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The name of Cesária Evora has already appeared, a few days ago, on these pages for the first time, without, however, arousing particular attention. That's a shame, such a remarkable artist deserves all the best that can be bestowed upon her, she deserves to be talked about as much as possible. Cesária belongs to that select group of singers who have had the honor of being ambassadors of their homeland, their people, their culture, and have done so in the best possible way. Cape Verde, a handful of small islands in the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of Senegal, a land of fishermen, to which Portuguese colonialism has bequeathed a precious legacy: a musicality that, combined with local traditions, has given birth to two endemic genres, Morna and Coladeira. The first is more languid and melancholic, the second cheerful and relaxed, they are two sides of the same coin, the main instrument is the cavaquinho, essentially a variant of the classic acoustic guitar, accompanied by traditional percussion and wind instruments like clarinets and trumpets, or by violins and accordions. Simple structures but arranged with an almost unexpected elegance which, combined with a golden voice like that of Cesária Evora, create a set with a very recognizable personality and, above all, of immense charm.
The first CD of this rich and comprehensive double best of begins with a reinterpretation of the Latin evergreen "Besame Mucho", and it's already a blow to the heart. A striking expression that, however, doesn't quite capture the idea: Cesária doesn't strike the heart, she more likely burns it slowly, enchanting with her warm, rich timbre, which in its simplicity free of unnecessary frills conveys sublime elegance. For a piece like this, there is no better voice, a voice that can transmit all the passion, the intertwining of spirit and desire, the romantic spleen inherent in this melody. All typical characteristics of Morna, which are also found in "Sodade", bare and twilight, which in 1992 introduced her to the world, and "Petit Pays", "Cize", "Beijo Roubado", "Mar de Canal", "Voz d'Amor" and "Mar Azul"; "Miss Perfumado" and "Flor Di Nha Esperanca", which stand out for their elegantly refined orchestral accompaniments. In all these songs there is indeed melancholy, a touch of sadness, the colors of twilight, but also an inexhaustible vitality, a proud attachment to one's roots and a deep love for one's land, which in "Cabo Verde Terra Estimada" assumes an almost idyllic dimension, or more painful in "Sangue de Beirona" with its chanted counter-melodies.
Where there is vigor and lightness, there is never a lack of sobriety, grace, and a sense of balance that perfectly balances the whole and gives Cesária Evora's music its own distinctive dimension: "Carnaval De Sao Vicente", "Mas Un Sonho", "Badju Sabi" and "Fala pa Fala" are orchestrated and sparkling delights, but I think the highest peaks of charm are reached in the episodes where the acoustic framework is more evident, I think of "Tchintchirote", "Verde Cabo di Nhas Odjos" and especially the pair "Serpentina"-"Velocidade", placed immediately after "Besame Mucho": in these two songs you can fully grasp all the essence and beauty of Cesária's vocalism and musicality, which the rolling rhythms and sinuosity of these two melodies enhance in all their shapeshifting charisma. "Serpentina" has a sensually enigmatic character, "Velocidade" an almost playful nonchalance, both have a unique charm.
The music of Cesária Evora is good for the soul, and is a perfect example of the beauty and goodness that can exist in the world; trust me, listen to it, make it yours, internalize it. But not to please me, this is advice I give you because I care about you, my dear readers.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Cize (05:22)
Um raio de luz, senta na bo rosto
Ele lumiam caminho, de nha destino
Amim, jam conchê felicidade
O Deus, mas que pura verdade!...
Esse bô odjinho, di luz sim c'ma prata
Esse bô rostinho, ta parce-me qu'um santa
O Cize, bô qu'ê luz di nha vida
Jam crê morrê, si bô negam, querida !...
'M dormi nôte, 'm sonha qu'nha crêtcheu
Um sonho feliz, mas que realidade
'M pedi Deus, pa bô bem ser di meu
Sem bô amôr, 'm ca tem felicidade !...
03 Vida tem um so vida (05:39)
Sô na madrugada di um note sem fim
Na estrada na lua cheia
Na terra di ninguem
Bô parcê um cantar di sol na nha ôie
Luar na nha sonho
Noiva d'madrugada suave juvenil
Bô prendê'me nha alma
'M contá até mil dotes
Di beleza na bô
Qui dixá preso nha pobre coraçon
Ma na prisâo d'nha liberdade sem bô
Cu nha razâo magoado sem gosto
Na nha alma um vazio
Dum tristeza profundo
'M conchê um verdade dess mundo :
C'ma vida tem um sô vida
05 Besame mucho (04:55)
Besame
Besame mucho
Como si fuera esta noche la ultima vez
Besame
Besame mucho
Que tengo miedo pederte, perderte otra vez
Quiero tenerte muy cerca
mirarme en tus ojos
verte junto a mi
Piensa que tal vez manana yo ya estaré lejos
muy lejos de ti.
Besame
Besame mucho
Como si fuera esta noche la ultima vez
Besame
Besame mucho
Que tengo miedo pederte, perderte después
08 Mar azul (03:38)
O... Mar, detá quitinho bô dixam bai
Bô dixam bai spiá nha terra
Bô dixam bai salvá nha Mâe...
Oh Mar
Mar azul, subi mansinho
Lua cheia lumiam caminho
Pam ba nha terra di meu
São Vicente pequinino, pam bà braçá nha cretcheu...
Oh... Mar, anô passá tempo corrê
Sol raiá, lua sai
A mi ausente na terra longe...
O Mar
09 Petit Pays (03:47)
La na céu bo é um estrela
Ki ca ta brilha
Li na mar bo é um areia
Ki cata moja
Espaiod nesse monde fora
So rotcha e mar
Terra pobre chei di amor
Tem morna tem coladera
Terra sabe chei di amor
Tem batuco tem funana
Oi tonte sodade
Sodade sodade
Oi tonte sodade
Sodade sem fim
Petit pays je t'aime beaucoup
Petit petit je l'aime beaucoup
11 Sodade (03:44)
Quem mostro'b
Ess caminho longe?
Quem mostro'b
Ess caminho longe?
Ess caminho
Pa São Tomé
Sodade sodade sodade
Dess nha terra d’São Nicolau
Si bo t'screve'm
M’ta screve'b
Si bo t'squece'm
M’ta squece'b
Até dia
Ke bo volta
Sodade sodade sodade
Dess nha terra d’São Nicolau
13 Miss perfumado (04:31)
Dixa'm morrê ta sonhá
Na sombra di odjo magoado
Duma pequena gentil
Di corpo perfumado
Assim dixa'm môrré ô flor
Na sombra di bô odjinho
Dixa'm morré ta sonhá
Assim cuma pomba na sê ninho
Si pomba é feliz na sê ninho
A mim também mi é feliz
Na sombra di odjo ma carinho
Di Miss Perfumado
16 Sangue de Beirona (03:35)
Quem qu're sabê
Si sangue de Beirona é sim' sabe
El ba panha 'l
La na fundo di Ladera
Sangue de Beirona
Sangue de Beirona
El é sabe
El é doce
Si bô c'octha'l
La na fundo di Ladera
Bo ta culpa'
E quem faze'be ess coladera
17 Angola (04:24)
Ess vida sabe qu'nhôs ta vivê
Parodia dia e note manché
Sem maca ma cu sabura
Angola angola
Oi qu'povo sabe
Ami nhos ca ta matá-me
'M bem cu hora pa'me ba nha caminho
Ess convivência dess nhôs vivência
Paciência dum consequência
Resistência dum estravagância
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