Silvério Pessoa incorporates Jacinto Silva
Former vocalist with Cascabulho does homage to the pioneering songwriter from Pernambuco with the first CD of the project Bate o Mancá
Marco Antonio Barbosa
25/05/2001
Do you know what a mancá is? Mancá is the fundamental accessory to make cars pulled by ox work. And ox cars, sugar factories, sugar-cane plantations and merciless sun compose the atmosphere on O Povo dos Canaviais 
, first solo album by the project Bate o Mancá (Bang on the Mancá), led by Silvério Pessoa, former vocalist with the band Cascabulho, from Pernambuco. With the band, the main reference was Jackson do Pandeiro. With Bate o Mancá, the reference is Jacinto Silva, dead last February. O Povo dos Canaviais is a review of Jacintos’s songs.
"Jacinto Silva is present in my soul. To me, he is an icon of northeastern music, as powerful as Luiz Gonzaga and Jackson do Pandeiro", Silvério says. "Jacinto’s music is an important part in the huge spectrum of northeastern music, spreading light to all directions. He is a most shiny light." Jacinto’s creativity as a songwriter can be noticed in O Povo dos Canaviais, which dwells on a variety of rhythms (samba de roda, coco, embolada and traditional forró). "It is ritual music. None of that is news for northeastern people", the singer ponders.
O Povo dos Canaviais is the establishment of a relation that was beyond simple admiration. Silvério first met with Jacinto in 1995, before lining-up the band Cascabulho. "I met him in Caruaru (countryside of Pernambuco), but I already knew his music. I grew up listening to him on the radio. I had a point about doing homage to him; I even put my own work as a songwriter on the side, for a while. I want the album to educate people, and let them learn about Jacinto and help preserving his music", Silvério explains. While working with Cascabulho, Silvério strengthened his friendship with Jacinto Silva, making plans for a project dedicated exclusively to the works of the songwriter. "He used to say that his songs belonged to me, too. Last year, at the Abril Pro Rock festival, Bate o Mancá had its official debut, and Silvério was already dissatisfied with his band. "I’m very restless, so I decided to leave the band and pursuit something more personal. I know we did a good job together, but I’m also happier, now", the singer claims.
The album was recorded along the year 2000, featuring guest artists like Bnegão (Planet Hemp), Marcelo and Zé Brown (Faces do Subúrbio), Lula Queiroga, Zé da Flauta and Lirinha (singer with Cordel do Fogo Encantado). "Although Bate o Mancá is a personal trip, these other artists were essential to make my plans come true", he says. And Jacinto Silva himself appears on the album, which features his two last recordings: Aquela Rosa, a duet with Silvério, and a sample of a homemade recording, inserted in Casa de Aranha.
Silvério is not afraid of being stuck with northeastern clichés and claims that, even though this is about a specific rescuing effort, Bate o Mancá is out for diversity. "I think the moment is perfect, after all, forró is fashionable, now, everybody is into Luiz Gonzaga, Gilberto Gil has just put out a forró album... But I am what I am. This is all very spontaneous. And the truth shall remain", says the singer, who adds: "Regardless of having traded Cascabulho’s pop approach for a more folk one, I don’t think I have moved backwards".
The site www.bateomancá.com.br complements the role of the album O Povo dos Canaviais as a stand for the preservation of Jacinto Silva’s music. “I’m working with Jacinto’s family on a complete catalogue of his works. We want to have all of it on the site, the complete discography. But too many recordings have been lost, already”, Silvério says. The next step would be the Casa do Forró (Forró House), to be built in memory of Jacinto, supported by the City Hall in Caruaru. “I figure it should carry every object related to Jacinto, as well as the creation process involved in forró, including the social context from which it comes”, Silvério reveals.
And where is Silvério’s creativity going, in the midst of a rescuing moment? "I have written over 30 songs, lately, but I’m not in a rush to release them. I want to work with Bate o Mancá for about two years, before making my solo record", Silvério says. During the promo tour of the new project, Silvério performs Jacinto’s songs, as well as Cascabulho’s songs. "Songs like Vovó Alaíde and Vendedor de Amendoim, which are mine, were recorded with Cascabulho. I have let go of litigious fights with the group, because I have written those", he finishes.
