Phenomenal
debut album from the stunning and until now, undiscovered 73-year-old Amazonian
songstress Dona Onete - the work of a lifetime on one CD on the great Mais Um
Discos Label. A vibrant blend of Paraense folklore,carimbó, boi bumba,
Caribbean salsa, brega, samba and even rap, all rooted in the cultures of the
Brazilian interior, this phenomenal debut album from Amazonian septuagenarian
songstress Dona Onete has been over 60 years in the making and almost never
happened… Sat on the banks of the Amazonian river in the small town of Igarapé
Miri as an 11 year old, singing sambas, quadrilhas and boi bumbas to the river
dolphins, Dona Onete could have scarcely imagined she'd be seeing the worldwide
release of her debut album at the age of 73.
Whilst not pursuing music as a
career when growing up, Onete's heart remained invested in it. Becoming an
expert in the rhythms, dances and traditions of the Amazon through her
university studies, she'd go on to become Municipal Secretary of Culture of her
hometown Igaparé-Miri. Completely enveloped by Amazonian culture and with her
latent talents as a singer, Onete began to compose music for herself. Amassing
a collection of over 300 original songs throughout her years, it wasn't until
she retired that her musical career took off.
Moving to the quiet area of
Pedreira in Belém to while away the rest of her days with her husband, Onete
inadvertently moved onto a street where popular Brazilian band Coletivo Radio
Cipó lived. The band, hearing Dona perform at a local carimbó party, initially
thought they were listening to a much younger singer - due to Onete's vivacious
and flirtatious flair, along with her penchant for a cheeky lyric or two. But
when they caught sight of her, they were astounded. Knowing they'd stumbled
upon someone truly special, the band instantly invited her to sing on their
forthcoming album.
Onete took some convincing but eventually relented, a
decision that would lead to her recording as an artist in her own right and see
her audience of river dolphins on the banks of the Amazon transform into the
people of the cities of Brazil, and soon the world. her audience of river
dolphins on the banks of the Amazon transform into the people of the cities of
Brazil, and soon the world. ~ Amazon UK
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