MARIZA: LIVE IN LONDON 

BY JASON RICHARDS

Hands down, the most spellbinding feature of Mariza's 03 live show at London's Union Chapel isn't her robust, trilling voice. And it's not her gold cornrows or her opulent costume – a sort of Lady Macbeth meets Phantom of the Opera meets liquidation sale at Fabricland – it's her face. Throughout her 100-minute concert, the Mozambique-born Portuguese fadista displays every emotion in the dramatic spectrum with her intensely expressive eyebrows and mouth, from haughty pride to profound regret to unbridled joy to vengeful satisfaction to fleeting indigestion, often in the span of seconds. Even as she introduces her adept accompanists on Portuguese and acoustic guitars and bass (and later, on viola, trumpet and piano), the passion emanating from her face can be enough to move you to tears. The brief words Mariza offers in between her epic songs are heartfelt and informative, and the DVD's production values are professional overall. Extras consist of an interview and music videos for O Gente De Minha Terra and Cavaliero Monge.