Memory

Bye-Bye,
Song Bird

Born on May 23, 1908 (some experts say it was in 1902), in São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro, Sílvio Antônio Narciso de Figueiredo Caldas could never make good on his repeated promises of abandoning music. Afflicted with heart problems he died on February 2. He was living in Atibaia, in the interior of São Paulo, with his wife Miriam, 50, son Roberto, 21, daughter Camila, 20, and grandson Vinícius, 2.

For the last 30 years Sílvio Caldas' constant farewell concerts became a running gag in the Brazilian entertainment world. His weepy goodbye shows were so many that even his most faithful fans lost track of them. Friends, still lulled by his soothing music, still don't believe that he has left for good. Said Nelson Rodrigues, another idol of his generation: "The people want him to always come back. And that 200 years from now he will come again for another farewell show."

At age six, Caldas was already singing at Casa dos Bigodinhos (House of the Little Moustaches), a club in Minas Gerais state. Soon after he joined the Família Ideal, a Carnaval band. From this time came the nickname Rouxinol (Nightingale). He would get several other epithets during his seven-decade career, including : O Caboclinho Querido (The Dear Little Peasant), A Voz Morena que a Cidade Adora (The Brunet Voice that the City Adores), and O Seresteiro das Multidões (The Crowds' Serenader).

The singer was not ashamed of calling himself illiterate. Caldas abandoned school very early. At age 9 he was already an apprentice car mechanic, a métier in which he became an expert, moving in 1924 to São Paulo where he made a living fixing cars. He had plenty of odd jobs that would make him garimpeiro (gold prospector), milkman, truck driver, cook, and restaurant owner.

In 1927 when he went for a test as a singer for Radio Mayrink Veiga, in Rio de Janeiro, he met tango crooner Antonio Gomez, better known as Milonguita, a singer who would greatly influence Caldas's singing technique. According to music researcher Mário Leônidas Casanova, Caldas's first recording—"Alô, Meu Bem" (Hello, My Darling) by Carlos de Almeida and "Amoroso" (Filled With Love) by the singer in partnership with Quincas Freire, happened on February 19, 1930. Both tunes were sambas.

He would record 500 others songs. "I was born singing," he used to say. Accustomed to being adulated the singer became very despondent when the country turned to other idols all but forgetting him. He moved in 1965 to his Atibaia ranch, which he called exile.

The singer appeared also in movies like Humberto Mauro's Favela dos Meus Amores'' (My Beloved Favela) from 1935, Luís de Barros's Carioca Maravilhosa (Marvelous Rio Girl) from 1936, and José Carlos Burle's Luz dos Meus Olhos (Light of My Eyes) from 1947. Endowed with a deep, husky voice, Caldas became famous for the romantic ballads he sang. He also recorded duets with Carmen Miranda and Elizeth Cardoso.

All the Hits 

For almost 20 years, starting at the beginning of the '30s till the end of the '40s, Caldas kept his songs on the hit parades. In 1935 he had "Minha Palhoça" (My Thatched Hut) by J. Cascata and "O Telefone do Amor" (The Love Telephone) by Benedito Lacerda and Jorge Faraj. In 1936, there were "Um Caboclo Abandonado" (An Abandoned Peasant), "Madrugada" (Dawn) both by Benedito Lacerda and Herivelto Martins and "O Nome Dela Não Digo" (Her Name I Won't Say) by Sílvio Caldas and Orestes Barbosa.

In 1937 he brought "Saudade Dela" (Missing Her) by Ataulfo Alves, "Arranha-céu" (Skyscraper) and "Chão de Estrelas" (Floor of Stars), both by Sílvio Caldas and Orestes Barbosa. 1938 was the year of "Professora" (Schoolmistress) by Benedito Lacerda and Jorge Faraj, "Sorria da Minha Dor" (Smile at My Pain) by Paulo Medeiros, and "Suburbana" (Suburban Lady) by Sílvio Caldas and Orestes Barbosa.

In 1939 he had, "Da Cor do Pecado" (Color of Sin) by Bororó, "Deusa da Minha Rua" (My Street's Goddess) by Newton Teixeira and Jorge Faraj and in 1940, "Mulher" (Woman) by Custódio Mesquita and Sadi Cabral and "Preto Velho" (Black Old Man) by Custódio Mesquita and Jorge Faraj.

