Search - Maria Ana Bobone :: Senhora De Lapa

Astounding

Sheepy Birtwistle | Blandings | 03/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bobone's way of conveying "saudade" (or "the pleasure of being sad" -- Camoes) is, like Cristina Branco's, extremely elegant. There's not a lot of pain or world-weariness here, but there is definitely longing. Given the location of the recording (a church) and several lyrics (including the title track), that longing often sounds chaste, almost religious.



Bobone's voice is small but wonderfully pure and accurate, and her sense of line is strong. This is all the more remarkable considering the piano accompaniment, which is harmonically ultra-modern. "Senhora da Lapa" for example moves through multiple tonalities with complete surprise -- and Bobone negotiates it all wonderfully well. Despite its modernism, the music is also profoundly traditional in spirit. It also never lets you lose a sense of stability and structure. Ricardo Rocha's portuguese guitar is just as adventurous and technically pristine. He makes incredibly difficult things sound effortless. Peter Epstein's saxophone is nice. (I would like to have heard a cello or viola instead.)



If you like fado, you simply must hear this and Maria Ana Bobone's other recording (just as astounding), "Luz Destino." (For guitarists: Ricardo Rocha's guitar is much more prominent in that project.) If you like dreamy piano music, this will stretch your ears. If you like religious music, this will feel somehow familiar. The main thing is that the music, poetry, delivery, and recording are all full of meticulous beauty, everywhere, all at once. A luminous recording."

Deep voice

Simone Corelli | Italy | 01/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First of all: sorry for my english! I'm italian. The music in this cd is marvellous (surely better than Madredeus music), and the Ana's Voice is extremely seductive, feminine, lovable, expressive. I own ca. 350 cd and this is one of my preferred, absolutely. If you love Purcell's songs, and Keith Jarrett's improvvisations... buy this cd!"

Truely european

Ting Weng Tsau | Taiwan | 06/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this album,her voice is incredible.It turns my living room truly european."