Search - Cesaria Evora :: Anthologie: Mornas & Coladeras

Cape Verdes' Singing Sensation:The Barefoot Diva.

Robert Badgley | London,Ontario,Canada | 03/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first saw Cesaria Evora performing at the Montreal Jazz Festival in the very late 90s and I have been hooked ever since.Her on stage sets are usually made to look like she is in a cafe back home and singing to you, her imaginary fellow patrons.When her back up band takes various extended solos she will sit down,watch,maybe smoke and have a drink and become part of the "cafe patrons"(us).It is a neat little device which guarantees an increase in audience empathy and closeness.And it works fabulously.

Cesaria,Ciza to her friends,was born in August of 1941 on Sao Vicente island,in the town of Mindelo.From the age of 16 years she began to become noticed locally as a singer working in Churches,carnivals and in cafes.She became very popular throughout the islands but could never garner enough outside interest.It was always an uphill battle for her and she struggled terribly both emotionally and financially.In 1975 the islands gained their independance(from Portugal) but not without tremendous turmoil.She gave up singing for 10 years to help her family but she spiralled into a deep depression and alcoholism.Finally in 1988 she was given an opportinity to go to Paris to record an album(at 47!) and she has never looked back as her career continues upward.

Cesaria is not a stunning beauty and she does not command a booming voice that reaches out to grab you.Instead I can only liken her singing to a floating leaf on a gentle wave of rythym.It just sits on top,always where it should be and going wherever the music takes it.

The set contains two CDs which dip into her musical catalogue spanning from 1988("La Diva Aux Pieds Nus")until 2001("Sao Vincente Di Longe").The first one contains "mornas",something like a Cape Verdean style of blues.The second one contains "coladeras" which are more up tempo and cheerful numbers.This CD is NOT a greatest hits compilation than a wonderful glimpse at the two styles of music which this Cape Verdean wonder excels at.For example the version in this set of her famous hit "Sodade"(/92)is the remake done w/ singer Bonga 10 years later.And real hits like "Besame Mucho","Papa Joachim Paris" or "Miss Perfumado" are not to be seen.For those looking for a greatest hits collection you should look no further than the "Best of Cesaria Evora" CD.If you have not bought her albums indiviually that greatest hits album and this two CD set make wonderful companions.

In conclusion I highly recommend this wonderful two CD set of the Cape Verde chanteuses' music which highlights the very essence and spirit of what this singer is all about.A definite must have."

Essential compilation

Pieter | Johannesburg | 10/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This compilation of the Cape Verdean legend contains her best work of the years 1988 to 2001. She performs two distinctive styles of song. The Morna is a type of lament derived from the Portuguese Fado, often based on the longing of emigrants for their homeland. The Coladera is a rhythmic, dance-oriented style that is more uptempo than the morna. By the way, Amalia Rodriguez is great Fado singer whose work is well worth investigating.



With her deeply soulful voice Cesaria is a mistress of both Cabo Verdean styles as demonstrated on unforgettable songs like Esperanca Irisada, Amor Di Mundo, Sodade, Vida Tem Um So Vida, Mar Azul and Crepuscular Solidao. This album contains songs in both Portuguese and the Cabo Verde Creole and is a joy to listen to. Evora is one of those World Music greats that manages to stay true to her roots whilst appealing to a wider audience.

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