This week, I’ve had Rosa Passos’ version of “É Luxo Só” #OnRepeat on my computer. I’ve been working on putting together a trio that plays Brazilian music, some Jazz, and Funk, but I just can’t get this song from the set list out of my head.
Rosa Passos is a guitarist and singer/songwriter from Brazil. Her major influences are Dorival Caymmi (father of Nana Caymmi) and Joao Gilberto. You can hear these influences in the way she sings, especially in how she plays with rhythm–a common feature in Gilberto’s singing. Many of her well-known songs are actually Brazilian standards like, “Aquarela do Brasil,” but “É Luxo Só” is by far my favorite.
“É Luxo Só” is a simple song that repeats over and over again, describing how elegant a woman looks when she dances. It’s interesting to note that when the word, “samba,” is used in the song, it is used interchangeably–“samba” can mean the specific dance that you might see performed during Carnival or it can also be used as slang to mean simply, dancing.
I have also heard Joao Gilberto’s version of this song, but it doesn’t have the same impact as Rosa’s version. Rosa Passos gives the song an intimate, warm feel that isn’t heard in Gilberto’s version (this is saying a lot since I admire Joao Gilberto as a singer and performer because of his vulnerability, tenderness, and the intimate nature of his playing). I also really dig when she plays with the rhythm of the melody and the lyrical phrasing, making the song groove harder and giving the song a care-free feel.
What do you guys think of the song and Rosa Passos? If you have any new singers or groups to check out, leave a comment below!