, first solo album by the project Bate o Mancá (Bang on the Mancá), led by Silvério Pessoa, former vocalist with the band Cascabulho, from Pernambuco. With the band, the main reference was Jackson do Pandeiro. With Bate o Mancá, the reference is Jacinto Silva, dead last February. O Povo dos Canaviais is a review of Jacintos’s songs. "Jacinto Silva is present in my soul. To me, he is an icon of northeastern music, as powerful as Luiz Gonzaga and Jackson do Pandeiro", Silvério says. "Jacinto’s music is an important part in the huge spectrum of northeastern music, spreading light to all directions. He is a most shiny light." Jacinto’s creativity as a songwriter can be noticed in O Povo dos Canaviais, which dwells on a variety of rhythms (samba de roda, coco, embolada and traditional forró). "It is ritual music. None of that is news for northeastern people", the singer ponders.
O Povo dos Canaviais is the establishment of a relation that was beyond simple admiration. Silvério first met with Jacinto in 1995, before lining-up the band Cascabulho. "I met him in Caruaru (countryside of Pernambuco), but I already knew his music. I grew up listening to him on the radio. I had a point about doing homage to him; I even put my own work as a songwriter on the side, for a while. I want the album to educate people, and let them learn about Jacinto and help preserving his music", Silvério explains. While working with Cascabulho, Silvério strengthened his friendship with Jacinto Silva, making plans for a project dedicated exclusively to the works of the songwriter. "He used to say that his songs belonged to me, too. Last year, at the Abril Pro Rock festival, Bate o Mancá had its official debut, and Silvério was already dissatisfied with his band. "I’m very restless, so I decided to leave the band and pursuit something more personal. I know we did a good job together, but I’m also happier, now", the singer claims.
The album was recorded along the year 2000, featuring guest artists like Bnegão (Planet Hemp), Marcelo and Zé Brown (Faces do Subúrbio), Lula Queiroga, Zé da Flauta and Lirinha (singer with Cordel do Fogo Encantado). "Although Bate o Mancá is a personal trip, these other artists were essential to make my plans come true", he says. And Jacinto Silva himself appears on the album, which features his two last recordings: Aquela Rosa, a duet with Silvério, and a sample of a homemade recording, inserted in Casa de Aranha.
Silvério is not afraid of being stuck with northeastern clichés and claims that, even though this is about a specific rescuing effort, Bate o Mancá is out for diversity. "I think the moment is perfect, after all, forró is fashionable, now, everybody is into Luiz Gonzaga, Gilberto Gil has just put out a forró album... But I am what I am. This is all very spontaneous. And the truth shall remain", says the singer, who adds: "Regardless of having traded Cascabulho’s pop approach for a more folk one, I don’t think I have moved backwards".
The site www.bateomancá.com.br complements the role of the album O Povo dos Canaviais as a stand for the preservation of Jacinto Silva’s music. “I’m working with Jacinto’s family on a complete catalogue of his works. We want to have all of it on the site, the complete discography. But too many recordings have been lost, already”, Silvério says. The next step would be the Casa do Forró (Forró House), to be built in memory of Jacinto, supported by the City Hall in Caruaru. “I figure it should carry every object related to Jacinto, as well as the creation process involved in forró, including the social context from which it comes”, Silvério reveals.
And where is Silvério’s creativity going, in the midst of a rescuing moment? "I have written over 30 songs, lately, but I’m not in a rush to release them. I want to work with Bate o Mancá for about two years, before making my solo record", Silvério says. During the promo tour of the new project, Silvério performs Jacinto’s songs, as well as Cascabulho’s songs. "Songs like Vovó Alaíde and Vendedor de Amendoim, which are mine, were recorded with Cascabulho. I have let go of litigious fights with the group, because I have written those", he finishes.