“American pop bands were always popular in Brasil, but by the late 1980s they were ubiquitous with every youngin in São Paulo. My teenaged big sister was no exception, and had saved enough to start her own little record collection. One evening after our family dinner she grabs me and through a giant smile tells me I’m in for a treat—she’s taking me on my first trip to the record store!”
“Of course being like 5 years old if it didn’t have wheels or big muscles I simply wasn’t interested. But that sparkle in her eye told me I was going. When we arrived at the record store, my sister went about the aisles. Imported records were expensive in Brasil so she decided to pick ones she thought had good replay value; The Police’s Synchronicity, Paul McCartney’s All The Best, and Aha’s Hunting High And Low.
I on the other hand knew what I wanted the moment I saw it. Amongst the releases posted on the wall, there was one album cover clearly staring back at me—a huge stark figure stood center over the frame, his eyes had the fury of a vengeful angel, his powerful arms stretched forth, searching for justice. He didn’t quite have a Batman helmet on, but for sure he had superpowers, and I surmised also fought evil, most likely. This thing had practically picked me. Written across the cover in bold letters was what I assumed was his superhero name: AMADEUS, (Original Soundtrack Recording).
When we got home I insisted my sister put on my record first, and with a funny grin she obliged. Unfortunately the next thing I remember is being in my bed, already changed into my pajamas. Guess my love for Mozart came much later. The albums my sister bought for herself however, ended up sparking my love of pop music for the rest of my life. Hearing “No More Lonely Nights” still brings me back to those days.
In retrospect, it’s amazing that even though I had no idea what was being sung, I loved it and somehow felt like these were new friends, I just never met them and they were on the other side of the world. I mean, I’d ask my sister what “Ebony and Ivory” meant in English, but usually after a fruitless explanation and an empty nod from me, I’d just continue soaking in the pure feeling coming out of those speakers.
Those songs—the musical expression of an English guy I never met (in this case Paul), singing in a language I didn’t know could transcend culture, age, and gave me a taste of the true human experience. That’s the power of music that’s always been magical to me, and is the compass I’ll keep following until I can create no more.”
—Edson Choi
Talk Time’s current single, “Desperate Weather,” co-produced by Math Bishop (U2, The Killers, Silversun Pickups), is in stores now.
