Customer Reviews

Fado: Exquisite Passion

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I fell in love with Fado the first time I heard Mariza sing on a collection of folk music. This album "Exquisite Passion" is really wonderful.

It features new Fadistas like Cristina Branco and Mariza and the greatest Fadista of all time, Amalia Rodrigues. The only problem is that the opening cuts are all fantastic, but when you get to the fourth track by Rodrigues, it is SO good, that it throws the newcomers in a bit of a shadow. I realize the dilemma they had when compiling this cd: use a mediocre track of Rodrigues and have people say "Why does she have such a reputation?" or go with this one, which will wring tears from your eyes even if you don't know a word of Portuguese.

Be that as it may, all the fadistas on this album are marvelous singers, the guitar backup is beautiful and if you never heard fado before, then by all means give this a try.

Unfortunately I have to disagree with the previous reviewer - Com Que Voz did not seem to me the best song of the disk; I don't question the greatness of Amalia, but the songs chosen for this compilation are not her best (I may be biased, but frankly speaking Amalia's manner does not appeal to me - it is too belligerent). Nor does she throw the newcomers in any kind of shadow. The jazzy Mafalda Arnauth, the temperamental Mariza and the sweet Cristina Branco are all admirable and by no means shadowed by Amalia.

My favourite is Mafalda Arnauth, with her velvety mezzo-soprano gently flowing from the lower notes to the higher ones; her voice never becomes sharp, unlike the voices of the other three Fadistas here. She's the most lyrical of the four. Mafalda's fados are a bit on the jazzy side, and "Talvez Se Chame Saudade" became almost a bossa nova.

Mariza, a Mozambique-born young fadista, somewhat reminds me of Brazilian singer Elis Regina. Mariza has a fantastic timbre of voice. Now defiant, now seductive and whispery, now ironic, she is certainly a person of immense charm, I think I'd like to see her live performance someday.

Cristina Branco's songs, especially Ai Vida and Meu Amor Meu Amor, are deeply heartfelt and very sensual (however, songs like Meu Amor E Marinheiro are not my cup of tea at all). To those who like Cristina I would recommend her album Sensus ( this disk is really something... ahhh!! I hope to review it later, and the only thing I'll say now is that it embraces much more styles than Fado...)

The only thing that keeps me from giving 5 stars to this disk is the fact that I'm not a great fado lover... but fado, like any musical style, can have different faces, and speaking for myself I prefer the more romantic ones.

I am enjoying this CD tremendously as it takes me back to my childhood when my father used to contract fado singers to special functions at his restaurant/club in Portugal. Fado is art as not every singer can sing it. It takes a special voice and you must feel passion for what or whom you are singing about to be able to project it to the audience, so they can feel it too. If you have been to the Portugal, especially continental Portugal where Fado originated, and got to know the portuguese people, you will understand the Fado a little better.

This is a very good CD with different Fado singing styles. It is more enjoyable when listened to in the quite of the evening.

I really tried to get into this disc but after several listens I gave up. Is it bad? No. Is it good? Yes, in a sad movie kind of way. Is it imperitive to understand Portuguese to get the full meaning of the music? Yes, without question. I listen to many different types of music from around the world, many times without knowledge or a solid foundation in the language and some music just translates across language barriers. Unfortunately, for me, not you necessarily, it doesn't move me. Mind you, the genre from Portugal known as Fado is defined with the term saudade, which roughly translates as genuine or authentic and intense yearnings, yet nothing or such feelings resulted in my listening to this disc. As a pure novice the experience did not connect with the exception of a few songs and artists. The major proponent, whom I had heard before and was my introduction to Fado, Amalia Rodriguez was quite excellent and heartfelt. Likewise I enjoyed Mafalda Aranauth as they both transmit their emotions quite well. The problem is that the sad nature of music is hard to take unless you are well versed in the Fado tradition. Some of songs reminded me of Lila Downs where on certain tunes she digs really deep for an emotional catharsis. One last note or observation on this disc. I will go as far as to say that men will probably not care for it very much, unless you are a Fadista. If you notice, as of this writting all the reviews are by women except for this one. I am also the only one to give less than a glowing review. Regardless of gender, try it at your own risk, it does require some background into the music as the music doesn't connect easily. It is better than average for a 3.5 rating. Recommended for women with broken hearts on the mend.

Fado is not a song of despair, pessimism and solitude. Fado is a song of hope, of personal challenges and nostalgia, or as we say...Saudades. Unfortunately, we can't translate this word in English to capture all the meaning of it, so I would advise you to listen to the best voices of the Old and New Fado.

Here, the songs are exquisite and passionate, as advertised. The CD itself, however, is not very adventurous.

First, there are just 4 fadistas featured in the 13 selections. Among those left out, in no particular order, just among modern singers: Dulce Pontes, Joana Amendoeira, Margarida Guerreiro, Anabela, Ana Sofia Varela, Ana Lains, Misia, Katia Guerreiro, etc. The list of intriguing, admirable artists from Portugal goes on and on.

Second -- this is strictly a personal opinion -- often the songs do not represent the best that these singers have to offer.

You won't go very wrong with "Exquisite Passion," but if you're at all familiar with fado, you've probably heard most of the songs on this collection. If you're a newcomer, I think I'd shop around a while before choosing this CD to start out with.

Love the music, but feel you need to know the lyrics to 'feel' the music. I bought this after watching a TV documentary which had sub titles, and was so much better.