Flautist Carlos Poyares (1928-2004) was one the key figures in modern choro music. Poyares was a radio performer in the 1950s, and has recorded dozens of albums over the years, often returning to the simple tin flute he learned to play as a child. Here's a quick look at a few of his albums...
Carlos Poyares "Som De Prata Em Flauta De Lata" (1965) (LP)
Carlos Poyares/Various Artists "Samba Pede Passagem" (Polydor, 1966) (LP)
This is really primarily a vocal album featuring singers Aracy De Almeida and Ismael Silva, though Carlos Poyares gets special billing on the cover, as does the vocal group, MPB-4. The album features highlights from "Samba Pede Passagem," a concert show staged in December, 1965 by Grupo Opiniao, an offshoot of the theatrical production "Opiniao," notably including Sidney Miller and his Grupo Mensagem. The show had an emphasis on old-school samba, and also featured several traditionally-oriented samba groups such as Conjunto Samba Autentico and Os Partideiros, a "partido alto" ensemble, both with ties to the Mangueira samba school. The first side focusses more on Aracy and Ismael Silva, including their recreation of "Polemica Wilson Batista vs. Noel Rosa," a legendary musical showdown from the golden era of samba cancao which could be considered a sort of precursor or corollary to the rap battles of the hip-hop scene. Side Two of the LP gave more space to the lesser-known artists, and in particular the street-samba performers, as well as to Poyares, who is spotlighted on a couple of tracks.
Carlos Poyares "Gente De Seresta" (GPG Musicais, 1970) (LP)
Carlos Poyares "Tico-Tico Na Fuba" (Tropicana Records, 1972) (LP)
Carlos Poyares "O Som Maravilhoso Da Flauta De Carlos Poyares" (AMC, 1973) (LP)
Carlos Poyares "Brasil, Seresta" (Discos Marcus Pereira, 1975) (LP)
(Produced by Aluizio Falcao & J. C. Botezelli)
Delicious, laid-back instrumentals from choro flautist Carlos Poyares, moving through the works of Altamiro Carrilho, Jose Maria de Abreu and the romantic style of crooners such as Silvio Caldas. Lovely, elegant stuff, with restrained accompaniment on cavaquinho, bandolim and guitar. Mooshy music, in a very good way.
Carlos Poyares "Som De Prata, Flauta De Lata" (Discos Marcus Pereira, 1975) (LP)
(Produced by Carolina Andrade)
This one's a little more manic and songbird-ish (in the flute) but still lovely, classy material. Recommended!
Carlos Poyares & Altamiro Carrilho "Pixinguinha De Novo" (Discos Marus Pereira/EMI, 1975) (LP)
(Produced by Carolina Andrade, Luis Alberto Ferri & Max Pierre)
A pretty-sounding, mellowed-out modern interpretation of classic Pixinguinha material. Flautists Carrilho and Poyares appear to trade off as soloists, although the liner notes don't make clear which one is playing where, or on which songs. The backing is simple, elegant, standard-issue choro fare: guitar, bandolim and percussion, though all are well in the background, leaving the spotlight on the flute work, which is uniformly trilling and sweet. Maybe a bit too tame, but mostly quite lovely.
Carlos Poyares "Revendo A Flauta Os Bons Tempos Do Chorinho" (Equipe Records, 1977) (LP)
(Produced by Joao Lara Mesquita, arrangements by Carlos Poyares)
Beautiful, beautiful choro instrumentals from master flautist Carlos Poyares, whose supple phrasing and sweet tones are readily recognizable from about a bazillion recordings that he's taken part in. As a bandleader, he's tops: the backing musicians are largely players whose names I didn't recognize, but they are all on the right wavelength, perfectly matching Poyares' soulful lead. Like many choro albums, a little can go a long way, so you might want to mix these rich, glorious gems in with some other songs, just to break things up a little. But you will love this record.
Carlos Poyares "Chao Da Gente: Temas Inspirados Em Cidades E Recantos Do Brasil" (Discos Marcus Pereira, 1977) (LP)
Carlos Poyares "Flauta De Lata" (Clam Records, 1978) (LP)
Carlos Poyares "Real Historia Do Choro Por Carlos Poyares" (Clam Records, 1979) (LP)
Carlos Poyares "Som De Prata" (Polydor, 1980) (LP)
(Produced by Carolina Andrade)
Carlos Poyares "O Regional Brasileiro Na Musica Dos Beatles" (Polydor, 1980) (LP)
A Beatles tribute album, filtered through the lens of Brazilain regional music... Carlos Poyares plays flute (of course!) along with Isaias De Almeida (mandolin), Israel De Almeida (cavaquinho and guitar) and pianist Mozar Terra (of Quarteto Livre).
Carlos Poyares "O Choro Do Rei: Carlos Poyares Interpreta Roberto Carlos" (Discos Marcus Pereira, 1981) (LP)
Carlos Poyares "Seresta A Moda Antiga" (Discos Marcus Pereira, 1980) (LP)
Carlos Poyares "No Clube Do Choro" (Discos Marcus Pereira, 1984) (LP)
