DOS BENEFÍCIOS DUM VENDIDO NO REINO DOS BONIFÁCIOS

Banda do Casaco surely had the knowhow and when freedom of speech came to Portugal (1974...so late) they started recording one album each year, and this was the first, in75. It´s not better nor worst than their other abums from the 70´s, at least the ones i know (the first three), wich indicates that this was a very consistent group of musicians despiste the formation changes and various guests. They always seemed to be able to keep things interesting no matter what they did.

The Music: This is Folk,Prog Folk, not Rock! this has no Rock at all, this doesn´t even have drums, just some ocasional percussion here and there. still it has great rythm when it´s intended to.This are characteristics of Portuguese tradicional music, low on percussion, high on vocals and a sad feeling to it, melodies to make you cry...just like Fado! (Fado:tradicional music that consists in vocals and acoustic guitars of various types and sizes, exclusive from Portugal) Vocals are the main instrument and all the other instruments come and go as they support the excellent lyrics,all in Portuguese...please don´t ask me to translate,i haven´t got the time nor the knowledge to do so. I can only say that the lyrics are very political due to the times they where going through (Portugal just had a revolution,the fascist pigs got their ass kicked!)...political but ironic and funny, always simple...these where words for the people to understand, people who had been repressed for too long...i think you got the picture!

The Instruments: This guys played...everything, i don´t even know what...! Everything but drums, though not missed... the thing about BDC´s music are the melodies, the multi-instrumentalism and the message in the words, not the rythm. Remember Gentle Giant? these guys play as many, probably even more instruments than GG! And they do it very well, with virtuosity!(like GG!) And they go from very simple to extremely complicated in a blink of an eye, without any fuzz! Great dynamics!

So, if you want prog rock long epics you should keep away, this has no drums, does not rock and the tracks are short.

But if you are openminded and you´re looking for some folk orientated original music this is it! ...and even if you don´t catch a word of Portuguese this will still be pleasant, this certainly dodges the obvious and that´s what prog is about... something like you never heard before! Try it!

4 solid stars!

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