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

[Anthony]

I first heard this piece in early 60's on electric guitar. Since then I was hooked to it. Here is a version by Paco de Lucia:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1ww1l_paco-de-lucia-tico-tico_music

[Gabriela Marques Costa]

"Tico-Tico do Fubá"!
Excellent article!
Congratulations on your tribute to the eternal diva Carmen Miranda.

Please have a look at my blog, where I too make a tribute to Carmen Miranda through my art and paintings.
Best regards,
Gabriela Marques da Costa
http://gabrielamarquescosta.wordpress.com/

[shanzzie]

your missing Alys Robi (Alice Robitaille)

[DL]

Here's the 62nd: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrPiH2pmStA&feature=share

[Paul Staats]

This blog proves that the playing field (at least from a consumer based standpoint) is completely blown out of the water with the number of renditions of the tune.
I stumbled upon Bird's rendition ( I wonder if he ever thought, I'll wind up next to Desi Arnez?) trying to come up with with a tune to perform in solo class (a jazz performance major until I've found a composition school that fits me) this semester.
Thank you for the concise history.
My question is with cats like Bird, Miles... or perhaps Django Reinhardt's influence on any american musicians in the same circles playing the it approx. the same time it was licensed by disney. Are there any documented interest that provoked disney from a marketing standpoint? because they heard a Charlie Parker or Django Reinhardt rendition(whom is the only one i think you should have up and take down Liberace... I'm only have serious because that's what I mean by it levels the playing field.)
For me it's less about the arrangement and more the articulation (or approach to/or) of the melody.
Thank you for your musical obsessions. May your nearly endless pursuit of what unfortunately is only relevant knowledge for a)radio (nice decision), b) the late rock n roll jeopardy, c)generalized music nerds, d)music students
I second your Beefheart request under one condition; Frank produced/arranged it for Beefheart.

[Branjo]

Grant green's version from "A latin bit" is a spicy canyon of velvet.
Sample it here friends: http://youtu.be/iwtiT3-FApU

[Aco]

Can anyone tell me which television programme had 'tico tico' as the theme tune or where it was highly featured in. I think it was probably in the 50's, 60's or 70's. Saw someone playing a violin version of this on morning television and it's now bugging me where it is from 'in my childhood memories'.

[Clovis SALVADOR]

Hello.
A very funny and interesting blog.
Congratulations for this wonderfull work.

Muito engraçado e interessante blog.
Felicitaçoes por esse belo trabalho.

Clovis SALVADOR
(from Brasil)

[John Schick]

I have a Swedish recording on a 78rpm record (Sonora Swing label) which says that Tico-Tico is a Samba from "Fire and Water" (Z. Abreu). It is played on a Hammond Organ by the Willard Ringstrand ensemble. I re-recorded it in MP3.