January 25 marks the birthday of the legendary Brazilian composer and multi-instrumentalist Antonio Carlos Jobim. Born in 1927, Jobim was instrumental in bringing Brazilian music and Bossa Nova to the ears of listeners around the world, and penned many tunes that defined the era. Jobim appeared on A&M via Creed Taylor’s CTi label by way of two albums, Wave and Tide, and appeared uncredited on the Brasil ’66 album Equinox.
Carpenters also made the news today in 1975 when their single “Please, Mr. Postman” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The original version by The Marvelettes was the first #1 single for the fledgling Motown Records label, and this song, along with a handful of others, holds the distinction of reaching #1 performed by two different artists. “Venus” by Shocking Blue hit #1 in 1970, while Bananarama’s version reached the top in 1986. Grand Funk and Little Eva both took the Goffin-King tune “The Loco-Motion” to #1, and another composition of theirs, “Go Away Little Girl,” would reach #1 two times at the hands of Steve Lawrence and Donny Osmond.
Brazil's Cole Porter. Happy Birthday, Tom.