May 24, 2011

Carminho-resized.jpg
Carminho - hypnotically intense. But then Fado ain't for the laid back.


Continuing our week of World Music. Anyone who is remotely familiar with the music of Portugal knows the Fado genre has been going full blast since roughly the 1800's. It is a style of music and playing that is, to put it mildly, emotional. But because it's a genre that is so ingrained in Portuguese society, there is a tradition and new musicians come along regularly and add their point of view to it.

One of the more recent practitioners is Carminho, whose career has taken off in her native Portugal and is touring extensively this summer around Europe. She represents the new generation of Fado singers, who are mixing up a whole range of elements along with the Fado style, and doing it in a very engaging way - Carminho has gotten the reputation lately of being one of the best at it.

Tonight's track is off her debut album Carminho - Fado, released by EMI in Portugal (and probably nowhere else as Major labels are sort of like that). Meu Amor Marinheiro is one of two tracks being promoted on her site which, if you get a chance, take a look at.

Fado may not be for everyone, but you have to admit it leaves very little room for non-committal. And in a world of wishy-washy and mediocre, that's wonderful.

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