Personal notes
a little tragedy
On a hot summer day in 1983 I did something stupid. I lost Fausto's LP 'Por este rio acima'. I left it standing in a train when waking up at the station. This wasn't my LP to lose: it was Eric Zoet's. For years I tried to regain it: specialized stores; import attempts; in Portugal I browsed stores. No luck. I feared I lost this wonderfull music forever. Yet in 1995 I did find 'Cronicas de terra ardente' instead. The subdued music of the '90s Fausto grew on me. Thanks to the internet Fausto CD's are available at last; through a German mailorder company I finally payed my debt of honour to Eric. In this same order also the live 2CD 'Â grande, grande é a viagem' and the early album 'Pró que der e vier'.memories
When I received my 2nd delivery of Fausto CD's from Germany, I was surprised to know most songs of 'Um beco com saida' already. That cute jumpy bass sound I associate with 60s legends Softmachine. 'Madrugada dos trapeiros' brought back memories of Lisbon 1981. My playing attitude vs the pourly hidden poverty of some people we hung out with. Like Eric's friend from Cabu Verde Franky and his gang in 'the Peseta'. The walks in 'Jardin d'Estrella, Campo d'Ourique' with the ladies Isabel d'Oliveira Pereira and Christina Sampaio. And I nearly forgot how remarkably beautiful 'Historias de viajeiros' is, yes it's a strong favourite of mine. At time reminiscent of the Moody blues but for the most part that very unique Fausto.the new sound
When Paolo told me about 'A ópera mágica do cantor maldito' (nov 2003) I was all over the web, and to my delight somlivre offered it - and even 2 more titles on my wish-list (gaping holes in my collection): 'O Despertar dos Alquimistas' (1985) and 'Para Além das Cordilheiras' (1987). I've been driving my car these days listening to nothing but Fausto: these albums RULE !I was comforted to realize Fausto hadn't lost it, he just lied low for nine years. The new album has marvelous songs and an amazingly fresh sound. I think the musicianship is better than ever before. A wide array of folk and orchestral instruments is used, even a chorus (and as a bass player I notice the tasteful use of the low B-string). And quite some synthesizing that works really well. The guest vocals are a nice surprise, and so well done: Amelia Muge gave me goosebumps!
Naively listening
I have only a superficial idea of Fausto's lyrics. It reminds me of listening to the radio when I was a kid and didn't understand english. The vague notion of the songs on an emotional level left space for the imagination. Fausto is a story teller, maybe an intellectual: he uses words like 'Marxism'; 'Cybernetics'; 'Misantrope'. But all I hear is his warm empathic voice, the expressive rhythmic singing, the richly sculpted words. Still: I wish I had english translations, only adding to the enchantement.Fausto rated !
Two years ago I suggested some of Fausto's titles to Gnosis, a great web-resource for anyone truly interested in (progressive) music. A selected choir of music raters and reviewers teams up for 'objectivity by numbers'. Take your time and browse that site. Recently one portuguese rates, Paulo Renato came to the Gnosis team and rated the Fausto albums. He gave an incredible 13/15 to 'A ópera mágica do cantor maldito' and some 12's and 11's to other albums. Also a French guy, Bruno Chavatte rated two of the albums. Let's see what the future brings.what is still to come
Fausto in Santarem
