Audio Files: Jorge Ben "It Comes From The Willows"

I've been posting a lot of, 'downers' according to my inbox. If there were some emoticon for a nonchalant shrug I'd insert it here. So how about we enjoy some soulful music from Brazil?

One of the reasons why I got into freestyle rocking was because I was interested in samba, funk and other dance forms outside of hiphop. I'd hear compilations from Dusty Fingers, Vampi Soul and of course my pals over at Soul Strut. Eventually they all had this one voice, Jorge Duilio Lima Menezes. He was once known as Jorge Ben Jor, until a legal dispute about royalties with George Benson; another favorite.

Jorge Ben's "La Vem Salgueiro" translates to "It Comes From The Willows." My first introduction to samba-rock was this song. I wish I could tell you more about it, but in a way I'm kind of glad I can't. My Portuguese is abysmal and I've tried looking up lyric sheets for this, now, four decades-old song. I'm sure after me posting this I'll get pointed in the right direction.

My impression is that this is a song of rejoicing. The children singing in the background help raise the track, but also give it a certain somberness. The song sounds like it comes from pain, and who doesn't like music with baggage?

It could also be a song of celebration. Two decades after the original above, Jorge Ben would collaborate with Os Originais Do Samba. The song below definitely has a more festive and celebratory tone about it. I could honestly go on and on about this one song and Jorge Ben, but I just want you to enjoy some music. It's getting warmer out and gas is too high for you to be driving angry.