Fado with jazz and swing!
Fernando Forte | Lisbon, Portugal | 06/10/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This 1968 recording o'f some of Amália's best known songs is somewhat different from her usual records, allthough from the beginning of her career she accustomed us to innovate, above all else in the seemingly restricted area of fado. In fact, she was the first to sing classical portuguese fado songs accompanied by an orchestra (thus introducing the so-called fado-canção-fado-song), and later would innovate by singing folklore also accompanied by an orchestra, which she took, among other countries, to The USA in 1966 and 1968, at the Lincoln Center and the Hollywood Bowl. She would later innovate even more, singing more extensive melodies, different kinds of poems, and different arrangements from the classical portuguese fado accompaniments. Thus this "Encontro" record was born when American saxophonist Don Byas came to Portugal to play at Lisbon's Jazz Festival, and since several connoisseurs felt there were similarities between jazz and the art of Amália and even Fado, it was arranged for them both to record together. So, Don Byas, so the story goes, listened to some of her songs, and they recorded them. Though, critically the result wasn't as expected, (the saxophone, as it was recorded, doesn't seem to add much to the usual arrangements), Amália's voice was supreme, going from her more famous songs (Povo Que Lavas No Rio, Solidão, Maldição, Ai Mouraria, Estranha Forma de Vida-Strange Way of Life-the latter written by herself-to the more joyous Coimbra-April In Portugal- and Lisboa Antiga). The record was only released in 1973, because Amália was convinced critics would not like the mingling of fado and jazz, but she was persuaded, as she herself said, to let it be distributed. Strangely, this recording comes through as a sort of lullaby from beginning to end, with Amália's rendition of her songs among some of the best (un unforgettable Povo..., Estranha Forma...Cansaço, Ai Mouraria and Maldição). It was a once in a lifetime recording and a once in a lifetime unforgettable record!"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1