Cesaria Evora: Nha Sentimento

By David Honigmann

Cesaria Evora
Nha Sentimento
Lusafrica

The sexagenarian Cape Verdean barefoot diva is synonymous with Sodade, the Atlantic melancholy, nostalgia and regret that runs through much music in Portuguese. Her new album, however, is heavy on upbeat, lightweight numbers; Evora’s trademark aching mornas are few and far between. When they come, they are wonderful: ‘Vento De Sueste’, ‘Sentimento’ and ‘Mam’Bia E So Mi’ all float on Egyptian string arrangements by Fathy Salama. But the faster pace of the bulk of the album suits her far less well.