Fado: Exquisite Passion
Portuguese fado ("fate") is one of the world's most attractive-sounding exhalations of romance-gone-wrong, pessimism, and resignation. Usually sung by mysterious, black-clad ladies wrapped in lacey shawls and accompanied by mellow plucked strings, it originated along the Lisbon waterfront. While its bitter lyrics and stark fatalism have much in common with the blues and Argentinean tango, it most closely resembles related Lusophone styles such as Cape Verdean Morna and Brazilian choro. In fact, fans of Cesaria Evora who have been wondering what to try next will adore fado, as it also features lushly melancholy vocal histrionics and an all-acoustic back-up. The songs tend to be composed in minor keys, but the rhythms are gently marked; the women are balladeers, solitary after-hours troubadours. This compilation features some of the best fadistas in the business, from the late, great Amalia Rodrigues to newcomers like Cristina Branco, and all are captured in peak form.--Christina Roden