Zé Ramalho

Biography

Zé Ramalho (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈzɛ ʁaˈmaʎu]; born José Ramalho Neto on October 3, 1949 – Brejo do Cruz, Paraíba, Brazil) is a Brazilian composer and performer. Zé Ramalho has collaborated with various major Brazilian musicians, including Vanusa, Geraldo Azevedo and Alceu Valença.
As with many musicians back in his younger days, he was first influenced by rock and roll; however, at the age of 20, his music took a more traditional Northeastern Brazilian approach. Zé Ramalho's lyrics however, are very influenced by the socio-economic difficulties faced by the average Brazilian.
Zé Ramalho is the first cousin of Elba Ramalho, a Brazilian composer and performer.

Early life: 1949–1974

Zé Ramalho was born to Estelita Torres Ramalho, an elementary school teacher, and Antônio de Pádua Pordeus Ramalho, a Seresta performer. When he was two years old, his father drowned in a reservoir of the sertão, and he was then adopted by his grandfather. His love for his grandfather would later be expressed in the song "Avôhai". After spending most of his childhood in Campina Grande, his family moved to João Pessoa. Ramalho went to medicine school at the Federal University of Paraíba.
As soon as the family settled in João Pessoa, he took part of some Jovem Guarda performances, being influenced by Renato Barros, Leno e Lílian, Roberto Carlos & Erasmo Carlos, Golden Boys, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Bob Dylan.
In 1974, his first son, Christian, was born.
Before composing, he used to write Cordel literature.

First works: 1974–1975

Also in 1974, he performed for Tânia Quaresma's movie Nordeste: Cordel, Repente e Canção soundtrack. At that time, he figured out a way to mix all the influences he received throughout his life: from Rock 'n' Roll to Forró. A year later, he recorded his first album, Paêbirú×Paêbirú1975 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks · 2 discsDisc 1A1Terra : Trilha De Sumé / Culto À Terra / Bailado Das MuscariasB1Ar : Harpa Dos Ares / Não Existe Molhado Igual Ao Pranto / OmmB2Ar : Não Existe Molhado Igual Ao PrantoB3Ar : OmmDisc 2C1Fogo : Raga Dos RaiosC2Fogo : Nas Paredes Da Pedra Encantada, Os Segredos Talhados Por SuméC3Fogo : Marácas De FogoD1Agua : Louvação A Iemanjá / Regato Da MontanhaD2Agua : Beira MarD3Agua : Pedra Templo Animal / Trilha De Sumé along with Lula Côrtes through the label Rozenblit (label). Today the copies from this very rare vinyl are highly priced in the international collector's market.

Beginning of the major musical career:1975–1984

In 1976, he left medicine school and moved to Rio de Janeiro, where he searched for a record label to release his first album. After being rejected by several producers and executives, he was finally accepted by Jairo Pires, from CBS. In 1977, he recorded his second album (first solo), the self-titled Zé Ramalho. A year later, his second son, Wilson, was born. In 1979, the third son, João (born to him and to his wife Amelinha), came along the third album, A Peleja do Diabo com o Dono do Céu×A peleja do Diabo com o Dono do céu1979 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1A peleja do Diabo com o Dono do céu4:32A2Admirável gado novo4:56A3Falas do povo4:15A4Beira-mar3:58A5Garoto de aluguel3:06B1Pelo vinho e pelo pão3:22B2Mote das amplidões3:59B3Jardim das acácias5:14B4Agônico1:46B5Frevo mulher4:37 (also referred to as Zé Ramalho II). He then moved to Fortaleza in 1980, where he wrote and published his book "Carne de Pescoço" ("Neck Flesh"). The fourth album, A Terceira Lâmina×A terceira lâmina1981 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Canção agalopada5:012Filhos de Ícaro3:003A terceira lâmina4:174Um pequeno xote2:145Atrás do balcão4:076Galope rasante3:367Kamikaze3:208Violar1:249Cavalos do cão3:2410Ave de prata2:4511Dia dos adultos2:1712Eternas ondas13A terceira lâmina14Mestiça, was released afterwards, and the fifth one, Força Verde×Força Verde1982 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Força verde5:31A2Eternas ondas5:02A3O monte olímpia3:43A4Visões de Zé Limeira sobre o final do século XX6:06A5Banquete de signos3:37B1Pepitas de fogo5:13B2Beira-mar - capítulo II5:44B3Os segredos de Sumé3:50B4Amálgama4:09B5Cristais do tempo2:18, in 1982.
In 1983, he broke up with Amelinha. After releasing his sixth album, Orquídea Negra×Orquídea negra1983 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Orquídea negra5:222Para chegar mais perto de Deus4:333Kryptônia4:494Táxi lunar4:005Coração de rubi3:486Filhos do câncer5:217Napalm6:088Dominó3:029Xote dos poetas4:4110Embolada violada2:58, he got married with Roberta, Amelinha's cousin, in 1984.

