editions dDV Label

Lantana Lovers

This original instrumental album revolves around Choro, which is a style
of instrumental music from Rio meaning "cry" in Portuguese...

Doug's 2004 venture, the all instrumental recording Lantana Lovers featured Joe Chindamo and Slava Grigoryan. This is a comprehensive document of original music plus rare gems of the choro genre that opens new vistas on Australian contemporary and world music.

REVIEW

De Vries is one of this country's most accomplished guitarists. His metier is the music of Brazil, in particular Choro, a precursor of the Samba.

Using seven-string guitars and a steel stringed ukulele instrument called the cavaquinho, de Vries treats us to a handsome set of original pieces along with
the occasional cover of Hermeto Pascoal, Jobim and
Villa-Lobos.

Whether a spirited carnival piece like Novo Frevo Novo
or the elegant Elegy For Rita, de Vries' playing always
offers musicality and emotion ahead of technique —
not that he's lacking in that department at all. He is helped extensively by other musicians, such as jazz pianist Joe Chindamo, whose accordion playing in parallel with the guitar is a delight in Novo Frevo Novo. The sound quality
is very fine and in all this album is an exploration of part
of the musica brasileira with originality, vitality and finesse in equal measure.

Shane Nichols
Financial Review
25th June 2004