Dindi was composed by the Brazilian composer Antônio Carlos Jobim in the mid 1960s, with Portuguise lyrics by Aloysio de Oliveria. English lyrics were added by Ray Gilbert.
The sparse instrumentation on this beautiful jazz classic honors the simple and romantic lyrics and the dreamy quality of the original. It starts with the verse played and sung freely and out of tempo with nylon acoustic guitar and voice. Trey Henry created a bass line that provides the rhythmic underpinning without getting in the way. Greg Porée’s acoustic guitar and keyboard create the pad, while the electric guitar part becomes the counterpoint to Frances Livings’ superb vocal.
This well-known song with an almost soft, lullaby character has also got a tragic background: Jobim wrote this piece especially for Brazilian singer Sylvia Telles whose nickname was Dindi. In the December of 1966, just a short while after Telles had recorded this piece with guitarist Rosinha de Valença, she was killed in a road accident in Rio de Janeiro.
lyrics
DINDI
Sky, so vast is the sky,
with far away clouds just wandering by.
Where do they go?
Oh, I don't know, I don't know.
Wind that speaks to the leaves,
telling stories that no one believes,
stories of love belong to you
and to me ~
Oh Dindi, if I only had words I would say
all the beautiful things that I see
when you're with me, oh my Dindi
Oh Dindi, like the song of the wind in the trees,
that's how my heart is singing, Dindi
happy Dindi, when you're with me
I love you more each day, yes I do, yes I do,
I'd let you go away if you take me with you
Don't you know, Dindi, I'd be running and searching for you
like a river that can't find the sea
That would be me
without you my Dindi
credits
from Ipanema Lounge,
released August 31, 2016
–––––
Writers: Antônio Carlos Jobim, Ray Gilbert and Aloysio de Oliveira [Corcovado Music Corp.]
Arrangers: Frances Livings and Greg Porée
Frances Livings – vocal
Greg Porée – classical & archtop guitar and keyboards
Trey Henry – upright bass
The London-born artist Frances Livings can be heard on a variety of recordings. Besides music, she has worked as a designer,
has earned a PhD in art history and is the founder of the music production company Moontraxx.
Drawing from these different life experiences has made her ability to both craft and tell a story very unique....more
Led by Norwegian pianist and composer Eyolf Dale, this trio fuse nordic folk, jazz, and classical styles for a bright, beautiful sound. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 1, 2023
A diverse, confident mixtape that draws connections between afrobeat jazz, hip-hop, and more, abetted by a host of talented vocalists. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 21, 2024