Prodigious Talent
— Being able to improve on a long-standing tradition requires a lot of courage and artistry. Márcio Faraco seems to have been born with that innate ability. He does not hide his musical influences in the eleven original songs he penned for this album. Influenced by Brazilian masters Chico Buarque, Milton Nascimento, João Gilberto, and Caetano Veloso, Faraco goes one step further and brings in his innovative style to Brazilian samba, baião, and toada. With his smooth vocals and sometimes even reminiscing of his idols,Faraco’s voice is refreshing. Besides the captivating rhythms and Faraco’s excellent acoustic guitar work, Ciranda has the touch of Brazilian legendary arranger Wagner Tiso, who is most notably known for his remarkable work with Nascimento and the Clube da Esquina (Corner Club) artists. The title track also features vocals by Brazil’s artist of the century, Chico Buarque. Faraco’s expertise in assuming different roles through his lyrics is extraordinary. There is a certain innocence when he is singing about the future of his homeland in the title track, but at the same time, his words are razor sharp as in protest songs. At one moment he is talking through the eyes of a child, and in the next he is singing of the solitude of those who love. His talents in crafting words and music are prodigious.
You can learn more about the artist by visiting Márcio Faraco’s own web site.
ALBUM INFORMATION
Márcio Faraco
Ciranda
Blue Thumb VERF-01035-2 (2000)
Total time: 45’35”
Tracks:
All tracks by Márcio Faraco, except where noted.
- Ciranda (Márcio Faraco – Pedrin Gomes) – w/ Chico Buarque
- Na Casa do Seu Humberto
- Flores pra Iemanjá
- Meu Juramento
- Águas Passadas
- Baile de Máscaras
- A Dor na Escala Richter
- Nostalgia (Márcio Faraco – Didier Sustrac)
- Vitrine Carioca (Márcio Faraco – Ronaldo Lima)
- Nos Braços do Redentor
- Vida ou Game
A shorter version of this review appeared in the January/February 2001 issue of JazzTimes.
