Long before Caetano Veloso and his Salvadoran cohorts plugged in and went all hippie-crazy, the Bahian duo of Dodo & Osmar (Antonio Adolfo Nascimento and Osmar Alvares Macedo) had pioneered the use of electric guitars in Brazilian popular culture, inventing the "trio eletrico," where amplified sounds blasted from Bahian Carnaval floats. They started this tradition way back in 1950 -- nearly a decade ahead of the jovem guarda rock fad that brought electrified music into the Brazilian mainstream and, indeed, several years before rock and roll developed up North in the United States. In later years they were joined by Osmar's son, guitarist/mandolin player Armandinho, who also co-founded the Bahian pop band A Cor Do Som. Here's a quick look at Dodo & Osmar's work...
Dodo E Osmar "Jubileu De Prata" (Warner, 1974)
Although the trio eletricos continue to this day, this mid-'70s album was already a bit of a nostalgia curio by the time it came out. And, while it is a nice document of this unique sound, and the pioneers that created it, the music itself is a bit static and blaring. Not really an album you'd want to put on for relaxation, but nice as a reference point if you're delving into Brazilian pop culture: in particular, you can hear where guitarist Moraes Moreira (of the group Novos Baianos) have gotten some of his ideas.
Trio Eletrico Dodo E Osmar "E A Massa" (Continental, 1976)
Trio Eletrico Dodo E Osmar "Pombo Correio" (Continental, 1977) (LP)
Trio Eletrico Dodo E Osmar "Ligacao" (Continental, 1978)
Trio Eletrico Dodo E Osmar "Viva Dodo E Osmar" (Continental, 1979)
Trio Eletrico Dodo E Osmar "Vassourinha Eletrica" (WEA-Elektra, 1980) (LP)
Trio Eletrico Dodo E Osmar "Incendiou O Brasil" (WEA-Elektra, 1981) (LP)
Trio Eletrico Dodo E Osmar "Folia Eletrica" (Som Livre, 1983) (LP)
Trio Eletrico Dodo E Osmar "A Banda De Carmen Miranda" (Som Livre, 1984) (LP)
Although the "trio eletrico" sound propels the album's pace, it is largely a rock-flavored showcase for Armandinho's electric guitar and cavaqhuinho work, which is itself very propulsive and assertive. I have to confess: I am too weak and unable to withstand this one -- it's too brazen and unsubtle for me. But for folks into this branch of Bahian party music, I'm sure this one's a doozy.
Trio Eletrico Armandinho, Dodo E Osmar "Chame Gente" (RCA, 1985)
On these two albums (rereleased together on a single CD) the manic pace of Dodo & Osmar's "trio eletrico" sound is slightly tempered by a greater melodic and stylistic range, though it's still a pretty weird, challenging sound. Kind of like Rush backing up Luiz Gonzaga, with a bit of a disco undertow. The Chame Gente album features guest appearances by Luiz Gonzaga, as well as Elba Ramalho, Moraes Moreira and Caetano Veloso -- it's manic, much musically solid, something to check out of you like stuff that sounds just plain weird and unlike most other music you've heard. The 1987 followup album is a bit tackier, but it branches out into reggae and funk, and is a little closer in spirit to the axe scene of the time.
Trio Eletrico Dodo E Osmar "Ai Eu Liguri O Radio" (RCA, 1987)
On these two albums (rereleased together on a single CD) the manic pace of Dodo & Osmar's "trio eletrico" sound is slightly tempered by a greater melodic and stylistic range, though it's still a pretty weird, challenging sound. Kind of like Rush backing up Luiz Gonzaga, with a bit of a disco undertow. The Chame Gente album features guest appearances by Luiz Gonzaga, as well as Elba Ramalho, Moraes Moreira and Caetano Veloso -- it's manic, much musically solid, something to check out of you like stuff that sounds just plain weird and unlike most other music you've heard. The 1987 followup album is a bit tackier, but it branches out into reggae and funk, and is a little closer in spirit to the axe scene of the time.
Trio Eletrico Dodo E Osmar "Trio Espacial" (CBS, 1988) (LP)
Trio Eletrico Dodo E Osmar "Estado De Graca" (RGE, 1992)
Trio Eletrico Dodo E Osmar "Jubileu De Ouro: Armandinho & Trio Eletrico Dodo E Osmar" (Geleia Geral, 2000)
Trio Eletrico Dodo E Osmar "e-Collection" (WEA, 2002)
