Beth Carvalho (1946-2014)

Beth Carvalho, one of Brazil's most beloved singers whose zesty, alto voice neatly engaged the booming churn of the samba, died in Rio de Janeiro on April 30. She was 72.

On her many albums dating back to 1969, Carvalho's vocals surfed the samba's percussion and driving guitar perfectly. Her lilting vocals coasted atop the heavy samba beat and seemed to be sailing speedily across a wind-chopped surface.

While the bossa nova in the 1960s was a soft folk form noted for its delicate beat, lyricism and whispery vocals, the sensual music was largely an export. This was especially true after the military overthrow of the Brazilian government in 1964, when many bossa nova stars left the country for commercial opportunities abroad or did not return. At home, the samba remained the music of the people. 

Here a handful of my favorites by Beth Carvalho...

Here's Fechei a Parta from Carvalho's album Andança in 1969...



Here's Homenagem a Nelson Cavaquinho from Canto por um novo dia in 1973...



Here's Agora É Portela 74 from Pra seu governo in 1974...



Here's Vingança from Nos Botequins da Vida in 1977...



And here's perhaps Carvalho's most famous song, Andança (Ao Vivo), from Ao Vivo No Olympia in 1991...



Bonus: Here's Carvalho singing Andança in concert...



And here's a video running more than an hour of an exquisite Carvalho performance. Listen to the washing-machine churn of the samba...