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LP
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DC 492LP
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"Carlos Paredes was one of the greatest Portuguese guitarists, and a symbol of the Portuguese culture -- not simply a great composer, but one of the men behind the world-wide understanding of his instrument and his country. Dating back hundreds of years, Portuguese guitar is most notably associated with the traditional Portuguese popular music known as fado. Paredes'compositions went beyond the traditional use of the instrument in fado musicianship, giving him (and the instrument) a status above folk or regional music. Carlos released his first EP at the age of 32, during which time the music of fado was being adopted by many young Portuguese songwriters to decry the oppressive Salazar regime. Shortly thereafter Carlos was detained by the fascist government for suspected subversive beliefs. While imprisoned in 1958, Paredes managed to stay sane and even created some of his most remarkable works. It is said that during this time the guards thought he had lost his mind, as he walked back and forth in his cell pretending to play an instrument, but in fact all he was doing was composing in his head. After receiving recognition for the 1963 soundtrack to the film Os Verdes Anos, Carlos worked on music for film and stage productions for the next several years. His full-length debut, Guitarra Portuguesa, was finally released in 1967, which would establish him as the master of the Portuguese guitar."
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LP
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DC 493LP
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"After the release of Guitarra Portuguesa, it took Carlos Paredes four more years to produce another album. Again regarded as a masterpiece, Movimento Perpetuo showed a more mature Carlos Paredes. If the tireless playing of his instrument wasn't enough, throughout the entire album one can hear Paredes breathe sharply as he forms his phrases. Paredes performed around the world following the release of these albums, but he always returned to Portugal. The long-standing dictatorship there was finally brought down in the Carnation Revolution of 1974 -- an event recalled by many Portuguese when they hear the music of Paredes, which played incessantly over the radio and television during news reportage."
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