Cristina Branco "Abril" *
11 July 2008 | Amazon | 23:45 - 01:00 |
Line-up:
Cristina Branco (vocals); Ricardo Dias (musical director, piano); João Moreira (trumpet); Mário Delgado (guitar); Bernardo Moreira (double bass); Alexandre Frazão (drums).
About Cristina Branco "Abril" *
On her new CD Abril Cristina Branco pays tribute to the work of
the Portuguese singer José "Zeca" Afonso. His music and lyrics
including the legendary Grândola Vila Morena played a significant
part in the Carnation Revolution of 1974 that brought an end to the
military dictatorship in Portugal. Abril sounds jazzier than the
music we are used to hearing from Cristina Branco. While the
Portuguese fado is all about suffering, nostalgia and the
uncertainty of fate, Branco has always been open to other
influences. She loves beauty, harmony and poetry. Time and again
her magnificent voice, the empathic interpretations and the
inventive arrangements of the band create a special ambience on the
stage. Originally, the fado did not seem to be the style for which
Branco had been born. It was only when her grandfather gave her a
record of Amália Rodrigues for her 18th birthday that Branco felt
she was predestined to sing this type of music. Today she is
regarded as one of the most talented singers of the new generation.
Abril was showered with praise by the critics.