Cristina Branco
Murmúrios
Post-Scriptum
both titles L'impreinte digitale/France

Fado is a Portuguese response to the American blues. Like the many blues artists of today and yesterday, Cristina Branco can express the tiniest nuances of feeling with a simple phrase; the sad happiness of leaving a homeland, the longing for a lover's return, the loneliness of indecision. All of this is laid out before the listener like sand falling from her hands.

Where the blues is often a male proposition, fado is an expression of the feminine voice of longing, loss and grief. From Ceasoria Evora (whose Cape Verdean morna is rooted in the fado) to Misia to Madredeus, the song's expression is in the hands of the female vocals. Cristina Branco's voice is an instrument played with superb precision. It is pure and totally in control. On these two gorgeous albums, simple Portuguese guitar, piano, and bass form a close combo that accompany her rich voice. And at only 27, her career has just begun. Here she sings the full range of Fado classics, from quiet two steps to bouncy waltzes, always in the minor key which leaves her room to experiment.

The packaging of Murmúrios and Post-Scriptum is aimed at the growing world of fado aficionados. Lyrics are printed in Portuguese, French and English. So if you have been awaiting somewhere to lay your blues (in Portuguese), your wait is over. - Brian Grosjean