José Afonso – Eu Vou Ser Como a Toupeira

Released in 1972, “Eu Vou Ser Como a Toupeira” was recorded in Madrid with José Niza at the helm and includes contributions from Portuguese and Galician musicians.

The album takes a more spontaneous and collective approach, moving away from the careful crafting of the previous record in favor of raw authenticity and emotional immediacy. Its opening track, “A Morte Saiu à Rua”, stands out as a poignant tribute to anti‑fascist painter Dias Coelho, a powerful highlight in José Afonso’s oeuvre. Other tracks such as “No Comboio Descendente”, based on a Fernando Pessoa poem, “Por Trás Daquela Janela”, written for a detained comrade, and the title track itself, employ metaphors to evoke resistance, the promise of change, and quiet struggle. It’s a political album without sermoning, blending traditional musical sensibilities with the restless heartbeat of its era in a straightforward, visceral, and deeply meaningful way.