Search - Amalia Rodrigues :: Songs in an Ancient Tongue

With COM QUE VOZ, This Ranks As The Best

Kenneth H. Young | ClearlakeOaks, CA USA | 11/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"EMI endorses COM QUE VOZ as Amalia's "best" from the 70's-80's, a period of some of her deepest emotive singing, and I am torn between VOZ and this, CANTIGAS NUMA LINGUO ANTIGA (Songs in an Ancient Tongue), another true highlight by this late great artist - demonstrating an artist at the height of her mature powers. From the opening "Alfama" to "Song of Viana" one is pulled into the deep timbre of her unique voice that sounds like a heart broken open - sung by one who had an inate way of knowing and reaches out to teach us. The world premiere of the new documentary of Amalia was in March 2000 at The United Nations and premieres next week, 12/8/2000 in NYC (see The Art of Amalia, a film by Bruno de Almeida). With this film and recordings such as these, perhaps her artistry will reach beyond the best kept global "secret". Such a gift should be shared with the world!"

What's she singing? I don't know but I love it.

Victor Eijkhout | Knoxville, TN USA | 09/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had never heard of Amalia Rodrigues, or Fado for that matter, until I read her obituary. I picked up this disc as a random grab from her catalogue. Boy was I blown away. Simple arrangements, voice and two acoustic guitars, but delivered with such emotion! I don't understand the lyrics (beware, the title of the album and songs may be given in English here on Amazon, but that's all the help you're going to get. The booklet is minimal, has no translation, or Portugese lyrics for that matter.) but I can feel what they are about. I love it."