Hermeto

 

Mourning

Hermeto

Produced by Flora Purim & Airto Moreira

Co-Produced by Tony May

All Selections Written by Hermeto

Arrangements by Hermeto

Conducted by Art Koenig & Hermeto

Engineered by Tony May

Recorded at A&R Recording Studios

Photography: Hal Wilson

Cobblestone CST 9000

Distributed by Buddah Records

1972

Personnel:

Strings - Clarke Selwart, Julien Barber, Alfred Brown, George Ricci, Kermit Moore, Gene Orloff, Max Pollikoff, Joseph Malignaggi, Winston Colymore, Gayle Dixon, Gerald Tarack, Paul Gershman, Mathew Rainmondi, Sanford Allen.

Woodwinds -  Joe Farrel, Jerry Douglas, Arthur Clarke, Hubert Laws, Maurice Smith, Harold Jones, Leon Cohen, Jerome Richardson.

Trombone - Garnet Brown, Wayne Andre, Jack Jeffers, Richard Hixson

Trumpet - Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Gene Young, Ernie Royal, Melvin Davis

Tuba: - Don Butterfield 

Bass - Ron Carter

Drums & Percussion - Airto Moreira

Keyboards & Flute Solos - Hermeto

From the back cover: It is very difficult – almost impossible to explain or describe music – music must be played – it must be felt – it must be shared. So instead of trying to explain the music, we will discuss the man which we feel will enable you to understand the music.

Hermeto was born in a small village in the northeastern section of Brazil where the sun shines most of the time – where the temperature usually reaches 104 degrees and where sometimes a full year will pass without rain.

Music and dance were practically the only amusement for the people, Hermeto, together with his father and brother performed in what was known as the best of the many groups in town. Their reputation was so well known that they would travel by horseback to play in nearby towns. Hermeto then moved to the city of Recife where he, his brother (Jose Neto) and Sivuca (now a musician with Herry Belafonte) put together a group called "The World Is On Fire". The name of the group came easily because the music was hot and the three of them were Albinos.

I met Hermeto in S. Paulo in 1959 and we played together until 1968 at which time I came to the U.S.

Even though Hermeto is an accomplished musician with keyboards, guitar, and the flute, he never had a formal musical education. He is in my opinion the best and most up to date Brazilian arranger.

I would like to especially  call your attention to the song Velorio (Mourning) where he used 36 apple juice bottles tuned with water, to reach the special sound you hear on this cut.

This is Hermeto the man – for the music of Hermeto you must listen. – Airto Moreira

Yogurt (Coalhada)

Hermeto

Bells (Guizos) - Vocals by Googie

The Love Flower (Flor Do Amor)

Pliers (Alicate) - Vocals by Flora Purim

Morning (Velorio)

The Marianas (As Marinanas) - Vocals  by Flora Purim & Airto Moreira

Fabiola