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MARCO ANTÔNIO ARAÚJO

Prog Folk • Brazil


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Marco Antônio Araújo picture
Marco Antônio Araújo biography
Born August 28, 1949 (Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil) - January 6, 1986

On 1968 he played in a band called VOX POPULI, that later would become SOM IMAGINÁRIO. In 1970, and now living in England, he used to be a fan of bands such as: PINK FLOYD, LED ZEPPELIN and GENESIS, who would have great influence on his musical production. Within the next few years, MARCO ANTONIO ARAUJO studied guitar and cello in Rio de Janeiro.

In 1977, once again in Belo Horizonte, he joined the symphonic orchestra and soon (1980) his first album, "Influências" was released. With only six instrumental tracks, he had already achieved an amazing sense of balance and created a personal style.

MARCO ANTONIO ARAUJO is a classic when it comes to brazilian prog, and also a highly recomended artist for anyone who likes both symphonic rock and prog folk.

Sadly, Marco has passed away on Jan, 07, 1986, at the age of 36 of an aneurism.

: : : Jonas, BELO HORIZONTE : : :

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MARCO ANTÔNIO ARAÚJO discography


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MARCO ANTÔNIO ARAÚJO top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.08 | 42 ratings
Influências
1981
3.68 | 32 ratings
Quando A Sorte Te Solta Um Cisne Na Noite
1982
3.66 | 26 ratings
Entre Um Silencio E Outro
1983
4.44 | 64 ratings
Lucas
1984

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MARCO ANTÔNIO ARAÚJO Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.05 | 4 ratings
Animal Racional
1984

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MARCO ANTÔNIO ARAÚJO Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Quando A Sorte Te Solta Um Cisne Na Noite by ARAÚJO, MARCO ANTÔNIO album cover Studio Album, 1982
3.68 | 32 ratings

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Quando A Sorte Te Solta Um Cisne Na Noite
Marco Antônio Araújo Prog Folk

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Araújo's second album feels a bit less fresh than his debut. Once again he's wearing his influences on his sleeve, with Floydiana being an attempt to riff on some of Pink Floyd's signature sound (especially with that David Gilmour-esque guitar line partway through it), whilst "Pop Music" is anything but, sounding if anything like early PFM trying for the sort of jazzy texture of early Caravan. I think the release suffers compared to Araújo's other albums, which tend to have a bit more polish; it's a bit of a transitional piece where he's feeling out a lot of potential directions, all of which he's able to produce appealing material in, but he's not committing enough to truly excel at any of them.
 Influências by ARAÚJO, MARCO ANTÔNIO album cover Studio Album, 1981
4.08 | 42 ratings

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Influências
Marco Antônio Araújo Prog Folk

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

5 stars This striking first album from Marco Antônio Araújo finds him strongly influenced by a range of British prog artists (especially those from the folk-influenced end of the genre) of the sort he'd heard during a long stint living in the UK before returning to Brazil. The obvious touchstone is Mike Oldfield, but instead of acting as a multi-instrumentalist Marco instead brings in a broad variety of artists in order to achieve a big, broad sound. At the same time, there's a raucous edge of things which will remind listeners strongly of Jethro Tull, especially when Eduardo Delgado lets rip on the flute, and there's enough additional ingredients in the mix that the compositions never quite drift into simple imitation of any one artist. Recommended for all fans of instrumental folk-prog.
 Lucas by ARAÚJO, MARCO ANTÔNIO album cover Studio Album, 1984
4.44 | 64 ratings

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Lucas
Marco Antônio Araújo Prog Folk

Review by crimson_smoog

4 stars 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.

 Lucas by ARAÚJO, MARCO ANTÔNIO album cover Studio Album, 1984
4.44 | 64 ratings

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Lucas
Marco Antônio Araújo Prog Folk

Review by Antonio Giacomin

5 stars 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

 Quando A Sorte Te Solta Um Cisne Na Noite by ARAÚJO, MARCO ANTÔNIO album cover Studio Album, 1982
3.68 | 32 ratings

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Quando A Sorte Te Solta Um Cisne Na Noite
Marco Antônio Araújo Prog Folk

Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars It would be a shame if the beauty of Araujo's debut would not have been warmly received by the public and the album was reputedly a critical success, that led to a total sum of 74 concerts for the Brazilian composer and his backing group.The reports say that he even performed in factories in front of the workers during their lunchtime!In 1982 a second album was released independently under the poetic title ''Quando a sorte te solta um cisne na noite'' with the addition of pianist Max Magalhaes, while the huge wind-instrument department of the debut was replaced by one Sergio Gomes on trumpet.This one was recorded in just two days at the famous Estudios Da Sigla in Rio De Janeiro.

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.

 Lucas by ARAÚJO, MARCO ANTÔNIO album cover Studio Album, 1984
4.44 | 64 ratings

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Lucas
Marco Antônio Araújo Prog Folk

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

5 stars 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.
 Entre Um Silencio E Outro by ARAÚJO, MARCO ANTÔNIO album cover Studio Album, 1983
3.66 | 26 ratings

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Entre Um Silencio E Outro
Marco Antônio Araújo Prog Folk

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Marco Antônio Araújo's Entre um Silêncio e Outro casts Marco as Brazil's answer to Anthony Phillips, presenting epic compositions stuffed with classical and historical folk influences and dripping with romanticism - plus a little influence from the folkier side of Italian prog creeping in here and there. Comprising, in its original release, the two side-long Fantasia nos. 2 and 3 suites, it's a gentle and eerily beautiful soundscape which compares favourably to other folk- rooted prog-tinged sonic experiments like Mike Oldfield's Hergest Ridge. Hazy and impressionistic as its smudgy watercolour cover art, Entre um Silêncio e Outro is an album which deserves a little more recognition from the prog community.
 Lucas by ARAÚJO, MARCO ANTÔNIO album cover Studio Album, 1984
4.44 | 64 ratings

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Lucas
Marco Antônio Araújo Prog Folk

Review by GKR

5 stars 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.

 Quando A Sorte Te Solta Um Cisne Na Noite by ARAÚJO, MARCO ANTÔNIO album cover Studio Album, 1982
3.68 | 32 ratings

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Quando A Sorte Te Solta Um Cisne Na Noite
Marco Antônio Araújo Prog Folk

Review by GKR

5 stars My admiration for Marco Antonio Araujo grows more and more, every time I listen and listen again to his albums. Being my favoutire "Influências" and then "Lucas", I never really move myself to evaluate his two middle albums. Well, I should have. And now I have to put "Quando a sorte te solta um cisne na noite" as my second favorite.

"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.

 Influências by ARAÚJO, MARCO ANTÔNIO album cover Studio Album, 1981
4.08 | 42 ratings

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Influências
Marco Antônio Araújo Prog Folk

Review by GKR

5 stars A true brazilian musical masterpiece.

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.

Thanks to ProgLucky for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

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