Sam Alone & The Gravediggers - Thougher Than Leather

A versão em Português deste trabalho foi escrita em exclusivo para a revista Ultraje. Podem lê-lo na íntegra aqui.

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Music, as other art forms, many times goes beyond simple melody and becomes a way to spread the artist’s message. When that message focus in society and human condition it get the epithet of “intervention music”. One of the contemporary artists that uses this style goes by the name of Apolinário Correia, a.k.a. Sam Alone, who is accompanied by his Gravediggers.

With a musical ground based in a folk/rock tune, Sam gives life to his characters and phobias, disbeliefs and convictions, losses and conquests. More than a singer/songwriter, Sam is a storyteller; and for them to succeed at the hearings of the listeners his compositions present a perfect balance between voice and instrument. His arrangements are created so they can support and give substance to the voice, to enhance it. In this third album it’s clear the evolution of his musical path; when I listen to this work names like Bruce Springsteen or Roy Orbison come to my mind but without sounding outdated, showing that Sam knew out to “dress” sounds that marked a generation with contemporary “garments”.

“Tougher Than Leather” is a cohesive album, melodically appealing and catchy enough to succeed in a tough world. Without being a world reference in the gender it’s undoubtedly an achievement in national music (how many haven’t already heard it without knowing it’s Portuguese…), proving that in this small rectangle international caliber musicians can be found.

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