I came across Aloysio de Oliveira’s name a few years ago while watching the old Disney film Saludos Amigos with my kids. It’s a 1942 movie that mixes animation with live-action footage from Latin America, and it was Disney’s first real push into the region. One of the musical moments, “Aquarela do Brazil“, caught my ear. I did a little digging and I learned that the voice I liked so much belonged to Aloísio de Oliveira, a Brazilian record producer, singer, actor and composer. Curious, I followed the thread and saved one of his albums on Spotify for later. That “later” turned into a few years of sitting in my library… until this week, when I finally pressed play.
The album is called On The Sunny Side of the Street, and it’s full of charm. The title track was what pulled me in first, familiar from its roots in American jazz, but now reimagined with a samba groove and sung in both Portuguese and English. They do a great version of the song Chattanooga Choo Choo, How High The Moon, In The Mood, Paper Doll, and You’re The Top.
What’s so interesting about this album is that it takes mostly non-Brazilian songs and filters them through a Brazilian lens. You get American standards and even some French melodies, but they’re dressed in the rhythm and texture of Rio. It’s something you feel like you know with a little extra flavor. I hope you enjoy this fun pairing of Brazil and the American Standard.
Complete side note: I posted an original song about baseball and little league today so check it out on youtube here!
Song: “On The Sunny Side Of The Street”
Artist: Aloysio De Oliveira E Seu Bando Da Lua
Album: Samba These Days
Year: 1957
Grab your coat and get your hat.
Leave your worry on the doorstep.
Just direct your feet
To the sunny side of the street.
Can’t you hear a pitter-pat?
And that happy tune is your step.
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street.
I used to walk in the shade
With those blues on parade,
But now I’m not afraid.
This rover crossed over.
If I never have a cent,
I’ll be rich as Rockefeller.
Gonna set my feet
On the sunny side of the street.
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My name is Michael Sanchez and I’m an avid record collector and obscure song searcher. My goal is to post (hopefully) one song a day that’s been on my stereo/turntable frequently. If you don’t like the song… too bad 🙂 You can just wait for the next one. I do use A.I. here and there to help with writing and grammar. All the info I find is from wikipedia/youtube/interviews/news articles/personal stories I’ve heard/random googling. If you notice any mistakes, let me know or just keep it inside and be mad. Thanks!
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