A female forro star from the 1950s and '60s, Marines ("and her people") recorded several albums for RCA, and continued on for several years as a popular regional artist. Born Ines de Oliveira Farias, this Pernambucan powerhouse had an appealing, childish, spunky voice, and a playful musical approach that stands in welcome contrast to the more severe, manic style of forro's biggest star, Luiz Gonzaga. Here's a quick look at her work...
Marines E Sua Gente "Vamos Xaxar" (Sinter, 1957)
Marines E Sua Gente "Aquarela Nordestina" (Sinter, 1959)
Marines E Sua Gente "...E Sua Gente" (RCA Victor, 1960)
Marines E Sua Gente "O Nordeste E Seu Ritmo" (RCA, 1961)
I admit, I didn't have high hopes for this album, but I was pleasantly surprised. A female forro star from the 1950s and '60s, "regional" artist Marines ("and her people") recorded several albums for RCA, and if this one is any indication, I'll have to track a few more down and check 'em out. Born Ines de Oliveira Farias, the Pernambucan singer known as Marines had an appealing, childish, spunky voice, and a playful musical approach that stands in welcome contrast to the more severe, manic style of forro's biggest star, Luiz Gonzaga. This has a softer, more melodic feel, and is a record you can listen to and really get into... Fun stuff, definitely worth a spin.
Marines E Sua Gente "Coisas Do Norte" (RCA, 1963)
Another enjoyable set of bouncy, ebullient forro from the pixie-voiced Marines... In addition to being just plain fun to listen to, this album is notable for including over a half-dozen early compositions by songwriter Joao Do Vale, who at the time was poised to attain fame as one of the architects of the bossa nova stage show called Opinao, which catapulted both Maria Bethania and Nara Leao into national stardom. Interesting to hear Do Vale working in the more narrow confines of the "regional" music world... and to hear how good he was at it! Nice stuff.
Marines E Sua Gente "Siu, Siu, Siu" (RCA, 1964)
Another great album... Fun, lively, a melodic treat, with an even richer production palette than her earlier albums. Guess I'll have to track down more of her stuff!
Marines E Sua Gente "Meu Benzim" (RCA, 1964)
Marines E Sua Gente "Maria Coisa" (RCA, 1965)
Marines E Sua Gente "Marines" (CBS, 1967)
Marines E Sua Gente "Mandacaru" (CBS, 1968)
Marines E Sua Gente "Vamos Rodar Roda" (CBS, 1969)
(Produced by Abidas)
Marines E Sua Gente "Raizes Nordestinas" (EMI, 2004)
Marines E Sua Gente "Maxximum" (Sony-BMG, 2005)
