Post Gazette, CD Review >>
Mariza has honed the emotional strains of Portugal's traditional song for Fado, to the point that she is considered a fado diva. Fado, as I understand it, is Portugal's Blues or Tango or Flamenco-- it is an emotional kind of music that is full of passion sorrow, jealousy, grief and often satire. Fado Curvo is packed with a dozen songs sung in Portuguese, that Mariza perfroms and makes them her own. Choices include cuts as the pretty "Silence of the Guitar," the intrigue of "Monk Rider," the exciting "The Fair At Castro," the huanting "Alfama Alleys," and the visual masterpiece "Portrait." The title cut "Fado Curvo" is a spiraling gem that sets the pace for beauties as the emotional, "Little Boy of the Black Quarter," the reminissing "Caravels," the romantic "Between River and Reason," and sings about her love coming to get her on "The Desert." The genuine agony in her voice stamps the sad, "Spring" and "Curls of My Hair" which finish off her CD. To me, Fado Curvo, equates to emotion.
Bob Morello 06/20/03
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