Monday, June 29, 2009

TRUE ARTISTS, Part 10: Ana Maria Bobone

I've written previously about FADO, or fate, the traditional, soul music of Portugal, first popularized globally by the late Amalia Rodrigues and today by the incredible Mariza (see 4/22/09 and 3/8/09 posts). Before I experienced Mariza, my favorite fadista was a young woman named Ana Maria Bobone. Always on the hunt for fado, perhaps 12 years ago, I went to the beautiful NJ Performing Arts Center for a "fado package show" and there she was. I was mezmerized by her hauntingly beautiful voice and her beauty. I had never heard a voice like that and it stuck in my head. I saw her again live there a year later and then she hosted a program on fado on RTP, Portuguese television for a year or so. Surfing YouTube, I chanced upon some clips of Ana Maria Bobone and wanted to share them with you. They do not fully showcase her artistry, but they will give you a sense of how well-suited she is to fado. Her star is somewhat overshadowed by Mariza and a host of other fado singers today. Regardless, Ana Maria Bobone is a true artist and I hope we'll be hearing more from her.

"Nome De Mar"


"Azenha"


"Que Deus Me Perdoe" (very strangely, a guy is painting pidgeon sculptures; try to ignore him!)


"Sabe-Se La"

"Ave Maria" (audio with still, religious image)


Porter Tubb

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