Dreamsong
— Brazilian Popular Music (Música Popular Brasileira or MPB) is a genre that has remained strong in Brazilian music since it first appeared in the early 1960s. Although in recent years, there has been a tendency to recycle old hits, once in a while a new release appears in the market to restore my faith in MPB. Case in point, the new album by Luciano Franco and Dalwton Moura, Sonho ou Canção.
Luciano Franco (Cascavél, CE, 1951) is known as a superb composer, guitarist, pianist, bassist, and arranger. He has released two previous instrumental albums – Luciano Franco (2004) and Rio Novo (2009) — before embarking on this new venture with journalist, poet, guitarist, and lyricist Dalwton Moura (Teresina, PI, 1980). Luciano is highly respected as one of the top musicians in Ceará, having previously performed and recorded with names including Dominguinhos, Arismar do Espírito Santo, Fábio Torres (Latin Grammy winner), Adriano Giffoni, and several others. His career spans over 45 years with critical and public acclaim. As for Dalwton, his previous album with music by Rogério Franco — Futuro e Memória (2018) — is a solid testament to his skillful songwriting abilities.
Luciano Franco & Dalwton Moura
Sonho ou Canção features fifteen new songs with performers that represent Brazil from north to south. The beautiful artwork was created by Ceará visual artist Raisa Christina with the graphic project direction by Caio Castelo. Some of the songs had previously been recorded in instrumental versions, while others had not. For Dalwton, he says that every time he discovers a new composition by Luciano, “it’s a new passion that takes place.” Furthermore, Luciano “is a prolific songwriter, with hundreds of songs,” Dalwton adds. When I asked Dalwton about the idea for the album, he mentioned that “the thematic axis of the songs” leads to “different poetic and musical possibilities, at the same time referring to this guiding line – and dreamy nature.” It is indeed an album of dreaming songs with a melodic line that entrances and pleases the listener. He continues:
| The dream, the music, the art exist because life, alone, is not enough. It is an invitation to another atmosphere, another state of mind, a resumption of our possibility to dream and live and have friends and live with humanism and respect and believe in the construction of another society, other sensibilities, other values. At the same time, when facing the reality from which we cannot escape, we also find cracks in the light of these dreams, when we insist on this disposition, this battle, this way of seeing and living life. |
While in his first album — Futuro e Memória — there was a noticeable presence of artists from Ceará, here in Sonho ou Canção, the emphasis is Luciano’s music with melodies that take us to jazz, Bossa Nova, Samba, and ballads. There are a number of special guests featured in the album. From Rio de Janeiro, there are Roberto Menescal and Luciana Alves, (although originally from São Paulo, but now living in Rio); from São Paulo, Arismar do Espírito Santo and Fábio Torres, among others; from the USA, Priscilla Odinmah is featured. Of course, there are several musicians from Ceará: Lorena Nunes, Marcos Lessa, Idilva Germano, Humberto Pinho, Edinho Vilas Boas, and others.
The opener of this fine collection, “Presságio” (“Omen”), sets the tone for the many dreams you will experience in the album:
| The start of everything On the edge of the world An omen to be like this The promise of a time More feelings Of a dream without end |
The superb bluesy “Noite – Dia” brings Luciana Alves centerstage. The verses take you on a journey for lovers who have “lived a great love and know how much it costs to wait.” The song is magnificently crafted with unforgettable soft vocals, piano, and guitar solos.
I have listened to Sonho ou Canção several times. The beauty of these melodies and poetry I hear only grow with each listening experience. Although the year has barely begun, Sonho ou Canção will hold its place as one of the best releases of 2019. Let the music speak for itself. I give you Idilva Germano‘s rendition of “Tudo de Novo” on the night the CD was released in Fortaleza just this past February 1st. Live the dream!
ALBUM INFORMATION
Luciano Franco & Dalwton Moura
Sonho ou Canção
Independent (2019)
Time: 63’00”
Tracks (all music by Luciano Franco and lyrics by Dalwton Moura):
- Presságio – feat. Junior Meirelles, Paulo Façanha
- Noite – Dia – feat. Luciana Alves
- Sonho ou Canção – feat. Bia Goes
- Paths Of Mystery – feat. Priscilla Odinmah
- Tudo de Novo – feat. Idilva Germano
- Um Sonho a Mais – feat. Anna Canário
- As Estrelas – feat. Edson Montenegro
- Sempre a Perguntar – feat. Humberto Pinho
- Estrela do Meu Cantar – feat. Adelson Viana
- Break The Spell – feat. Lorena Nunes
- Um Outro Olhar – feat. Marcos Lessa
- Melancolia – feat. Ray Miranda
- Carmim – feat. Lúcio Ricardo
- Hora de Sambar – feat. Melquíades
- Baião Sem Fim – feat. Edinho Vilas Boas
