Sivuca e Rosinha de Valença (Ao Vivo) / Sivuca e Rosinha de Valenca (Ao Vivo)

Returning to Brazil in the mid-'70s after his successful stay in the U.S., Sivuca recorded a live show with Rosinha de Valença in May 1977 at the Seis e Meia series of the João Caetano theater (Rio de Janeiro), which is still today fondly recalled. Side A is dedicated to Sivuca, opening with his melodic choro "Homenagem à Velha Guarda"; Luperce Miranda's waltz "Quando Me Lembro" takes virtuosic runs. Next, taking the classic frevo "Vassourinhas" (Matias daRocha/Joana Batista Ramos), Sivuca kids around with the interpretation of the song, audibly amusing the audience, and then closes with the heavily swinging traditional interpretation of the frevo in presto tempo. That piece is followed by a much more serious and sensitive moment with the exquisite modal theme "Reunião de Tristeza" (Sivuca). The side is closed with Sivuca's classic "Feira de Mangaio" (with Glorinha Gadelha). Side B opens with "Asa Branca" (Luís Gonzaga/Humberto Teixeira), now with the noted participation of Valença's guitar. After a long intro, the theme is developed as an energetic and swinging baião with some interesting solos by the two leaders and flutist Raul Mascarenhas, and a slightly prog rock touch. "Adeus, Maria Fulô" (Humberto Teixeira/Sivuca) gets a MPB approach, but with a jazzy tenor solo by Mascarenhas. "Lamento" (Pixinguinha) is a beautifully performed solo by Valença and is a fascinating demonstration of polyphony done in a quicker tempo than the original, modifying the usual sentimental approach to the song. The happy samba "Tema do Boneco de Palha" (Vera Brasil/Silvan Castelo Neto) again has Valença as the soloist, now backed by the rhythm section, closing the album with a high note.