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Since I Could Not Resist…

That is where Taylor Swift, who currently has the number 1 song in America on the Billboard Hot 100 (in case if you have been listening to too much Sergio Mendes or some of my other blog selections), what a way to welcome one of my favorite artists to the land of all things sun and samba. Each of Brazil’s states is all over this special type sweatshirt, which they also use during World Cup soccer tournaments and other special events.

“Taylor Swift currently has the #1 song in America, once again, and that feels like small potatoes for her. At this point, Swift is basically bigger than popular music these days, and everything she does is a cultural event. Taylor Swift shows up in Brazil, and they turn the Christ The Redeemer statue into a damn Swiftie. Swift even causes cultural events without even doing anything, as was the case on last night (Tuesday’s) episode of Dancing With The Stars.”

Tom Breihan, senior columnist at Stereogum and author of The Number Ones: Twenty Chart-Topping Hits That Reveal The History of Pop Music (2022)

Thanks ABC, thanks:

In starting her highly anticipated “The Eras Tour” on its’ first international leg (marred by the sad tragedy of that one young woman who suffered in over 140 degree heat this past Friday, and that was at night–officials reacted too late in setting up water stations and passing out free water bottles to all concert goers.)

Should have taken a page of what they do at Coachella for two weekends in April, along with at Pitchfork (sadly the site was gutted on January 17, 2024) and Lollapalooza each July in Chicago.

Even during a special meeting on November 16, Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes confirmed the projection would occur, comparing Swift to Michael Jackson in the process. “We will properly honor Taylor Swift and her arrival to carioca territory tonight.”

His X/Twitter account talked about why he made his decision. The clip runs for 31 seconds.

As for me, I became a fan of Taylor when her 1989 album was released in October 2014. 1989 was a very special year in my life–and I can still recall many events that impacted me in so many ways.

Anyways, to all of my fans and especially the Brazilian jazz artists who proudly call the United States home:

Image courtesy of the Wonderbly Blog

One small tip if I may:

Please try to not have too much turkey. I know this from having seen 10 people eat parts of a 23 pound bird from Butterball in the early 1990’s. These days, a 12-13 pound turkey is more than enough for a modest, small gathering since many of my past inspirations that I had the pleasure of passing the gravy around are in the same place that Brazil’s founding fathers are–in that golden box up in the sky.

Save some room for my favorite side dishes–stuffing and homemade cranberry sauce (yum, yum.) I could eat that for days, just as long as you don’t stain the carpet or your clothes–those stains are extremely hard to come off, even after multiple washings. Pair that with some 90 percent baked Rhodes dinner rolls, and you should be good to go.

See you in a few weeks for a similar pop rock themed album to close out my year in reviewing the latest cool Brazilian jazz this side of the Equator.

And to those loyal fans reading in Brazil, please drink a lot of water and please find some shade. Any shade and fans will do.

E para os fãs leais que leem no Brasil, por favor, bebam muita água e encontrem um pouco de sombra. Qualquer sombra e ventiladores servem.