Michael Ross Has A Jazzy, Refreshing Take On A Bossa Nova Classic
Agua De Beber by Michael Ross Review, plus the amazing story behind the song.
Even now, 67 years after its birth by João Gilberto’s voice and guitar, Bossa Nova continues to surprise by reinventing itself.
Chicago’s Michael Ross and his EP ‘The Tribute’ provide a perfect Brazilian jazz example. The singer and guitarist has transformed Antonio Carlos Jobim’s ‘Agua De Beber’ by doing what all great musicians do. He allowed the song to merge with his own artistic inspiration and then he let creativity do the rest.
“‘Agua De Beber’ has its own great musical qualities,” says Ross. “So, I thought, ‘How can I bring myself into this song, give it a new perspective, and put more life into it?’ ‘Agua De Beber’ means ‘Water to Drink’, and one cannot survive without water. I wanted to understand the story of the song.”
And here it is.
The Hidden Story Behind Agua De Beber by Michael Ross
It was 1959, and the new capital of Brasilia was being constructed in the wilderness of the country’s interior. Jobim and lyricist Vinicius de Moraes were there to compose a symphony for Brasilia’s inauguration.
One night, they heard the sound of running water. So, they asked a nearby guard, “What’s that sound of water here?” He replied, “Você não sabe não? Agua de beber, camará. (“Don’t you know? It’s water to drink, buddy.”)
According to Wikipedia, engineer Kléber Farias Pinto overheard the conversation, and “was one of the first to hear the song, sung by Tom Jobim and Vinícius hours after composing it. To prove that the story is true, he still keeps a written statement from Tom Jobim himself.”
Later, Norman Gimbel added English lyrics that closely mirror the original Portuguese: Your love is rain, my heart the flower. I need your love or I will die. My very life is in your power. Will I wither and fade or bloom to the sky?
And now you know how ‘Agua De Beber’ came to be.
Catching Up With Agua De Beber By Michael Ross
Just as he did with his 2023 hit ‘Secret Entrance To Your Heart’, Michael Ross’s voice and guitar bring a fresh vibrancy to ‘Agua De Beber’. Recently, I caught up with him to ask a few questions, and I was surprised to learn that he has Al Jarreau to thank for the inspiration.
Jarreau turned to Brazilian jazz several times during his incredible career, including ‘Mas Que Nada’, Dori Caymmi’s ‘Like A Lover’, and ‘Double Face’ with Eumir Deodato.
“Al Jarreau has been one of my favorite male vocalists,’ recalls Ross. “His rhythmic and driving approach captured my ear to this song. He delivers the song with relentless scatting, yet not forgetting to keep the emphasis on the lyrics. I thought that was very impressive. It inspired me to put my spin on it.”
How did you come to create this Urban Bossa arrangement?
“It’s actually an intimately romantic piece, and the lyrics needed to carry emphasis with passion, while adding strings, brass, and percussive sounds, and then treating it with a sincere acoustic guitar solo, adding more passion, the arrangement starts to come alive.”
The Tribute: From Al Jarreau To Joe Sample
Your EP ‘The Tribute’ also includes a smooth jazz nod to Joe Sample, whose Brazilian jazz connections included Ivan Lins (with the Crusaders) and Randy Crawford for a remake of ‘Rio de Janeiro Blue’. How did you come to choose ‘A Rainy Day In Monterey’?
“Joe Sample has given us an array of great compositions, I felt, while being on the subject of water, and because the need for water is essential, the rain becomes a sign of cleansing that starts a new beginning or reviving of a relationship. A rainy day, whether you are in Monterey or Brazil, can have a refreshing ending.”
Was that the desire for a thematic companion song for ‘Agua De Beber’?
“After learning the true meaning of the song, I felt that I wanted to be able to express the deep relationship between two individuals, the feeling of loss without one’s love, and to be able to express the thirst of need that allows you to continue, which is powerful.”
You’ve opened up the sound on these songs. It seems more expansive. Care to tell the thinking behind it?
“I intend to give justice to these two songs and show homage to the writers. I felt I could embellish these two compositions while complementing them with different sounds that would enhance the songs and not distract from the writer’s original thoughts.”
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Agua De Beber by Michael Ross Review
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