Small declining: 1985–1990

The mid eighties would witness a small decrease in Zé Ramalho's popularity, with the releases of the albums Pra Não Dizer Que Não Falei de Rock (or Por Aquelas Que Foram Bem Amadas) (1984), De Gosto de Água e de Amigos (1985), Opus Visionário (1986) and Décimas de um Cantador (1987). In 1990, he performed in the United States for a Brazilian audience.

Back to the top: 1991–2001

In 1991, his only sister, Goretti, died. Even though, he was able to record his eleventh album, Brasil Nordeste×Brasil Nordeste1991 · Album · RemixSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Baião / Imbalança / Asa branca3:432Carcará / Pisa na fulô / O canto da ema3:133Sebastiana / Um a um / Chiclete com banana2:574No meu pé de serra / O xote das meninas / Qui nem jiló3:115Gemedeira / Frevo mulher2:506Vendedor de caranguejo / Súplica cearense3:137Boiadeiro / Paraíba2:238Disparada / Fica mal com Deus4:109Sangue e pudins / Eternas ondas3:1610Avôhai / Admirável gado novo / Galope razante3:5211Mucuripe / Paralelas4:4712Último pau-de-arara / Meu cariri3:07, and returned to his success times with the recording of the song "Entre a Serpente e a Estrela" for the soapopera "Pedra Sobre Pedra". In 1992, his fifth son, José, was born, and he released the twelfth album Frevoador×Frevoador1992 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Frevoador (hurricane)3:042Serpentária4:423Nona nuvem4:064Da mãe2:225Entre a serpente e a estrela3:016Cidadão3:517A história do jeca que virou Elvis Presley2:588Botas de sete léguas5:209Porta secreta3:4610Do terceiro milênio para frente, Part 23:36. In 1995, he had his first daughter born: Linda.
In 1996, he recorded the album O Grande Encontro live with his cousin Elba Ramalho (who had already re-recorded a very successful version of his song "Chão de Giz") and the well known MPB names Alceu Valença and Geraldo Azevedo. In the same year, he released his thirteenth album Cidades e Lendas×Cidades e lendas1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Cidades & Lendas6:222Leva eu sodade3:313Bomba de estrelas3:404Para um amor no Recife3:235Cada um dá o que tem3:486Não existe molhado igual ao pranto2:507Profetas4:548Rap-xote esotérico4:069Os últimos dias4:1110Alforria3:0811Um lugar para sonhar3:23. The success of "O Grande Encontro" was so great that he decided to record it again in 1997 at the studio, this time without Alceu Valença though. The record sold 300,000+ copies, going Gold and Platinum. To celebrate his 20 years of career, he released the CD 20 Anos – Antologia Acústica. The record label Sony Music also released a box set containing three discs: one of rarities, one of duets and one of classics. Also to celebrate the 20 years, Brazilian author Luciane Alves released a book titled "Zé Ramalho – um Visionário do século XX" ("Zé Ramalho – a 20th Century Visionary").
Before the end of the millennium, another great hit: Admirável Gado Novo (first released in his second album in 1980) was the opening theme of the soap opera O Rei do Gado. He also released his fourteenth studio album, Eu Sou Todos Nós×Eu sou todos nós1998 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Falido Transatlântico3:032Metrópolis Dourada2:403Companheira De Alta Luz4:254Beira-Mar (Capítulo Final)4:255Errare Humanun Est3:506Litúrgica1:417Vermelhos3:198A Peleja De Zé Limeira No Final Do Segundo Milênio3:039Sem-Terra3:0110Martelo Rap Ecológico3:2911Agônico (O Canto)2:1712Das Maravilhas3:38, and the sixteenth one, Nação Nordestina×Nação nordestina2000 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Intróito à nação2:472O meu país4:593Pra não dizer que não falei das flores4:454Lamento sertanejo4:025Temporal4:096Seres alados4:417Beijo-morte-beijo4:258Meninos do sertão5:109Ele disse3:1310Mourão voltado em questões4:11Disc 21Violando com Hermeto3:252Hino nordestino3:343Bandeira desfraldada4:524Pau de arara2:445Amar quem eu já amei2:486Garrote ferrido4:147Paraí-ba3:558Eu vou pra lua2:589Esses discos voadores me preocupam demais6:4810Digitado em poesia3:57, in which he once again explored the music of his home land, the Nordeste. The album would later be a candidate for the Latin Grammy Award for Best Regional Music Album or of Brazilian Origins.

