Ode to Rio

Last night was a big night. I didn't think it would be. I went to Manu Chao's show thinking it would be fun to jump to music I used to listen to 10 years ago, but nothing more. The show was impressive. 'Manu Chao and Radio Bamba' have their formula - a clever mix of catchy rythms, punctuated by uber classic reggae beats and hectic brazilian drums - it works every time. But this time they added hectic electric guitars and beautiful spanish-style acoustic guitar, and the result was brilliant, full of energy. They left the audience absolutely exhausted, after a 3-hour long show, but rejoyced.

I hadn't realised at the time - ten years ago! - that Minha galera is in fact an ode to Rio and Brazil, but Manu Chao style, i.e simplistic and repetitive:

[...]

Minha torcida,
Minha querida,
Minha galera,
Minha cachoeira,
Minha menina,
Minha flamenga,
Minha capoeira,
Ó minha menina,
Minha querida,
Minha galera,
...

but of course Cariocas love it...