Search - Madredeus :: Faluas Do Tejo (Lisboa 2005)

The essence of Madredeus

PME | Arizona ,USA | 06/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In Faluas do Tejo, Madredeus presents a collection of songs about the city of Lisbon. The arrangements are mostly simple and folksy, showcasing Teresa Salguero's voice in its purest form. The synthesizer does not play as prominent a role in this album as in their last, so the sound is cleaner and less heavy than in Um Amor Infinito.

"Lisboa, Rainha do Mar" opens the CD with a light barcarole-sounding song that immediately conjures images of the Tagus river.

"Nevoas da Madrugada," my personal favorite, carries a simple melody and light musical arrangement. It reminded me of some of the material on Ainda, their movie soundtrack album.

"O Cais Distante" is a moody, almost bluesy meditation.

"Na Estrada de Santiago" is a speak-sing number that reminded me of "Vislumbrar O Canto Encantado," but this one was better because Teresa sings a beautiful background melody that reinforces the power of her spoken parts.

"La de Fora" stands out as a happy, almost danceable tune that has an alternating root-fifth bass line (as far as I can tell). I believe this is the one tune that Teresa actually sort of danced to in Madredeus' London concert.

"O Canto do Saudade" finishes the CD with a seaside, drink-in-hand feel that makes you want to start all the songs over again from the beginning. Notably, Teresa sings in a lower range for this song and you get to hear a different tone that is much more comfortable to the ear, especially if you don't like her very high parts (although I very much do).



Please buy this album and enjoy the virtual trip to Lisbon.

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