Portugal: Best of Fado (ARC Music)
A former member of the Portuguese group Raizes do Fado, this acoustic album showcases vocalist Francisco Fialho. He is accompanied by Antonio Carvalho and Alfredo Pena on guitars. The 13 tracks on this album feature dramatic and passionate Portuguese folk tunes or fado about jealousy and loneliness, love and tenderness.
There are copious liner notes, with complete original Portuguese lyrics and summaries of the songs in English as well. Our picks on this album include Gotas (or Tears), Loucura (Insanity) and Vida Nocturna (Night Life). This is a good afternoon listen for fans of acoustic and vocal music.
Author: Madanmohan Rao
Madanmohan Rao is an author and media consultant from Bangalore, and global correspondent for world music and jazz for World Music Central and Jazzuality. He has written over 15 books on media, management and culture, and is research director for YourStory Media. Madan was formerly World Music Editor at Rave magazine and RJ at WorldSpace, and can be followed on Twitter at @MadanRao.
