Filarmónica Fraude - Epopeia,LP,1969,Portugal

This album, a true pearl of portuguese music, is something surprizing. For it proposes an inovative sound, even if it follows the first recordings of Quarteto 1111, giving us a bronze armour sonority. An orchestral sound, epic, progressive, medieval, folk, pop, R&B, a cappela... in the end, a whole richness to discover. 1969 is the year, already after the "fall" of the chair by Salazar, but before still his death. It's a audacious picture of the country's political situation and tradition. Stories of the prince who goes to fight in the war, be demmand of the king, leaving behind him, his young girl, like in middle ages did. That is, distant and glorious situations (like the regime proppeled) to denounce the (then) present times. Influences? It's not not easy to see where they come from, but there's some Beatles in it. For example, in "Só Marinheiros e Escravos", with those maginificent violins, remind very "Eleanor Rigby". Or the begining of "Digo Dai", it seems to be the most known song of the album (even my mother remembers it), that suggests me "Piggies". The instrumentation and the arrangements are great. Just great to feature among the Portuguese popular historical music best albums (like some people consider). Violinis, cellos, harpsicords, organ, choirs, various percussions, harp... Yes, this was a non-common group. Like it would be proved later, if any had doubts, in Banda do Casaco.

Well you might find this too "soft" for Mutant Sounds,BUT ,listen closely....excellent compositions reminding Beach Boys's Pet Sounds or Beatles Revolver,combined with a meditteranean feeling and blended with acid folkish tunes.A magickal LP.

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