Customer Reviews

Ulisses

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I am speechless! (I don't know Portugese)

This is the first album I have heard from this musician, and I am already a major fan!

After listening to it a few times you will probably want to learn Portugese!

For me this is the best cd of Cristina Branco for many reasons, is not only fado, She sings like an angel in this cd, I like to hear Cristina cantar in spanish Alfonsina y el mar.

Sete pedaços de vento è the best song of fado I ever listen in my life

Nothing can beat this CD for relaxing. The music is intense but relaxing. This is the best Branco has produced so far.

You don't have to understand portuguese to get what people were screaming about at cristina's concert in oslo last year.

Who would've thought joni mitchell's 'case of you' could be sung as fado!

As the don said "I'm a good listener" and "YES! YES! YES!" to cristina.

This CD wouldn't leave my CD changer if i had one.

This is a good easy-listening CD (see Carol King, Diane Krall, et al.), but it's not Fado, a word which has many meanings, but is unarguably soul-full, not soulful.