Miss Perfumado

Cesaria Evora

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 16, 1998)
• Original Release Date: June 16, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000006R55
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #197,238 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > Africa > Cape Verde

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com's Best of 1998
Cesaria Evora asked heartache to come in and set a spell. The morna, the slow, rhythmically balladic blend of African blues and the Portuguese fado, was the perfect medium. Released in 1998 in the United States, this 1992 album about nostalgia, longing, hit-and-run lovers, and the sea features titles like "Barbincour" ("The Conman") and "Torura" ("Torture"). Not the least of Evora's magical appeal is that her smooth, honey-rich vocals suggest a universe of passion and pain with nary a spasm of self-pity to break the spell. --Elena Oumano

Amazon.com essential recording
Like Billie Holiday, the Cape Verdean queen of morna--a slow, rhythmically balladic blend of African blues and the Portuguese fado--asked heartache to come in and set a spell. In fact, trouble and Cesaria Evora are longtime soulmates. This 1992 album (released in the U.S. in 1998) about nostalgia, longing, hit-and-run lovers, and the sea features titles like "Barbincour" ("The Conman") and "Torura" ("Torture"). It went gold in France, transforming the plump grandma diva of her West African island's beachside canteens into a world-music icon. Not the least of Evora's magical appeal is that those smooth, honey-rich vocals suggest a universe of passion and pain, with nary a spasm of self-pity to break the spell. --Elena Oumano

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sublime introduction to world music, December 25, 1998

By A Customer

Cesaria is a diva that is without doubt. Miss Perfumado is a wonderful blend of everything that you would imagine Cape Verde to be; African and Portugese, hot and beautiful. When you listen to this album, close your eyes and you can almost smell the sea, feel the sand on your feet and the sun on your back. Equally you will feel that you share the anxieties, pleasures and pain that Diva Evora sings about. The rhythms in the track Angola are delicious. Do not be surprised if you find that you cannot stop your toe tapping and if your body just gets up to dance just enjoy. Listening to Miss Perfumado will make you want to go to Cape Verde (or find out where the hell it is if you don't know already). Do you get the impression that I like this cd? I love it and always will!

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting, seductive, timeless, September 11, 1999

By A Customer

I first heard this CD as I was sampling artists on Amazon.com. Thank you! I have not been so enthralled with an artist in the last 25 years! Her music is haunting, seductive, it slips into your soul and is unforgettable. A few rare artists have the ability to instantly take you into a different place with the spirit they convey through their voices; Cesaria Evora is one of these. I am going to see her in concert in four days and can't wait to see what happens in her live performances! Each song is a jewel, her voice flashing brightly against the dark background of morna. I encourage others to listen and enjoy.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! INCREDIBLE, July 5, 2000

By	mark pestonji (woodland hills, ca USA) - See all my reviews

A voice has never moved me as much as cesaria has. Her voice is so seductive and passionate that it takes your mind to another place. Her other albums are great, but this is the best. a definite must hear and must have for any collection