Tonight's music is Mas Que Nada, as performed by Sergio M
endes and Brasil 66. There are so many things to love about this song.
It's full of excitement and power and yet subtle, elegant. Compare
the chorus with the verse - marvelous contrast. There are only 3 instruments
and a tambourine but so much power. And at the same time so, so smooth...like
butter. Music was in such a state of flux in the 60s and 70s in the days
before radio program formatting, the first song would be jazz, the next
rock, then Elvis, and then 'Dead Skunk in the middle of the Road'
(look it up). Lots of pop jazz and latin music around, 'Take Five,
'Girl from Ipanema'. Sergio is so tasty on the piano, wonderful
licks and organic comping. Musically, notice nobody steps on anyone else,
lots of space. Also my favorite foreign language, Brazilian Portuguese. Sweet.
