Cristina Branco Live in Amsterdam, Netherlands

by Cristina Branco

Overview

Back in 1997, the revival of the beautiful Portuguese song form known as fado hadn't begun, and Cristina Branco was an unknown artist on tour in Holland. This live disc, culled from three performances, formed her debut, while showcasing her glittering partnership with Custodio Castelo, a master of the distinctive Portuguese guitar so vital to the real fado sound -- in fact, he kicks off proceedings with the instrumental "Fins do Sol." Wonderful as he is, it's Branco who dominates the proceedings as soon as she appears, with a voice of crystalline purity, capable of rising to an intense ache -- or saudade -- on "Que Fazes Ai Lisboa" or showing a mix of power and tenderness on "Maria Lisboa." Captured in concert, her ability is immediately evident, a remarkable singer, although still not fully formed, but with an intense, natural feel for the style. Her accompanists frame everything perfectly; even if you don't understand the deep poetry of the fado lyrics, the emotion communicates it beautifully. Castelo, when he has the chance, as on "Sinos de Waibel," is nothing less than stunning; it's easy to imagine the impact these shows must have had on an unsuspecting audience. The tracks here -- which formed Branco's debut album in her homeland -- are finally available globally and are a welcome document of one of new fado's stars in the making. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	11/15/2011
Label:	Arc Music
UPC:	5019396235120
Rank:	162843

Tracks

1. Intro
2. Fins do Sol
3. Vai o bem fugindo
4. Canto e solid¿¿o
5. Quisera lavar o pensamento
6. Fado louco
7. Saudades de J¿¿lia Mendes
8. Que fazes a¿¿ Lisboa
9. Maria Lisboa
10. Sinos de Waibel
11. Fado das sedes
12. Nevoeiro
13. Espelho quebrado
14. O meu cavalo passeia
15. Verdes s¿¿o os campos
16. Ausente
17. Povo que lavas no rio

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Cristina Branco   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

David Mourao Ferreira   Composer
Maria Manuela Cid   Composer
Rogerio Manuel Tavares Bracinha   Composer
Arlindo DeCarvalho   Composer
Mario Goncalves   Composer
Luis de Camoes   Composer
Pedro Homem de Mello   Composer
Alain Oulman   Composer
Cesar Oliveira   Composer
Jorge Fernando   Composer
Jose Afonso   Composer
Custodio Castelo   Composer
Maria Duarte   Composer
Manuel D'andrade   Composer
Fado Victoria   Composer