Discography

• Quiero ser ave y poder volar / Carta para un amigo - (1970)  single
• Soñé / Libro de un viernes - (1970)  single
• Ohperra vida de Beto - (1972)

 

 

Members in the album

• Ohperra vida de Beto - (1972)

 

JULIO PRESAS - Guitar and vocals

OMAR CONSTANZO - Bass and vocals

EDUARDO RAPETTI - Guitar and vocals

CARLOS RIGANTI - Drums

 

Guest musicians:

LITTO NEBBIA - Piano

BERNARDO BARAJ - Sax

 

 

Biography

After getting a Second Position Award at the Festival Beat the Mar del Plata (which Arco Iris won), Materia Gris released a single with the nice ballads "Quiero ser ave y poder volar" b/w "Carta para un amigo". It was not until 1972 that they released their only LP: Ohperra vida de Beto (a game of words between "Opera" and "oh, perra!" -how bitchen!- "life of Beto"). This sort of rock opera dealt with the life of a guy, Beto, from his birth to his adulthood in the style of S.F. Sorrow by The Pretty Things. It was a very good effort, with a Progressive Melodic Soft-Psycho sound and great guitar work. Omar Constanzo wrote the lyrics and Julio Presas composed the music. Side A -called Sweet Opera- was more calm, and side B -Bitter Opera- more intense, although the whole disc was rich in styles. Litto Nebbia (ex-Los Gatos and Huinca) played piano as guest, along with allegedly Bernardo Baraj (Alma y Vida) on saxophones and a not credited orchestra. The record was a failure and after some live shows (presenting another conceptual work) the group split. Carlos Riganti later joined Alas, Omar Constanzo went to Naranja Mecánica, and Julio Presas later formed La Ley (in the 80s). The LP is recommended, though extremely rare. It was not reissued on vinyl (beware of counterfeits).

 

 

Information

* The Magic Land book