"AMIGOS EM PORTUGAL" - THE DURUTTI COLUMN RECORD REVISITED BY FRIENDS IN PORTUGAL, 30 YEARS LATER.

Dates are references in time but and we always like to use them. Since a couple of months ago I’ve been gathering testimonies from people that worked on “Amigos em Portugal” a Durutti Column album that was recorded here in Portugal and released by the now extinct Fundação Atlântico, a local label. Almost 30 years ago this project was thought and the songs written and recorded. I believe it’s the perfect time to dig a little deeper and discover more stories on this work of art. On the blog players you can listen to some tunes from that record among others. In the next weeks I’ll post more stories with José Valverde(sound), Tristana Esteves Cardoso (song named Sara & Tristana) and Vítor Rua (musician opinion and more stories) and more…

KING_LEER(KL):

Vin and Bruce,

“Amigos em Portugal” was recorded in 1983 so, probably it makes 30 years from now when the music and the project for a record to be recorded in Portugal were thought. Can you remember us how this adventure started?

DURUTTI COLUMN(DC):

We were part of a festival show in the north of Portugal, Our posse was A Certain Ratio,The Tom Robinson Band , The Durutti Column and Tony Wilson. In the early 80’s Tony had a Portuguese  friend called  Miguel who had started a record label called Fundação Atlântico. Miguel I think organized a recording studio in Estoril and Vini and Francesca Wraith went over and recoded very quick (The Vini Reilly style !!). I couldn't make it because my wife Jaqueline had been  taken seriously ill.

KL:

I have in front of me the 1998 digitally remastered Another Setting record. In the inlay card there’s a Tony Wilson note about the record and it’s a bit harsh on the record company. What went wrong at the time?

DC:

When we did the re-release in 1998, Tony had a disagreement over royalties with Miguel and Tony enjoyed writing up his complaints with the record company on the sleeve notes.

KL:

Musically speaking what is the main difference from Durutti Column in 1983 and now in 2012 - besides the age of course.

DC:

Musically, Durutti Column follows the same line as ever. Vini gets inspired with ideas and we go to the studio, usually with Keir Stewart of "Inch" studio  and we try to get it down as good as possible.

KL:

Any of the “Amigos em Portugal” songs was composed in Portugal?

DC:

We were inspired by Portugal and the Portuguese fans, and most of the music came from this.

KL:

In the 90’s Durutti Column edited a song called Fado. Fado has been recently declared by UNESCO an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

DC:

"Fado" was one of my favourites. Vin only played it a couple of times on stage, but it did feature in the film "Cities in the Park" recorded at Heaton Park Manchester in 1991 and Still available!

KL:

Last question. Vin and Bruce – I’ve been at several Durutti Column gigs since 1991.I never saw a string section live with you. Ever thought of playing your music with a grand orchestra? And if, 30 years later an invitation like that would came from Portugal would you consider it and embrace that challenge?

DC:

We did use strings and horns on the album "Without Mercy" in the mid eighties and we did film this in Tokyo for the "Domo Arigato" album and it is an ambition to re-record some Durutti songs with a small orchestra soon or maybe a GRAND orchestra! Thanks for the encouragement,Best wishes and good luck.

THE END