[.ca] Cabo Verde

Like Ireland, Cape Verde is a former island colony which has perennially lost its young people to emigration. And like its Irish counterpart, Verdean music is filled with songs of separation and homesickness. Cesaria Evora, the greatest Verdean singer of her generation, includes several of those songs on Cabo Verde, her sixth album overall but only her second release in the U.S. With a population descended from former Portuguese colonialists and former African slaves, Cape Verde closely resembles Brazil and has produced a music with similar rippling syncopation and light, sensual vocals, though the Verdean sound is marked by the breezy lilt characteristic of islands. But when Evora sings mournfully of a "Partida" (departure) that will take her love far away, anyone who has ever experienced such a separation will recognize the mix of pain and affection in her voice. That voice is a very special instrument, for it glides gracefully over the supple beat even as it resounds deeply in Evora's lower range and fills up with warm, enveloping resonance. She is backed by a small, all-acoustic Verdean combo led by the ukulele-like, four-string cavaquinho. American jazz great James Carter plays tenor saxophone on "Coragem Irmon," but Evora has no problem matching his thick, buttery tone. --Geoffrey Himes

From Amazon.co.uk:
Cesaria Evora sings morna, a cool mix of blues, jazz and Portuguese folk that is the national passion of Cape Verde. It's usually played on caviquinhos and guitars, sometimes piano, an occasional horn, with light touches of percussion. It is laidback compared to many other Latin and Portuguese derivatives, but it is made for the singer and the song. Cesaria Evora has a whiskey-and-cigarettes voice, a mournful, worldly style that has become what most folks think of when they say morna. Cabo Verde doesn't hit the high point of Miss Perfumado--it's a little heavier in the production and her voice not as powerful as in the past. But hers is still a magnificent voice, and if you have other Evora recordings, you'll want this one too. --Louis Gibson

What a captivating voice:
CABO VERDE is a great album for fans of world music. CESARIA EVORA has such a captivating voice, that the listener will be unable to stop listening to it. The songs are beautifully sung, with great melodies that makes this the perfect album to just lie back and listen to. When I listen to it, I feel like I am being trasported to another land. The songs are filled with emotion that the listener will be able to feel. Every song that is on this album is great, I cant find any songs here that I dont like. I first heard of CESARIA EVORA when I purchased CAFE ATLANTICO, which is another album that I highly recommend. I just love her voice and the emotion that pours out of her. This is a great addition to any music collection.

Soulful:
On this album, Cape Verde's greatest export to the world delivers another exquisite collection of mournful and yearning songs in her moving, bluesy voice. She sings in creolised Portuguese and the style (morna) is a mix of the Portuguese fado and African rhythms. Although Cape Verde lies just off the West African coast, this style has little in common with the mainland sounds from countries like Senegal or Mali. The instrumental mix includes guitars, the special rhythm guitar called cavaquino and even a clarinet to create an engaging polyrhythmic backing for Cesaria's graceful vocal style. Strangely, the sad songs have an uplifting effect on the spirit. Of the slower songs, my favourites are Ess Pais and Zebra, whilst the funkiest uptempo numbers are Quem Bo and Mae Velha. The track Pe Di Boi includes a lovely whistling interlude. The foot tapping dance track Sangue de Beirona is equally inspiring. This is an excellent album by one of the greatest artists in World Music today.

An Afro-Portuguese Sound & A Silk-Smooth Voice.:
I was sailing with some friends on an incredible trip to Africa, and we stopped briefly at the small island of Cabo Verde. I had never heard of Cesaria Evora before. I had really never heard much about Cabo Verde before this trip. In a small music/souvenier shop near the port, I heard this CD playing. I was hooked immediately. I bought a CD for myself and several for friends back home, and have never been more delighted with a chance find. My friends are still thanking me. Cabo Verde was colonized by the Portuguese, and the combination of the African and Portuguese cultures makes for some fabulous music - a little similar to sounds from Brazil. The music on this CD is a combination of the 'fado' from Portugal, mixed with the Brazilian ballad-like 'choro,' and soulful 'forros,' along with Cape Verde's own particular island sound. There is no better way to understand this wonderful, nuanced music than to listen to it. And Ms. Evora, herself, plays her voice and makes a music that is very much her own. The nostalgic "Partida," "Mar e Morada de Soledad," and "Ess Pais," are sung with a sadness and longing that evoke much emotion. Other cuts, like "Tchintchirote," and "Sangue de Beirona" make me want to just get up and dance to the Oh So Sensual Beat! It is Ms. Evora's soft, silky-smooth, engaging voice that is so special. She is backed by strings - the guitar and an instrument called the 'cavaquinho'- but the rhythms are pure island. A terrific CD! You will enjoy it!

• Tchintchirote
• Sabine Largam' \oSabino, Leave Me\c
• Partida \oThe Departure\c
• Sangue de Beirona
• Mar É Morado Di Sodade \oThe Sea Is the Home of Nostalgia\c
• Bô Ê Di Meu Cretcheu \oYou Are Mine, Beloved\c
• Coragem Irmon \oTake Courage, Brother\c
• Quem Bô Ê \oWho Are You? Mix\c
• Regresso (Return)
• Mãe Velha \oOld Mother\c
• Pe Di Boi \oQuarrel Theme\c
• Ess Pais \oThis Country\c