The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #138064 Message #3158879
Posted By: GUEST,Bob Coltman
22-May-11 - 06:16 PM
Thread Name: The Astonishing Mariza (fado singer)
Subject: The Astonishing Mariza
I want to bring to your attention, if you've not heard her before, a person I think may turn out to be one of the most memorable singers you have ever seen or heard:
Mariza, today's premier singer (in my opinion) of fado — sometimes characterized as the Portuguese equivalent of the blues.
Looking through the DT, I've found a few scattered mentions of Mariza. Till now, though, she's had no thread of her own. She deserves one, so here it is.
She was born in Lourenco Marques, Mozambique, of Portuguese and African ancestry, which perhaps accounts for her stunning blend of Portuguese style with a kinetic quality I think no previous singer has matched. More info here:
To my mind Mariza is one of the world's greatest singers and performers ever. Her visual presence is astonishing, her voice mesmerizing. Let me suggest you try a few of her best videos. She's made wonderful album videos, but is best seen in concert, where her command of mood, facial expression and presence are beyond description: