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Mariza
Fado en Mim
Fado is Portugal's answer to flamenco and the blues - a music of pure feeling whose histrionics either touch you or they don't. Judging by the rapturous response accorded new fado queen Mariza at the recent World Music Awards, her all out emotional assault hits a very particular Anglosaxon nerve. A bottle-blond amazon in Victorian-gothic finery, she sweeps through her songs with foot-stamping hauteur, a defiant exaltation in misery that feels alien, yet profoundly exhilarating, to our northern ears.
There's delicacy as well as bluster on this relaunched first album (now including an additional CD recorded at last summer's Womad festival), though even at its most wistful, Mariza's luminous voice retains a touch of oriental fire.
The beautifully understated arrangements - just guitar, a touch of piano and a plinking mandolin-like instrument - evoke a world of fin de siecle cafes and melancholy midwinter sunlight while chiming occasionally, but potently, with Anglo-American balladry. O Gente da Minha Terra would make a fantastic showstopper for Whitney Houston, while Terra d'Agua has an echo of Nights in White Satin. They also happen to be my favourite numbers. 04/21/03
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