Abel Ferreira, a distinguished member of the selected fraternity of the chorões in the direct lineage of Luís Americano, recorded for the Todamérica label, around 1949, the songs included in this RGE compilation. The quality of the remastering is not good, and the sound is impaired, but one can discern clearly all instruments; there are scratches and a general lack of depth and low harmonics, though. Anyway, this is a great document.
Ferreira was a remarkable clarinetist and composer, and this CD is a rare opportunity to catch with his works, which, as usual in Brazil, are mostly out of print. The accompaniment is versatile: not only
Ferreira is backed by the typical choro regional (seven string guitar, violão, cavaquinho, percussion), but also by a gafieira orchestra. The unorthodox approach included even a jazzy guitar in a couple of tracks. Included here are
Ferreira's greatest hits, recorded by many choro artists: "Chorando Baixinho," "Acariciando," "Doce Melodia," "Galo Garnizé," "Mexidinho," and "Melancolia." A curiosity: his compositions "Baiãozinho Bom" and "O Avião," opportunistic incursions in the territory opened by the northeastern baião creator Luís Gonzaga, are alien to carioca musicians like
Ferreira. Other non-choro compositions are "Louco de Amor" (Norival Reis), a romantic bolero, and "Minha Vida" (Antônio Almeida), a fusion of bolero with samba-canção. All the other 12 tracks are faithful to the choro tradition and constitute excellent material both for an introduction and for experienced collecting as well. ~ Alvaro Neder