The Art of the Portuguese Fado Guitar

by Custodio Castelo

Overview

Custodio Castelo is the world's leading player of the Portuguese guitar, the instrument that helps give the country's fado music its poignant sing. But he's more than a great musician, he's also a remarkable composer, as this album of original work shows. He's accompanied many of the great modern fadistas, but this is primarily an instrumental disc where his talents have real chance to shine (there is one vocal track, "Prece," with Cristina Maria doing the singing honors). His writing evokes places and moods ("Amsterdam" and "Ritos," for instance). Although he's a very evocative player, Castelo rarely flashes his virtuosity. He does make an exception on "Homenagem a Paredes," where his opening flourish of notes is jaw-droppingly magnificent. His instrument is capable of fine nuances of emotion, and he uses them well, especially for melancholy, but also for a sense of jubilation. It's a remarkable record, eloquent, sophisticated, and yet ineffably rooted in Portugal, a work from a true master. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	01/25/2011
Label:	Arc Music
UPC:	5019396231528
Rank:	86028

Tracks

1. Tempus
2. Ausente
3. Terra De Po
4. Amsterdam
5. Quase Morna
6. Homenagem A Paredes
7. Maria Lunia
8. Velho Fado De Lisboa
9. Prece
10. Danca Em Tango
11. Martim
12. Converza
13. Sinos De Waibel
14. ARC'Antica
15. Ritos
16. Murmurios Do Silencio
17. Fado Monte

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Custodio Castelo   Primary Artist,Guitar,Guitar (Bass)
Alexandre Silva   Guitar
Fernando Maia   Guitar (Bass)
Marino De Freitas   Guitar (Bass)
Jorge Fernando   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Ricardo Dias   Accordion
Miguel Carvalhinho   Guitar (Classical)
Carlos Garcia   Guitar
Carlos Manuel Proenca   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Filipe Larsen   Fretless Bass
Gilberto Silva   Guitar
Carlos Velez   Guitar
Cristina Maria   Vocals

Technical Credits

Custodio Castelo   Composer,Engineer,Liner Notes,Photo Courtesy
Fernando Nunes   Engineer,Mastering,Mixing
Diz Heller   Liner Notes,Translation
Ute Entwistle   Translation,Typesetting
Jeannine Blanpain   Translation
Alex Croft   Cover Design
Eduardo De Sousa   Engineer