Continuing into the 3rd Millennium: 2001–2011

His first work of the 21st Century was the release of Zé Ramalho canta Raul Seixas, a cover album with songs by Raul Seixas. He then shared stage with Elba Ramalho in the Rock in Rio 3. In 2002, Som Livre releases a CD of his greatest hits, part of its "Perfil×Perfil2002 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Admirável gado novo4:542Mistérios da meia-noite3:203Avôhai4:584Frevo mulher4:375Baião / Imbalança / Asa branca3:436Vila do sossego3:537A dança das borboletas5:238A peleja do Diabo com o dono do céu4:129Bicho de 7 cabeças2:2310Ave de prata2:4411Pelo vinho e pelo pão3:2012Kryptônia4:4913Garoto de aluguel (Táxi Boy)3:0414Eternas ondas5:02" series of Greatest Hits albums. Also in 2002, he released his seventeenth album, O Gosto da Criação×O gosto da criação29 July 2002 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1O gosto da criação3:492A única coisa que eu quero4:163Aprendendo a vencer4:414Tudo que fiz foi viver4:155O silêncio dos inocentes4:446O que vale para sempre3:337Coisas boas e mais4:098Fissura5:339Luz da excelência3:5410Modificando o olhar4:2211É praticando na vida que muito vai aprendendo4:0512O apocalipse de Zé Limeira4:49.
In 2003, he released his eighteenth album, Estação Brasil×Estação Brasil2003 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Nesse Brasil cabôco de mãe-preta e pai João3:372Água de março4:193O trenzinho do caipira4:164Caçador de mim4:215O que é o que é5:166Desejo de mouro3:187Meu bem querer3:388Não quero dinheiro (só quero amar)4:039Cantiga do sapo4:0710Dança das luzes3:07Disc 21Hino amizade4:402Planeta água4:073Tempos modernos5:374Romaria4:055Asa branca4:226Kamikaze4:297Bete Balanço4:178Mesmo que seja eu3:239Malandragem dá um tempo4:1510Mote das amplidões4:28, containing 19 recordings of his main Brazilian influences, and one new song. He guest appeared in the song Sinônimos ("Synonyms"), from Chitãozinho & Xororó's album, Aqui o Sistema é Bruto ("Here, the system is Brutal").
In 2005, he recorded his only live album, simply titled Zé Ramalho ao vivo×Ao vivo2005 · Album · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1A dança das borboletas7:022Táxi lunar3:573Banquete de signos3:044Canção agalopada4:555Eternas ondas4:226Avôhai5:387Vila do sossego4:128Chão de giz5:009Garoto de aluguel4:5710Admirável gado novo5:5611Batendo na porta do céu (Knockin' on Heaven's Door)3:5812Sinônimos6:3013Entre a serpente e a estrela (Amarillo by Morning)3:4414Mistérios da meia-noite3:3615Frevo mulher5:1416Corações animais4:16. His latter album, Parceria dos Viajantes×Parceria dos viajantes2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1O rei do rock5:072A nave interior4:373Montarias sensuais4:104O norte do norte4:045Do muito e do pouco3:386Procurando a estrela4:127Farol dos mundos3:378Pássaros noturnos3:099Chamando o silêncio4:4610Porta de luz4:1811As aparências enganam4:16, was recorded in 2007 and was nominated for the Latin Grammy Award for Best Brazilian Popular Music Album.
In 2008, he released a compilation of rarities called Zé Ramalho da Paraíba×Zé Ramalho da Paraíba2008 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 21 tracks1Táxi Lunar5:262Jacarepaguá Blues8:343O Autor da Natureza4:394Brejo do Cruz5:025Puxa-Puxa2:146Luciela7:097Paraíba Hospitaleira2:268Terremotos3:329Falido Transatlântico3:5910A Árvore6:2311A Peleja de Apolo e Pan3:5912O Astronauta6:5413Meninas de Albarã3:1014Aboio Eletrônico4:2715O Sobrevivente4:5416Jardim das Acácias8:5317Avôhai10:0318Adeus Segunda-Feira Cinzenta9:1119A Dança das Borboletas10:3720O Monte Olímpia7:4021Admirável Gado Novo6:03, followed by another cover album: Zé Ramalho canta Bob Dylan - Tá tudo mudando, a tribute to the American musician.
In 2009, a third cover album, Zé Ramalho Canta Luiz Gonzaga×Zé Ramalho canta Luiz Gonzaga2009 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Amanhã eu vou4:172Baião / Imbalança / Asa branca3:403Asa branca4:194No meu pé de serra / O xote das meninas / Qui nem jiló3:105Assum preto3:296Não vendo, nem troco2:457ABC do sertão3:178Boiadeiro / Paraíba2:199Paraíba2:4610Pau de arara2:4211Olha pro céu / São João na roça4:0212Fica mal com Deus2:58, was released, paying tribute to the Brazilian musician. In 2010 and 2011, respectively, he released two more tribute albums: Zé Ramalho Canta Jackson do Pandeiro×Zé Ramalho canta Jackson do Pandeiro1 May 2010 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Lamento cego4:022Ele disse3:143Forró de surubim2:584Forró na gafieira2:285O canto da ema3:126Sebastiana / Um a um / Chiclete com banana2:577Chiclete com banana2:578Cantiga do sapo4:089Casaca de couro2:3610Quadro negro2:2211Cabeça feita2:5912Lá vai boiada4:17, in tribute to Jackson do Pandeiro, and Zé Ramalho Canta Beatles, in tribute to the Beatles.

