61 Versions of Tico Tico

MP3s: 61 versions of Tico Tico below the jump

Maybe the reason I keep playing single-chord songs on my show lately is because at one time, I couldn't get enough of the song Tico Tico, the tune that packs in more notes per measure than a scat singer on Dexedrine. I stumbled onto my cassette cache of Tico Tico's the other day, and without someone nearby to slap some sense into me, I ripped all of them. Then I came to the station and proceeded to find even more versions. Then I stupidly searched online and.. and...and... just go below the jump for all 61 versions.

Tico Tico was written in 1917 by Zequinha de Abreu. The song's first title was actually Tico Tico no Farelo, and in the 40's it became Tico Tico no Fuba. The song was imported to the US by Disney via their animated piece of World War Two-era Happy Latinos propaganda, "Saludos Amigos," in which Donald Duck introduces the song. That version is below. Do I want more versions? No. Unless you have the Captain Beefheart version. I gave up my Tico Tico obsession on the air years ago because I quickly discovered it was a bottomless pit of wants, desires and notes. Lots of notes. Three hour's worth (note to Kenny G: don't do it!)

Next song to get this treatement, The Internationale. It has fewer notes.

Xavier Cugat  |  Ruben Calzado  |  Jensen Publication Marching Band |

Andre Verchuren  |  Ethel Smith and The Bando Carioca  |  Palm Court Project |

Xavier Cugat #2  | Don Amore Orchestra  |  101 Strings  |  Johan Dalgas Frisch |

Bob Sobodon Vicicevic  |  Henry Mancini  |  The Andrews Sisters |

Eddie Layton  |  Disney Version from Saludos Amigos  | Henry King Orchestra  |  Al Stephano Trio  | 

Lenny Herman  |  George Feyer  |   George Feyer # 2  |  Les Baxter  | 
Esy Morales and Roberto Gomez  | 

Les Baxter Trio  |   Riviera Orchestra  |  Esquivel  |  Liberace  |  Bloomfield College Band  |  Ferrante & Teicher #1  |

Jo Anne Castle  |  Paco DeLucia  |  Lucien Jeunesse  |  Ferrante & Teicher #2  |  Shooby Taylor  |

The Harmonicats  |  Bonnie Pruden  |  Mickey Katz  |  Les Paul and Mary Ford  |  Microscopic Septet  |

Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra  |  Nestor Amaral  |  Raymond Scott & Dorothy Collins  |

James Moody  |  Don Swan Orchestra  |  Bajan  |  Banda Black Trio  | 
Baraban Notenarchiv  |

Boots Musulli Quartet  |  Charlie Parker  |  Desi Arnez  |  Ebony and Ivory  |  Enric Madriguera  |

Familia Lima  |  James Booker  |  James Last  |  Jorge Vega  |  Laura Villasol Quinteto  |

Korean Mandolin Orchestra  |  Paula Green  |  Perez Prado  |  Philharmonic Jazz  |  SHS Jazz Choir  |

Comments

[kevin Clark]

Try Youtube-type in Bobby McFerran or Urzlua Dudziak--a fantastic vocal duo version!

[Toby Hanson]

What? No versions by Myron Floren or Dick Contino? Tico-Tico is an accordion standard; one of the warhorses.

[C19]

How on earth could you forget the Three Suns?

[Peter Le Faucheur]

Jazz guitarist Grant Green does one of the finest arrangements of "Tico-Tico" on the Blue Note CD "The Latin Bit". The session is from 1962(April/September) and features Grant playing at his peak level backed by Ike Quebec (tenor sax) Carlos"Potato" Valdez (congas)Willie Bobo (drums) Johnny Acea(piano) Wendell Marshall(bass)Carvin Masseaux (chekere).
Also to be found on this CD are superb versions of "Besame Mucho", "The Mambo Inn" (which is covered alot by George Benson today).."Brazil" & "Grenada".

[eric baxter]

It's like looking into the mind of god.

[eric baxter]

P.S. I think the opening soliloquy from Richard III would fit Tico Tico"

Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York;

And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.

Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths;
Our bruised arms hung up for monuments;

Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings,
Our dreadful marches to delightful measures.

Etc...

[Bob Brunius]

I have a copy of Jimmy Bryant's version of Tico Tico. I can email it to you if you would like to hear it.

[Doug Yoel]

We were going to put Charlie Parker's version of "Tico Tico" on the new Roy Haynes boxed set. If I knew that cut had such a cult following, it may have made the cut!

I thought to research this song a little more today when I saw a version online by the Grateful Dead from 1974! Check it out here at: http://dead.net/features/gd-radio-hour/grateful-dead-hour-no-794

[vic holtzinger]

I figured out how to dwnld,right click,save target as;I listened to Ethel Smiths version,I am almost certain this is the version I heard my Mom and Dad dancing to in 1948 when I was 5,I have dwnlded other versions including Xavier Cougats',if anyone knows what version was most likely playing on the radio in 1948,I would appreciate a shout.
vic711h@yahoo.com

Love the "Taco Tico" and "Stairway To Heaven" collections. Please do it with "Popcorn" - there are lots of covers out there.

[Stephen Schmidt]

Check out this video from a very young keyboardist with a synthesizer:

http://www.sydesjokes.com/members/movies/young_pianist.wmv

[The_Doctor]

The Klaus Wunderlich version is my favorite - http://rapidshare.com/files/113311538/Tico_Tico_-_Klaus_Wunderlich.mp3.html

[PJ]

I can't wait for the Internationale!

[David Foot]

There was another version recorded for the "London Horn Sound" CD - an arrangement for 8 or so French Horns, well worth a listen.

[Erminia]

Fabulous blog! I love the 101 strings version. It is energetic, yet faithful...

[rajeev krishnamoorthy]

The Isabelle Boulay version is IMHO the best vocal version. She copies the ~1940's Alys Robi interpretation, but does it one better. Both are terrific.

Rajeev

[dapdudida]

STEFANO BOLLANI
SUPER VERSION REALLY YEAH!
JAZZ LATIN!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKV8MXUx5jE
It's incredible!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFir8uy4piY

[Lefty Kongalides]

One more addition to your list.A 1943 Greek version by male singer Photis Polymeris.

[tico tico fan]

Amazing site! I didn't know, there was SO many versions of this great song ;)
Thanks for this!

[angelika]

Hi and best regards from Germany - love your site coz I am also collecting versions of "Tico Tico" for many years :-9

Here is one you may not know jet:
4hand played on one guitarre :-) Amazing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcsSPzr7ays&feature=player_embedded

cordialmente

angelika

[terry o'stipe]

oh crazy. my favorite song is Tico Tico by Skeewiff. It is AMAZING. Didnt even know it was a 'thing' til I found this site. Check it out !

[David]

The David Grisman Quintet also recorded a very nice version with mandolin and flute. "Dawganova" is the title of the CD.
Thanks for a great website!

[Scott]

Hot Jazz Groupe has a great dixielandish-but-not-really version of Tico Tico, you can hear it on the Dixieland Gumbo internet radio station now and then.

[Lefty Kongalides]

An unknown version of "tico tico" was sent to me by a friend.It's by Argentina's Libertad Lamarque and probably recorded in Mexico where she spent most of her life and career.

[Anthony]

A version by Canadian pianist, Michael Kaeshammer, on his 1996 debut album Blue Keys