An album of versions of Miguel Araújo’s songs was released this Friday. Created by João Só, “Recantigas – As Canções de Miguel Araújo” took him to the studio twenty names from Portuguese music for a reinterpretation of the Porto musician’s repertoire, with new arrangements. The result is announced just a few weeks after concerts commemorating Miguel Araújo’s 20th career anniversary, in Porto and Lisbon.
The ‘cast’ is made up of Ana Bacalhau, António Zambujo, Bárbara Tinoco, Buba Espinho, Camané & Mário Laginha, Carolina de Deus, Carminho, David Fonseca, Elisa, HMB, Joana Almeirante, Joana Espadinha, João Só, Jorge Palma, Mafalda Veiga, Mimi Froes, Nena, Os Quatro e Meia, Samuel Úria and S. Pedro.
Aware that “this herculean undertaking was underway”, Miguel Araújo reacted enthusiastically to the album in his tribute that now arrives: “This is real. From now on it is even more real, as it has just been released to the world. My João Só, with whom I have been childhood friends since I was 31 (his 21), has just granted me the honor of a lifetime. He conceived, concretized and masterfully produced, using his tireless genius, an album of 20 of my songs, on the occasion of my 20 years of authorial life”.
“I asked them not to inform me of absolutely anything. Not about the chosen songs, nor about the performers. I didn’t follow anything because I wanted to have the very rare privilege of listening to everything at once, benefiting from the absolute surprise. That day has arrived”, exults the author of ‘Capitão Fantástico’ or ‘Sangemil’, songs present on an album that also revisits Araújo nos Azeitonas’ repertoire and given to other artists (as in the case from ‘Reader’s Digest’, recorded by António Zambujo and reinterpreted on this album by Buba Espinho.
“It’s the honor of a lifetime. Some of my old heroes singing my songs. Great people much younger than me singing my songs. An exemplary, timeless musical production, elevating my modest compositions to heights that even they could never aspire to. I am eternally grateful to this pantheon of heroes who participated in this selection of Recantigas. (…) It’s a lot of emotion”, he concludes.
This release follows the EP “Cê Barra”, released in October, which brings together Araújo’s collaborations with artists and long-time friends such as Rui Veloso, António Zambujo, Os Quatro e Meia and João Só.
The concerts commemorating Miguel Araújo’s 20-year career take place on October 28th, 29th and 30th at the Super Bock Arena – Pavilhão Rosa Mota, in Porto and November 1st at the MEO Arena, in Lisbonbeing sold out.
The post “This is real. My friend João Só has just given me the honor of a lifetime”: the surprise album paying homage to Miguel Araújo appeared first on Veritas News.