Own record label: 2012–present

In 2012, Zé Ramalho created his own record label, Avôhai Music, through which he is releasing his first non-cover studio album since 2007: Sinais dos Tempos×Sinais dos tempos27 June 2012 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Indo com o Tempo4:402Sinais4:283Lembranças do Primeiro4:004Olhar Alquimista5:245O que Ainda Vai Nascer5:086Justiça Cega4:007Um Pouco do que Queira3:538O Começo da Visão3:219A Noite Branca3:4210Portal dos Destinos4:5111Rio Paraíba4:1612Anúncio Final4:43. In September 2013, Zé Ramalho performed at Rock in Rio with Brazilian thrash metal band Sepultura – the line-up was labeled as "Zépultura", a portmanteau of both artists' names.
In November 2014, Zé Ramalho released a collaborative live album with singer and acoustic guitarist Fagner, entitled Fagner & Zé Ramalho ao Vivo.

Studio albums

1975 – Paêbirú (with Lula Côrtes)
1978 – Zé Ramalho
1979 – A Peleja do Diabo com o Dono do Céu
1981 – A Terceira Lâmina
1982 – A Força Verde
1983 – Orquídea Negra
1984 – Por Aquelas Que Foram Bem Amadas or Pra Não Dizer Que Não Falei de Rock
1985 – De Gosto de Água e de Amigos
1986 – Opus Visionário
1987 – Décimas de um Cantador
1992 – Frevoador
1996 – Cidades e Lendas
1997 – Antologia Acústica (Acoustic versions album – Gold, 9× Platinum)
1998 – Eu Sou Todos Nós (Gold)
2000 – Nação Nordestina
2001 – Zé Ramalho Canta Raul Seixas (Raul Seixas cover songs – Gold)
2002 – O Gosto da Criação
2007 – Parceria dos Viajantes
2008 – Zé Ramalho Canta Bob Dylan – Tá Tudo Mudando" (Bob Dylan cover songs)
2009 – Zé Ramalho Canta Luiz Gonzaga (Luiz Gonzaga cover songs)
2010 – Zé Ramalho Canta Jackson do Pandeiro (Jackson do Pandeiro cover songs)
2011 – Zé Ramalho Canta Beatles (The Beatles cover songs)
2012 – Sinais dos Tempos