Hits from 1941 were "Caixinha de Música" (Little Music Box) by Custódio Mesquita, "O Pião" (The Top) by Custódio Mesquita and Sadi Cabral). In 1942 we had "Duas Janelas" (Two Windows) by Wilson Batista and Jorge Faraj), in 1943, "Meus 20 Anos" (My 20 Years) by Wilson Batista and Sílvio Caldas, "Promessa" (Promise) by Custódio Mesquita and Evaldo Rui, "Modinha" (Modinha Tune) by Jaime Ovale and Manuel Bandeira.

In 1944 Caldas brought "Como os Rios Correm para o Mar" (How Rivers Run to the Sea) by Custódio Mesquita and Evaldo Rui and "Valsa do Meu Subúrbio" (My Suburb's Waltz) by Custódio Mesquita and Evaldo Rui.

A heavy drinker all his life, it seems fit that Caldas met his greatest partner, Orestes Barbosa, in a bar. Caldas had an operatic voice. During the '30s and '40s he was part of the quartet of the great crooners of the time, which also included the King of Voice, Francisco Alves; the Singer of the Crowds, Orlando Silva; and Carlos Galhardo. As a composer he was partner of Cartola, Wilson Batista, Billy Blanco and Ary Barroso.

What was the secret of his vitality? "I disobey all the rules recommended to those who are 50 and older. I talk too much, I drink too much, I sleep too little, I work too hard, and smoke like a desperate man," he once said.

Nothing was left from the fortune he amassed during his golden years. Caldas died poor. He was getting a $700 monthly check as pension, but royalties from his songs had dwindled so that in a recent month he got a ridiculous $5 check as his share. His only possession, the modest ranch in Atibaia in which he lived, was on the brink of foreclosure. Caixa Econômica Federal had threatened many times to auction the property in order to collect on a $150,000 debt.

It is not for his honesty that Brazil's serenaders will be remembered. He is known to have bought songs which then he appropriated as being his own. Even "Chão de Estrelas" (Floor of Stars), his most memorable work, in partnership with Orestes Barbosa wasn't really his, according to some experts.

As a singer though his talent is undisputed. He recorded the best of Ary Barroso, including "Faceira," "Inquietação", "Maria," "Morena Boneca de Ouro", "Quando Eu Penso na Bahia" with Carmen Miranda, "Por Causa Dessa Cabrocha", "Rancho Fundo," and "Tu."

For the last 18 years he hadn't recorded anything and he used to complain that the studios didn't want him anymore. "All they want are songs that last two to three years, but I am here for eternity," he said in a 1996 interview with Folha de São Paulo.

Chão de Estrelas Sílvio Caldas and Orestes Barbosa Minha vida era um palco iluminado E eu vivia vestido de dourado Palhaço das perdidas ilusões Cheio dos guizos falsos da alegria Andei cantando minha fantasia Entre as palmas febris dos corações Meu barracão lá no morro do Salgueiro Tinha o cantar alegre de um viveiro Foste a sonoridade que acabou E hoje, quando do Sol a claridade Forra o meu barracão, sinto saudade Da mulher, pomba-rola que voou Nossas roupas comuns dependuradas Na corda qual bandeiras agitadas Pareciam um estranho festival Festa dos nossos trapos coloridos A mostrar que nos morros mal vestidos É sempre feriado nacional. A porta do barraco era sem trinco Mas a lua furando nosso zinco Salpicava de estrelas nosso chão E tu pisavas nos astros distraída Sem saber que a ventura desta vida É a cabrocha, o luar e o violão

Floor of Stars Sílvio Caldas and Orestes Barbosa My life was a lighted-up stage And I lived dressed in gold A clown of lost illusions Full of joy's false rattles I've been singing my fantasy Among hearts' feverish palms My shack up on the Salgueiro hill Had the joyful singing of a aviary You were the sonority that ended And today, when the sunlight Lines my shack, I miss The woman, turtle-dove who has flown Our common clothes hung On the line as waving flags Seemed like an odd festival Feast of our colored rags Showing that on the ill-dressed hills It's always national holiday The shack's door had no latch But the moon piercing our zinc Sprinkled our floor with stars And you absentmindedly stepped on the stars Without knowing that happiness in this life Is a mulatto girl, the moon and a guitar