Sensus [Extra tracks, Import]

Cristina Branco | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 27, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00008HCKE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #204,477 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #53 in Music > World Music > Europe > Continental Europe > Portugal

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Branco is one of the younger divas of Portuguese fado, a mournfully sexy tradition born among Lisbon's low-class waterfront dives. Like the blues, Greek rebetika, Brazilian samba and Argentine tango, it was once considered marginal at best. But international interest grew and the style was gradually rehabilitated, losing its outsider status but none of its delirium-inducing beauty. Like the late Amalia Rodrigues, Branco is gifted with an alto of crystalline purity. Her voice has pliable, wood-dove like overtones; she is the essence of wrong-headed passion and wounded vulnerability. For this outing, Branco and her guitarist/music director/husband, Custódio Castelo, have assembled a mixed program, wherein classic fados exist side-by-side with a tune by the brilliant Brazilian songwriter, Chico Buarque. Castelo has also composed music to lyrics by bossa nova legend Vinicius de Moraes, Luiz Vaz de Camoens, a medieval Portuguese poet and even a luscious translation of William Shakespeare's Sonnet 136. --Christina Roden

Product Description

BRANCO CRISTINA SENSUS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A valentine for grown-ups, July 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Sensus (Audio CD)

Cristina Branco was already my favorite of the new wave of Portuguese singers taking up the Amalia Rodrigues torch and this CD is in many ways her best. As in her previous CDs the instrumentation is limited to guitars and a here, a piano. There is a broader range of styles of songs including a sultry Chico Buarque number among others. What I find most gratifying is the lyrics that are the bases for the songs: erotic, poetic, smart. I don't know of anyone doing material like this in English and that's a pity--Booty call and ho's got old a long time ago. If you don't understand Portuguese this CD is worth the bucks for the music; if you can follow the language, treat yourself to a sensual valentine with this one.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a typical fadista, May 20, 2005

By 

Grace (Danville, PA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sensus (Audio CD)

This album is different than other fados; I hesitate to call it fado at all. While the music definitely has its roots in fado, it is much more smooth and elegant than fado tends to be. It is a beautiful album, but don't expect the wild, expressive passion which generally characterizes this style. Her voice sounds classically trained, and the lyrics are extremely sensual. The background guitars and piano almost create a counterpoint melody and reaffirm the smooth, elegant feel. There is not much variation in the album; everything is sensual, graceful, and very low-key. Her voice is lovely, but not much more.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Carressingly Beautiful, November 9, 2005

By 

Charlie Brown "djholman2002" (Mars, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sensus (Audio CD)

Cristina Branco departs somewhat from her more traditional Fado-based repertoire and style on this gorgeous CD. The instrumentation of Portugese and Spanish guitars (viola and guitarra) has not changed; yet an intiguing harpsichord-like effect is achieved at times. One track features piano but Cristina has used that before. Her passionate interpretation and beautiful singing are everything her fans have come to expect, and more. If ever a woman made love with her voice, Cristina does so here. Although I do not understand Portugese, I love the sound of the language, and it's hard not to with such a songstress. The harmonic progressions and song structures are not typical Fado, but bear some resemblances to general European popular music instead. Purists may be dismayed. However, if you are an adventurous listener who seeks sensuous and moving world music, you will not be disappointed by "Sensus."