Memória Das Águas
Fernando Falcão
1981
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Memória Das Águas, released in 1981 by Fernando Falcão, is a singular and deeply experimental album in Brazilian music. Its sound transcends genres, incorporating elements of traditional Brazilian music, classical postmodernism, ambient, jazz, tape experiments, and abstract sounds, many of them originating from instruments created by the artist himself, such as the innovative balauê. This work stands out for its ability to merge Afro-Brazilian and Latin American influences with the sophistication of European classical music, creating a musical language that still sounds revolutionary today. Although it received modest acclaim upon its release, the album is now recognised as a masterpiece of unparalleled originality, achieving 'cult object' status among collectors and enthusiasts of the most authorial and exploratory Brazilian music. It is a listen that invites immersion in aquatic soundscapes and complex rhythmic textures, revealing the artistic vision of a musician who was not concerned with following stylistic conventions, but rather with breaking new sonic ground.
Context
Fernando Falcão, a native of Paraíba, had a trajectory marked by his political engagement against the military dictatorship in Brazil. In 1969, following the promulgation of AI-5, he was forced into exile in Paris, where he remained for 12 years. During this period in France, Falcão deepened his musical and artistic research, collaborating with his father-in-law, the sculptor François-Xavier Lalanne, in the creation of unique percussion instruments, such as the balauê, a horizontal version of the berimbau. He also participated in the works of other artists, such as on Alceu Valença's LP Saudades de Pernambuco, also recorded in Paris in 1979. The release of Memória Das Águas in 1981 coincided with his return to Brazil after more than a decade of exile, marking a reunion with his homeland and the Brazilian public.
Recording
The album Memória Das Águas was recorded in 1979 at Studio Acousti, in Paris, reflecting Fernando Falcão's period of exile in the French capital. The release, however, only occurred in 1981, independently, by the Poitou label. The album's production and arrangements were conceived by Fernando Falcão, in collaboration with the conductor José Luis Castiñeira de Dios. The instrumentation is rich and varied, including the balauê, water orchestra, chameleon, bottles, and other percussions created by Falcão himself, in addition to voices, double bass, piano, saxophone, flute, cor anglais, strings, and brass. A curiosity is the inclusion of field recordings, such as on the track "Mercado (Gravado No Mercado Tanger)", which captures the sonic atmosphere of a bustling bazaar, highlighting the experimental and innovative nature of the work.
Songs
The eight tracks on Memória Das Águas are compositions by Fernando Falcão, who explores a vast range of textures and sonic narratives. The title track, "Memória Das Águas", begins with atmospheric and percussive sounds reminiscent of water, before unfolding into lush string arrangements, evoking a grandeur that recalls contemporary classical compositions. "Amanhecer Tabajara (À Alceu Valença)" infuses Afro-Brazilian and Latin American influences, while "Mercado (Gravado No Mercado Tanger)" transports the listener to a vivid setting with its field recordings. One of the album's highlights is "Curimão (Sons Onomatopaicos E Folk Da Guiné)", an accelerated samba piece with striking brass, vibrant percussion, and clapping, which incorporates onomatopoeic sounds and folkloric elements from Guinea, demonstrating the album's cultural fusion and rhythmic energy. The track "Revoada" offers a contrast, combining the classical nature of violins with percussion that mimics birdsong, before delving into Northeastern Brazilian sounds with flute and guitar, illustrating the album's musical diversity and poetic richness.
Legacy
Initially, Memória Das Águas did not achieve widespread prominence, remaining an obscure work for most of the public and critics. However, over the decades, the album has consolidated its status as an extremely valuable and sought-after collector's item, with original copies reaching high prices on the market. The recognition of its importance has grown exponentially, leading to reissues in 2019 by labels such as Optimo Music and Selva Discos, which allowed a new generation of listeners to discover its genius. The album is now considered one of the 100 best records in Brazilian music, featuring on various lists and being acclaimed as a masterpiece worthy of a prominent place in musical history. Its unique combination of styles and Fernando Falcão's revolutionary approach continue to inspire and fascinate, affirming its status as a landmark of Brazilian sonic experimentation.
Tracks
Credits
Fernando Falcão
José Luis Castiñeira De Dios
Andorinha, Dudu, Jakô, Lucas, Mary, Nancy
Valérie Kling
Tiche Ramos
Enrique Perico Arteche
M. Saint-Michel
Raymond Guiot
Alex Perdigon, Bardot, Eric Mula, Kako Bessot
Susana Lago
Steve Potts
B. Constantin, M. Derries, Marc Togonal, Michel Michalakakos, Philippe Nadal
P. Bandeirac
Jorge Pinchevsky
Gibe
Amado Maita, Ivan Negro Isola, Pedro D'Alessio
Percival Giddings
Fernando Lebolo
Analyses
Fernando Falcão - Memórias Das Águas (1981) | Toque Musical
toque-musicall.com
There are albums that go unnoticed, and we only realise they exist, sometimes even readily available, after we discover them. This is very much the case with this LP by the composer, poet, and percussionist Fernando Falcão, "Memórias das Águas", released in 1981 by the independent label Poitou.
Fernando Falcão - Memória Das Águas (1981)
obrasprimasmusicabrasileira.blogspot.com
References are more likely to be found on international music specialist websites. From him, a touching composition, 'Marinheira', co-written with Fausto Nilo, can be unearthed, closing Nara Leão's album ROMANCE POPULAR. His oeuvre is indeed lean.
Fernando Falcão - Memória das Águas (2019/1981)
jazz-jazz.com
Selva Discos returns to the LP reissue game with a bang: by giving new life to the stunning and very sought-after Memória das Águas album by Fernando Falcão.
Fernando Falcão - Memória Das Águas / Barracas Barrocas
ra.co
Recorded with the wisdom that comes with experience, the album feels refined compared with the radical Memória Das Águas. The European art pop tradition looms large. "Girandas" recalls Kevin Ayers, while the jazz-rock squalls of "Purundirindas" look back to Soft Machine.
Lp Fernando Falcão - Memória Das Águas - 1981 - 1ª Edição
onlinevinil.com.br
But it must be said, especially to those who are intimidated by the avant-garde, that Fernando Falcão's music is all that, without ever being boring; on the contrary.
