Boca Livre

Formed in 1978, the Brazilian vocal and instrumental ensemble Boca Livre ranks among the country’s most accomplished groups in its category. Maurício Maestro on bass and vocals joined Zé Renato, Cláudio Nucci, and David Tygel, each handling violão and vocals, to establish the quartet. Their debut release, the independently produced and distributed Boca Livre from 1979, became the highest-selling album of its type issued without major-label support in Brazil up to that time. Jon Anderson included the group on his 1993 album Deseo. Xenophile introduced the 1992 CD Dançando Pelas Sombras to American audiences, where it drew favorable notice from critics. Fernando Gama replaced Nucci in 1993, and Lourenço Baeta assumed Tygel’s role in 1995. The first recording made with this configuration, the live album Songboca issued by Velas, earned a Sharp prize. Later personnel adjustments brought Nucci back in place of Zé Renato in 2000, while the members have continued to maintain parallel solo careers. Boca Livre’s catalog comprises Bicicleta (1980), Folia (1981), Boca Livre (1983), Em Concerto (1989), Dançando Pelas Sombras (1992), Songboca (1994), Americana (1996), Boca Livre 20 Anos (1997), and Boca Livre e 14 Bis ao Vivo (2000). Signature performances encompass “Mistérios” (Joyce/Maurício Maestro), “Anima” (Zé Renato/Milton Nascimento), “Toada” (Zé Renato/Claudio Nucci/Juca), “Quem Tem a Viola” (Juca/Zé Renato/Xico Chaves/Claudio Nucci), the re-recording of “Panis et Cirsensis” (Gilberto Gil/Caetano Veloso), “Ponta de Areia” (Milton Nascimento/Fernando Brant), and “I Need You” (George Harrison), among others.