Transparente

Warm and entirely delicious Fado from Portugal. Mariza was actually born in Mozambique, and there’s just a hint of her African roots on this, but mostly it’s pure, rich, Fado. Completely heartbreaking, with a few less suicidal tracks. It’s deep, gorgeously sung, ably backed by acoustic guitars, violins, plus accordions, flutes, etc. Yum. Why can’t I sing like this? It’s not fair! Not fair, I say!

*1. Slow, soaring, and oh, so beautiful.
2. Gentle and moving w/lush strings.
*3. Midtempo w/a nice bounce & good use of strings.
4. Elegant, sophisticated, tragic. Beautifully sung.
5. Gently melodic, downtempo and lovely.
*6. Slow & full of longing. Sigh…
*7. Almost happy, mid. A touch of Africa. Great flute.
*8. Bright, bouncy w/a Portuguese café sound.
9. Slow and warm blend of vocals & strings.
10. Delicate, slow, a beautiful lament.
11. Nice use of clarinet. Down/midtempo.
12. Midtempo and almost joyful. Very nice.
13. Dramatic use of cello. Slow, spare, powerful.
14. Lots of strings, slow & soaring.