ARY LOBO

An absolute master of Baiao, Coco, Batuque and other related musical genres and the owner of an art one hundred percent his own, Ary Lobo is the ideal interpreter of northeastern songs.

These words taken from the original liner notes of Ary Lobo's first LP, "Forro con Ary Lobo" recorded in 1958, are in no way exaggeration. Ary Lobo recorded one LP every year until 1966 when he released "Quem É O Campeão?" (Who Is The Champion?) this last album for RCA Victor. All these recordings are wonderful road trips taking the listener through the various regions of Brazil; the tour guide on the journey is none other than Ary Lobo himself who, besides philosophy, science, politics and religion, would ornate the whole travel experience with an in-depth look into the traditions of a Brazilian society moving toward modernity.

Forró, as with so many genres, enjoyed its moment of greatness, but by the end of the 1960s, its popularity had started to fade and Ary Lobo was forced to start moving from one city to another in search of work opportunities. Eventually he arrived in Fortaleza, where he lived until his death in 1980. Among the singers and songwriters to emerge from Pará in the 1950s, Ary Lobo's achieved a level of national fame unique for his time. As an interpreter of more than 700 songs his records not only brought him great notoriety but also provided him with a lot of cash. "O nosso valor que venceu na Maravilhosa" (Our values that won in Rio)" was the headline the Paraense press used to describe Ary Lobo's conquest of the south. But what exactly did his victory mean? For black and mulato artists coming from impoverished contingent of Brazilian society, the ability to play a leading role in the world of radio, recordings and live performances was a significant achievement. This makes it easier to understand why so much of the money Ary Lobo obtained from his musical success was spent on the conspicuous pleasures of being a star.