LUCAS

Its my first review of Marco Antonio Araujo and its actually quite strange begin with this album, since my favorite is "Influencias". I guess that begning with the end still has some magic.

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.

The prog world was robbed of one of its most overlooked talents when Marco Antônio Araújo died in early 1986, not least because his final album - Lucas - shows such an incredible musical growth. The crown jewel of the album is the side-long epic Lembranças, a rowdy composition which shows more drama and flair that suggested by the more tranquil album that preceded this (Entre Um Silencio E Outro), but the second side has a few gems too, with Araújo's Anthony Phillips-like classical guitar skills on display just as much as his skills as a band leader and composer. The album concludes with a number dedicated to Jimmy Page, though only the folkiest Led Zeppelin moments are called on here. If this is to be Araújo's monument, it's certainly one to be proud of.

More of the same ? Not at all. Differences are very noticeable between the four MAA albums; and for music appreciators it is commonly accepted as a good point. From his masterpiece "Influencias" (imho the best progressive album already recorded in Brazil), some pastoral feelings can be felt; but this one really "rocks" much more. The is nothing from "Entre Um Silencio e Outro" (Between one silence and another); which is an almost classical piece and is not so easy to digest and understand.

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

Fourth review.

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.