably not for everyone, but if you're delving into the pre-bossa stuff, this is worth checking out.
Nora Ney & Jorge Goulart "Jubileu De Prata" (Som Livre, 1977) (LP)
Nora Ney "Meu Cantar E Tempestade De Saudade" (3M, 1987) (LP)
Nora Ney "Mestres Da MPB" (Warner, 1994)
Nora Ney "Acervo Especial" (BMG, 1994)
Nora Ney & Jorge Goulart "Nora Ney & Jorge Goulart" (InterCD, 2000)
Older recordings by two romantic balladeers of the pre-bossa nova "radio singer" era; although Ney and Goulart did record and perform together throughout several decades, these ten songs are all solo efforts, not duets -- four by Ney, six by Goulart. Some of it's really fun, in a super-corny, kitschy kinda way; some of the songs are way over the top and too goopy. This cheapo reissue package is worth checking out, just to get a sense of the style of the times, although you can't help but feel these artists could be better served by more extensive, better programmed selections.
Nora Ney & Jorge Goulart "Amor, Meu Grande Amor" (Revivendo, 2000)
Nora Ney "Nova Serie" (Warner, 1993)
Nora Ney "Grandes Vozes" (Som Livre, 2007)
I'm not sure if this best-of set draws on her older '78s, or the re-recordings Ney did in the early '70s for the Som Livre label... Or even a combination of both? If I find out, I'll be sure to let you know.
