Search - Madredeus :: Faluas Do Tejo: Lisboa 2005

For most people, fado is a diva-driven acoustic folk style based on dramatic Portuguese love poems. Madredeus, however, creates a more subdued but equally beautiful version of the music. The award-winning band does have a woman singer, but Teresa Salgueiro isn't prone to the histrionics of some fadistas. Instead, she leans toward a subtle conversational style with a bit of classical music composure. The band follows Salgueiro's lead (or vice versa) by eschewing the typically fiery guitar accompaniment in favor of moody ambiance. Moreover, the band writes much of its own material here instead of adapting love poems. With 11 albums released domestically and over 20 years together, Madredeus has worked out all the kinks; nonetheless, it adds a few wrinkles of its own--"No Meu Jardim (Sementes a Terra)" has a lilting reggae groove, and "O Canto de Saudade" dances to a samba rhythm. Those looking for something more conventionally fado will have no bones to pick with "Fado das Duvidas." ­ --Tad Hendrickson