Voz D'Amor

Cesaria Evora | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 2011)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Lusafrica
• ASIN: B0000APHOT
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,761 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #3 in Music > World Music > Africa > Cape Verde
  • #4 in Music > World Music > South & Central America > General AAS
  • #4 in Music > World Music > South & Central America > General

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Cape Verde is famous for its Afro-Portuguese-inlfluenced music genres: the haunting guitar-based morna and the percussive Cuba- and Brazil-influenced coladeras. Ever since her "discovery" in 1998, vocalist Cesaria Evora, the so-called "Barefoot Diva," has been her country's greatest musical ambassor. This recording features Evora interpreting old and new Cape Verdean and Brazilian songs. Under the expert leadership of her musical director, pianist Fernado Andrade, Evora's rich contralto is beautifully supported by guitars, the ukelele-like cavaquinho, mandolin, strings, clarinet, and percussion. Like Billie Holiday, Evora can inject a lyric with pathos and passion. That rare gift is heard on the mid-tempo "Isoloada" ("Isolated"), an aching song about a beautiful, imprisoned mulatto girl, written by Evora's poet uncle, B. Leza, and the equally heart-wrenching "Amdjer De Nos Terra" ("Woman of Our Land"), which tells of the suffering of Cape Verdean women. The upbeat tracks include the sax-laced, vocal choired, "Pomba" ("The Dove")and Luis Morais's "Velocidade" ("Velocity"). "Jardim Prometido" ("Promised Garden") is a nice take on the American standard "Greenfields" by another Cape Verdean composer, Teofilo Chantre. The title track features Evora in pan-African fellowship with musicians from Cuba, Brazil, and Madagascar, showing that the music of her homeland has something for everyone. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Product Description

Voz D' Amor by Cesaria Evora

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous!, October 17, 2003

By 

Rosomax (Boulder, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Voz D'Amor (Audio CD)

I picked this CD up at a local bookstore while actually browsing the classical section. The moment I heard this voice, I was mesmerized! Subtle and passionate, extremely well projected, this voice goes straight to the listener's heart. In classical terms, such a voice can safely be called a contralto, a rare breed, but it's not artificially dark and the singer does not push it at all; she is making the voice gently float and "wrap" the audience.
The program encompasses some Brazilian songs along with many songs from Evora's native Cape Verde. The latter is a lovely fusion of Cuban, African, and Portuguese influences along with something extremely moving and unique that this listener can't quite explain, but one will immediately identify it once familiar with it. The selections nicely move from mournful to joyous, thereby eliminating any "sameness" that's so common with "native music" recordings. They also showcase Evora's marvelous talent to convey a wide range of feelings with a few simple musical gestures. Interestingly, the fact that the recording was made in Paris somehow contributed as well -- the music does carry a vague "chansonette" feel. The supporting musicians are brilliant, they're all literally on the same page with Evora with every expression.
The booklet includes the lyrics and you'll be pleasantly surprised by the poetry. It's all of the highest caliber. B. Leza's wonderful verse has to gain wider exposure.
Do not delay getting this album, for it will bring you over an hour of pure unadulterated musical bliss.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Goodness Cesaria..., August 5, 2004

By 

W. Abraham "opreto" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Voz D'Amor (Audio CD)

Oh how I love Cesaria! As always when I visit Barnes & Nobles I go to the International music section. As my eyes scanned the wide selection of world music, Cesaria's face stood out. This woman reminds of Celia Cruz -love her too, may her soul rest in peace -I said to myself and I bet she's a wonderful singer. All I needed to hear was the song "Sodade" and that was it. I fell in love with Cesaria's music. Like Celia Cruz she has the voice that captures your attention and sends chills down your spine - so electrifying it's beautiful! I currently one three of Cesaria's albums - THe Very Best of, Cabo Verde, and Voz D'Amor! THe next albums I want to get are Sao Vincente di Longe and Cesaria!
For the past few months I've been listening to Cesaria's music more than anyone elses! I can relate so much to the lyrics of her music and the style being that I'm from the Caribbean. I feel as if I've also lived the Capeverdian experience! I would like to visit someday! Viva Cesaria a reina da morna!

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Voz d'Amor, a deep and hanging album, January 7, 2004

By 

Ralph LOHIER - See all my reviews

This review is from: Voz D'Amor (Audio CD)

Always equalizes with herself, Cesaria Evora did not lose anything of her voice. This new album proves how much her repertory is single. A team of musicians except par. Lyrics and compositions quite elaborate. The ambassadress of the music of Cape Verde does not have the gift to weary. But well rather to attract more people in search of "ever heard". Of the 14 titles of this disc, one cannot have preference. Let you go and you will not stop listening to the disc. So much it is deep and hanging.