Ulisses [Import]

Cristina Branco | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 14, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Universal
• ASIN: B0002CHGSA
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,850 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #40 in Music > World Music > Europe > Continental Europe > Portugal

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

One of the great fado singers working today, Cristina Branco returns with Ulisses, a lush-sounding album that now more than ever separates her from fado convention. Rather than the typical guitar trio backing, Branco adds piano throughout to a guitar quartet that is, as always, led by Portuguese guitar player Custodio Castelo. Between Castelo's pyrotechnics and the piano adding a richer harmonic element, the elegant music sounds more appropriate for classical music recital halls than the fado clubs. Branco's voice smolders with nuance throughout, soaring but never overpowering the backing. A reference to the title, the material here sometimes comes from poems and tunes far beyond her homeland--Branco even offers English speakers a not-at-all-stiff version of Joni Mitchell's "A Case Of You." The electronic-oriented "Fundos" ends the album on an odd note but serves as an emphatic reminder that Cristina Branco is not content to sail exclusively in traditional Portuguese waters. ­-- Tad Hendrickson

Product Description

The latest album by the Portuguese singer, Cristina Branco, star of last year's Melbourne Festival. Ulisses well deserves its name: Ulisses evokes voyages, adventure, wandering, love, leaving, returning . 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh and Original, April 23, 2005

By 

D.A.W. (West Tisbury) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ulisses (Audio CD)

Every one of Cristina Branco's previous five albums has been the kind of work that is so overwhelmingly rich it can only be taken in over repeated listenings: nuances, subtle humor, shades of meaning, risks taken but amply rewarded. In choice of material, composition, arrangement, preparation, performance and recording quality, she manages to continually astound. How can such a young singer simultaneously possess such an amazing crystalline voice and such sure artistic judgment?

For exactly this reason, I was leery about Ulisses. A longtime Joni Mitchell fan, I was sincerely afraid that witnessing Cristina Branco attempt A Case of You would be a head-on collision, and that the victim would be me. I need not have worried. Branco takes the song in such a different direction - unabashedly melancholy, jazzy and moody in a way that only a Portuguese sensibility could get away with - that it reveals startlingly fresh possibilities in Joni's longtime classic. Give it a chance: it's a whole new song.

There's another, hidden Joni Mitchell tribute in this album. It comes in Track 10, where Branco shows her obvious admiration by performing Cristal in a way Joni herself might have if she'd been reincarnated in Lisbon immediately after recording Song to a Seagull. Branco pulls it off with beauty and understatement, and with such control that it's obviously meant more as homage than unconscious imitation.

But this album is about much more, and after countless playings I feel I've only touched the surface. Throughout Ulisses, Cristina Branco is trying on other voices, other languages than her native Portuguese. The first track, for instance, is sung a capella with a sly but appropriate Brazilian (specifically Carioca) accent. The second track is in Spanish, Track 5 is in English, Track 9 in French. It sounds like a chaotic fruit salad, but it holds together seamlessly thanks to Branco's abiding love for her material.

I should note that Cristina Branco's roots are in the Portuguese fado, a tradition that is better reflected in her earlier albums than in Ulisses. She has mastered that slightly Baroque trill the fado has adopted for its own. However, it's evident that she possesses a gift whose sophistication reaches beyond the narrow boundaries of one form. it makes me happy to see her stepping more boldly onto the world stage to take her share of the broader audience she deserves.

This album is worth all five stars. The arrangements are tasteful and minimal. The instrumentation is all-acoustic as always, and the studio work is completely transparent. However, if you are looking for a first taste of Cristina Branco, I would recommend starting with Corpo Iluminado or Murmurios, in which she earned the credentials to put forth Ulisses.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A special disc, pure enjoyment, September 24, 2006

By 

circa1850 (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ulisses (Audio CD)

Having a couple of other recordings by this fabulous fado artist compelled me to get this copy of ULISSES. By far, the most enjoyable and well done disc thus far (at least in my collection) of Cristina Branco.

This disc, above all others, clearly displays that she is a world class vocalist in any genre and language. Selections in her native tongue along with an unexpected Joni Mitchell as well as French lyrics puts this artist in the spotlight and center stage. The musical arrangements and recording quality adds to the enjoyment of this disc.

This is a must have for any Fado enthusiast and Cristina Branco fan.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful example of excellent world music, September 9, 2006

By 

Virgolino Luis (TURQUEL, Portugal) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ulisses (Audio CD)

Cristina Branco is one my favourite singers in Portugal. Her beautiful sweet voice soothes my soul. Unfortunately she's not very well known in her own country. I know what I'm saying cause I'm portuguese and live in Portugal.

This new CD "Ulisses" is awesome, her best to date in my opinion. Comparing to previous Cristina's CDs this one is really a voyage (as the title suggests) including a wider range of musical styles, obviously influenced by other cultures, but always capturing the emotion and vision within a genuine fado singer. Obviously this CD is not for purists, and I'm glad I'not a purist. I'm particularly fond of the tune "Alfonsina y el mar" (sung in perfect castellano) which I know in other versions but none of them as good as this one. "Porque me olhas assim" a great Fausto tune, is another one of my favourites, with exquisite arrangement including the beautiful piano (Ricardo Dias) and portuguese guitar (Custodio Castelo). I presume the arrangements have been written by all musicians as that is not mentioned in the booklet (which is a pity and the only negative remark I make).

Cristina Branco is definitely a great world singer, included in a new generation of portuguese singers getting to be known abroad such as Dulce Pontes, Sara Tavares, Mariza, Ana Moura, Misia, Teresa Salgueiro (Madredeus) etc. I'm proud of them all, but Cristina is my first choice.