Search - Queens of Fado :: Queens of Fado

Outstanding introduction to both traditional and new fado

Antonio Goncalves | 07/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most of the great traditional fadistas are included in this CD, among them: Amália Rodrigues, Argentina Santos, Fernanda Baptista, Hermínia Silva. One track from my favorite traditional fadista, Margarida Bessa, is also there with her powerful, crystalline voice (Fado da Defesa, beautiful but still not my favorite of hers). Notably absent is Maria Teresa de Noronha, the most aristocratic of all fadistas, in the same league as Margarida Bessa.



Two of the best known of today's fado singers are included too: Cristina Branco and Dulce Pontes. Their voices are truly magnificent. Cristina Branco is more traditional, sticking more to the standard fado instruments: Portuguese guitar, classical guitar, bass guitar. Dulce Pontes brings in other instruments more, and pushes the envelope in other ways too. Many of her songs are more pop than fado (not the track on this CD). Notably absent are Mísia and Mariza, also quite well known and more in the traditional mold.



Other remarkable but less well known new generation fadistas are also there. Maria Ana Bobone is my favorite among them, a voice that rings with the purest tones of any fadista singing today, in Margarida Bessa's class. Unfortunately, neither of Maria Ana Bobone's two CDs are fado, so one is reduced to compilations like this one if one wants to hear what she can do with fado. Also included in this CD is Anabela, a great young singer who like Pontes often skirts the edges of pop. There is also Bévinda, a striking voice and an enticing style that sets her apart from all others.



This is a remarkable compilation, put together with great care. In my view, it is the best available introduction to both traditional and new fado, and the price can't be beat. There are a few other good ones around: "Great Voices of Fado", "Fado, Exquisite Passion", "Fado, the Soul of Portugal", "The Rough Guide to Fado, "The Rough Guide to the Music of Portugal". This last CD, mostly about traditional fado, has my favorite Margarida Bessa fado (Fala da Mulher Sozinha, one that shows what lilting is all about) and one from Maria Teresa de Noronha.



If you want to look further into traditional fado I recommend, in order of preference: "Fado" by Margarida Bessa, "Biografias do Fado: Maria Teresa de Noronha", "The Art of Amália Rodrigues". In new fado I recommend, also in order of preference: "O Primeiro Canto" by Dulce Pontes, "Corpo Iluminado" by Cristina Branco, "Fatum" by Bévinda, "Guarda-me a Vida na Mão" by Ana Moura, "Origens" by Anabela, "Fado Maior" by Katia Guerreiro, "Garras dos Sentidos" by Mísia, "Fado em Mim" by Mariza."