Search - Various Artists :: Portugal: Music From the Edge of Europe

The edge referred to is geographic, not a reference to progressiveness or difficulty. In fact, this is a diverse album of roots and wings from Portugal, featuring both wonderful folk and new- folk. The most famous music of Portugal is fado. The traditional side is well represented by two tracks from the inimitable Amalia Rodrigues, accompanied only by guitar. It is "the singer, not the song," and she proves it. The other side of the coin is best shown by Madredeus, a contemporary ensemble that straddles Piazzolla's drama and Kronos Quartet's modern "edge." In between are some fair to good pop music tracks and some excellent jazz-fado fusions that show the music is alive and growing. --Louis Gibson