120 years of abolition with Mestre Wilson Moreira & Pagode do Nézio e Negão

On Tuesday, May 13th, Brazil celebrated (actually there was not much celebration) the 120 years of the abolition of slavery. My friends from the legendary pagode at Clube Guanabara graced the stage of Teatro Rival with numerous guests including Marquinhos Sathan (formerly Satã), Dorina, and the revered Wilson Moreira. For you faithful and studious folks that follow my blog (all 3 of you), you might recall that Wilson Moreira, a.k.a. Alicate ("pliers"), was part of those famous Partido em 5 recordings that I cite so much here in my blog. You can also see him in top form doing the "miudinho" in the 1978 short Partido Alto.

In recent years Mestre Wilson has suffered several strokes, though you can see that he can still can work a crowd. It was very emotional for me, and for many in the audience, to see Mestre Wilson on stage. I hope to interview him soon. He is not only a legendary samba composer and singer, but he is also extremely well-versed and knowledgeable of Afro-Brazilian musical genres and religions. His music frequently refers to this heritage. Check out Adão Jorge and Bruno Gama working the atabaques!



I would also like to add a studio recording of one of my favorite songs.


"Oloan" (Wilson Moreira)
from the album Entidades I (2002)

Ossan, Ossan
Oguirê, oguirê
Toda a iluminação de Orun
Oloan, Odú

Eu vou pedir licença
E vou ao mar
A claridade do dia
Vai me iluminar, ô ô
Me banhar
Vou mergulhar nas águas
E me purificar
No fundo do oceano

Os caprichos de Janaína
A pureza do mar
Oh! Mãe Rainha Iemanjá

Salve Wilson Moreira, salve o Alicate!