Live albums

2005 – Zé Ramalho ao Vivo
2014 – Fagner & Zé Ramalho ao Vivo

Compilations

1991 – Brasil Nordeste
2002 – Perfil (2× Gold)
2003 – Estação Brasil
2008 – Zé Ramalho da Paraíba
2016 – Zé Ramalho voz e violão 40 anos de música

Guest appearances

Lordose pra leão – os pássaros não calçam rua
Jorge Cabeleira – Jorge Cabeleira e o dia em que seremos todos inúteis
Roberta de Recife – Nordestina
Ricardo Vilas e amigos – Bem Brasil
Waldonys – aprendi com o Rei vol.2
Renato e seus Blue Caps – Renato e seus Blue Caps (1981)
João do Vale – João do Vale (1981)
Segredo de Estado – Segredo de Estado (1992)
Glorinha Gadelha – tudo que ilumina (1993)
Dorival Caymmi – Songbook Dorival Caymmi vol. 4 (1993)
João Batista do Vale – João Batista do Vale (1994)
Various Artists – Viva Gonzagão! É forró, é xote, é baião (1994 tribute to Gonzaguinha)
Jorge Mautner – Bomba de estrelas (1995 tribute album to Jorge Mautner)
Zé Ramalho, Geraldo Azevedo, Alceu Valença and Elba Ramalho – O grande encontro (1996) (5× Platinum)
Xuxa – Arraiá da Xuxa (1997)
Dominguinhos & Various Artists – Dominguinhos e convidados cantam Luiz Gonzaga (1997)
Falcão – A Um Passo da MPB (1997)
Boca Livre – Boca Livre, 20 anos - convida (1997)
André Luiz Oliveira – Mensagem de Fernando Pessoa (1997)
Zé Ramalho, Geraldo Azevedo and Elba Ramalho – O grande encontro 2 (1997) (Gold)
Various Artists – Casa do forró - ao vivo (1998)
Geraldo Azevedo – Raízes e Frutos (1998)
Fagner – Amigos e Canções (1998)
Alcymar Monteiro – Festa Brasileira (1999)
Elba Ramalho – Solar (1999)
Zeca Baleiro – Vô imbolá (1999)
Marinês – Marinês & sua gente - 50 anos de forró (1999)
Various Artists – Jackson do Pandeiro - revisto e sampleado (1999 tribute album to Jackson do Pandeiro)
Various Artists – O submarino verde e amarelo (2000)
Various Artists – Reiginaldo Rossi - um tributo (2000 tribute to Reiginaldo Rossi)
Various Artists – O melhor do forró no maior São João do mundo (2000)
Zé Ramalho, Elba Ramalho, Geraldo Azevedo – O grande encontro 3 - ao vivo (Gold)
Various Artists – Forró Força Livre - vol 3 (2001)
Various Artists – John Lennon - uma homenagem (2001 tribute album to John Lennon
Gonzaguinha & Various Artists – Duetos com Mestre Lua (2001)
Rastapé – Até o Dia Clarear (2002)
Various Artists – Forró da feira 2 (2002)
Various Artists – Lisbela e o Prisioneiro (2003)
Jota Quest – Oxigênio (2003)
Paulo Cesar Barros & Various Artists – Estrada (2004)
Various Artists – Um barzinho, um violão - ao vivo (2004)
Chitãozinho & Xororó – Aqui o Sistema é Bruto (2004)
Léo e Bia – Léo e Bia 1973 - edição especial (2005)
Beto Brito – Imbolê (2007)
Os Paralamas do Sucesso – Brasil Afora (2009)
Andreas Kisser – Hubris I & II (2009)