Search - Cesaria Evora :: Distino Di Belita

Cesaria Evora
Distino Di Belita
Genre: International Music

Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
1. Bitina - C?saria ?vora, de Novas, Manuel
2. Nova Sintra - C?saria ?vora, Mendes, Ramiro
3. Emigranti - C?saria ?vora, Leza, B.
4. Tanha - C?saria ?vora, Leza, B.
5. Salamansa - C?saria ?vora, Cabral, Amandio
6. Odji Maguado - C?saria ?vora, Leza, B.
7. T'Imbutchode - C?saria ?vora, Junior, Farias
8. Distino Di Bilita - C?saria ?vora, Mendes, Ramiro
9. Nova Sintra [Piano Bar Version] - C?saria ?vora, Leza, B.
10. Pontero - C?saria ?vora, Carvalho, Dany

CD Details

All Artists: Cesaria Evora
Title: Distino Di Belita
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Musicrama/Koch
Release Date: 12/8/1995
Album Type: Import
Genre: International Music
Style: Africa
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 738476890725

Synopsis

Amazon.com

As the grande dame of world music, Cape Verde's Cesaria Evora is a singer beyond compare. Her deep voice and gentle phrasing are as friendly as a favorite aunt. Nonetheless, Evora has a sad bit of romantic melancholy to her that is always part of the morna style, which has its roots in West African drumming and Portuguese fado. It makes her, like the music, timeless. Even though Distino Di Belita was recorded in 1974, it holds up well next to recent efforts like Miss Perfumado, São Vicente, and Mar Azul. There are, however, some concessions. The production is typical for African albums of the era, which means there is some unwarranted glossiness that does nothing for tracks like "T'imbutchode," "Pontero," and the title track. For the most part, though, Distino Di Belita holds up well thanks to Evora herself and gems like "Nova Sintra." Released for the first time in the United States, this is a must for fans. --Tad Hendrickson

CD Reviews

Earlier, But Not Better Cesaria

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 01/28/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Like many, I first found out about Cesaria Evora a few years back through her brilliant series of recordings for Windham Hill/BMG, which led to a worldwide "rediscovery" of this world music diva. Much like the various cast of characters from the Buena Vista Social Club, Evora's numerous albums of the late 1990s captured old music in a new way with contemporary sound -- a very successful combination that appealed to critics and general music fans alike. Of course being someone who enjoys more "authentic" performances, I decided to go back in search of Cesaria's earlier efforts figuring they would be even better than the current releases. Well, I was very wrong. Surprisingly, this 1974 session is more of a desperate attempt at crossover success (for the time) than her recent major-label discs. While many will certainly enjoy "Distino Di Belita," I found the arrangements to be very dated -- stuck in a quagmire of syrupy 70s strings -- and her vocal stylings lacking the distinction they have today thirty years later. While it is taboo in some music circles for artists to "mature," it has clearly helped Ms. Evora. If you are new to this wonderful artist, don't begin at the beginning -- instead try "Mar Azul" or "Miss Perfumado.""