MARCO ANTÔNIO ARAÚJO

Introduction: Arguably one of the best instrumentalists that Brazil had the pleasure of having. A man that dedicated his soul and body to the music by studying musical composition and by loving classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Genesis. Sadly, his life ends with a premature death in the pinnacle of his career.

Album (General) - Lucas: The last album produced by this incredible musician and dedicated to his second son, Lucas. A great synthesis of Symphonic Prog rock and Folk Prog Rock. In Brazilian Prog Rock from 70's and 80's, I believe the composition level that he reached with this album is only comparable with Bacamarte's Depois do Fim, Terreno Baldio's Terreno Baldio and O Terco's Criaturas da Noite. Definitely, a good album to your collection.

Songs:

Lembrancas - Longest song. The intro is great. It begins with sounds that reminds me of a tide and soon after a flute and, possibly, a synthesizer, which sounds like an electrocardiogram, appear. The song's title is "Memories" and the album is a homage to his second son, therefore we may conclude that the intro is about the birth of his child. The song is highly flute oriented. Piano gives a good classical flavor in the mix. The electric guitar sounds are very original - I just can remember a little of Steve Hackett because of the classical influences. Good cello sounds. It ends with the tide of the beginning.

Caipira - As the song's title says, "Redneck/Hillbilly/Countrified man" (Language barriers, sorry), is like the song is. Obvious folk roots. As the Prog Rock generally does, synthesizers do a great work to provoke a resemblance with classical music.

Lucas - There is some creepy vibe in the beginning. Song's title is the name of the child, therefore a homage. However, I found strange the melancholic feeling of the song. Great acoustic guitar, though.

Para Jimmy Page - A tribute to Jimmy Page. Only Marco Antonio plays. Yes, it seems like Jimmy Page playing. Although, I remember Howe too. I really hope that Page listened to this song.

This is the review of the original album. I will do the CD one, with the bonus tracks, as soon as I get it.

Even if "Influencias" keeps a sentimental value for me, "Lucas" avoids being a simple repetition of the first one; It would have decreased one star in my assessment. There is no condition to deny the beauty of an epic like "Lembrancas"; and MAA decision of recording a side B (good old vinyl times) with three different compositions makes a great step on introducing variation even inside this proper album.

I could say many more things here, but I could repeat myself from what I wrote for "Influencias". Even so, as long as MAA mixed perfectly progressive rock with classical music (euseo in this case), and with Brazilian folk tunes; it makes him very important in order to understand our musical scenario. And if you have listened to a lot of bands, to a huge amount of songs, you should give a chance for your curiosity and give a try to these gems composed by Marco Antonio Araujo. Songs like "Abertura 2" from "Influencias" and "Lembrancas" from "Lucas" are like velvet to our progressive ears.

Five stars, with happiness in my heart

The links of Araujo and similar Brazilian artists like BACAMARTE with the pastoral side of Italian Prog are again very strong in this album with the group sounding very close to PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI, while some emotional passages recall the classic album by MAXOPHONE.Another beautiful offering of Classical and Folk inspirations with a sweet rockin' background, built around the nice electroacoustic changes, the folky sound of flutes and the dreamy work on violin and cello.In fact ''Alegria'' sounds like a complete P.F.M. rip-off at some point, but Araujo would soon restore his personal vibe on acoustic arpeggios, arranging harmonic, instrumental music full of a symphonic finesse and intense, rural soundscapes.Some parts are close to Chamber Folk ala MANEIGE, while some of the delicate, well-worked melodies of the debut are to be missed.With the piano playing a basic role and the electric guitars and bass providing the Prog Rock background, the music is still fairly complex and intricate with nice solos, impessive interplays, even if they are offered in a smooth packaging, and pleasant, sensitive tunes.

Another album from Araujo's back-catalogue reissued by Progressive Rock Worldwide, the bonus tracks in this release are closer to Chamber/Folk Music with basically acoustic instrumentation and Araujo displaying his talent as a composer of Contemporary Classic Music, where strings and flutes come in evidence, while the long ''Cavaleiro + Trilha bale cantares'' contains also some influences by Avant-Garde Music.

Very competent and well-composed Symphonic/Folk Rock in the vein of P.F.M. and BACAMARTE.Delicate, ethereal and demanding music to say the least, strongly recommended to anyone fond of the style...3.5 stars.

MAA is the kind of musician still pretty much unknown in Brazil, he died when he was getting some attention, and did not have a great following post-mortem. The reason for the 5 stars to this album is the progression: you have exactly what made the first album a good debut, and you also have the maturity of the artist. "Lembranças" is an epic with beauty and energy combined. "Caipira" is the acknowledge of Brazilian folk roots, "Lucas" is a delicated music from father to son (although I think that the mix should privilege MAA guitar, and not the keyboard) and "Para (for) Jimmy Page" is a tribute song much like "Floydiana" was in the second album.

The album resembles some of the melodies present from his debut as he was predicting that this was a important work (or even his last).

Once, Chris Welch said that music must "touch the heart". I do believe that "Lucas" is a good reminder of this.

"Quando a sorte te solta um cisne na noite" is strong for his "Floydiana" (Pink Floyd tribute) and the follower "Alegria", were the joy of MAA is always in an erudit sense. Although the title track is of a great quality and go along as a middle ground from the previous tracks, the main song that catch me were the definitive and great closure "Pop Music". Almost a PFM song, working in a classical structure it delivers with greatness all the ideas of the album, producing one of the great progressive tracks from Brazil.

Still waiting for people to full embrace this great artist, that found a distinct "Scholar Rock" style. While waiting, this definetly is that sort of album that deserves full listening and admiration.

Marco Antonio Araujo is probably one of the most unknown progressive music artists in Brazil. A few recognition from another fellow musicians come, now and then, but absolutely no truly recognition. His albums were only released in vynil, and then ten years later (aproximately I think with the remaster and re-organization of tracks from his brother (also a musician with classical learnings). Since then, not even another re-released. More then 20 years without any news, remastering, documentaries, etc.

The album lacks of a strong cover concept and an art that drives you to thinks... but thats why I initiated the review with the above introduction. The photograph in the front seems like an old photo, like a child photograph of you sitting in the sidewalk that your mother kept for thirty years. Giving the fact the Marco Antonio Araujo still waits to be discovered by listeners and musicians, it almost gain a context of a concept.

The music itself, far the oposite of his career and the front cover, is a total pleasure. Recalling his inluences, Marco Antonio Araujo arranges the music in his own way, with a strong progression in every one of them - from the folk to the melodic, from the melodic to the cheer and back. He is perhaps one of the best examples of such a capability of manupulating music on his favor. And the melodies are easy to identify with. As all his music is played by a professional group, nothing is loose. And what is tight doesnt bored or get you tired from repetition.

I give five stars to the professionalism, the progression and the capacity of MAA of touch that obscure spot in our minds with his melodies. And from now on, lets hope that its only in our minds that MAA will ocupy a obscure spot.