The Whole Music Experience

Marta Topferova, World Village WME Top 20 Folkloric/Traditional Women Vocalists 1. Mariza (Portugal) 2. Cristina Branco (Portugal) 3. Cesaria Evora (Cape Verde) 4. Lura (Cape Verde/Portugal) 5. Savina Yannatou (Greece) 6. Oumou Sangare (Mali) 7. Rokia Traore (Mali) 8. Lila Downs (US/Mexico) 9. Monica Salmaso (Brazil) 10. Tania Libertad (Peru) 11. Mariana Montalvo (Chile/France) 12. Barbara Luna (Argentina) 13. Marta Topferova (US) 14. Sui Vesan (Czech Republic) 15. Jenny Wilhelms (Finland) 16. Julie Fowlis (Scotland) 17. Uxia (Spain) 18. Marina Rossell (Spain) 19. Estrella Morente (Spain) 20. Omara Portuondo (Cuba) Women or Mixed Voice Ensembles 1. Faraualla (Italy) 2. Kitka (US) 3. Corou de Berra (France) This wasn't an easy list to compile.  Many fabulous vocalists weren't included, such as Native American, Indian classical, jazz, blues, bluegrass, or American folk artists.  I'll compile ...

Joana Amendoeira À Flor Da Pele World Village A new fadista to my ears, Joana Amendoeira sings original fados in a classic style that hails back to the era before Amàlia Rodrigues. Her fifth CD, À Flor da Pele offers less gusto than her contemporary Mariza’s work, but as much sensuality and beauty as heard on Mariza’s and Cristina Branco’s recordings. Joana’s vocals caress every note and she embodies the poetry she sings with broad strokes. Her band includes Pedro Amendoeira on Portuguese guitar, Pedro Pinhal on classical guitar and Paulo Paz on double bass and the music the quartet performs possesses a sepia tone veneer and a whiff of nostalgia. Although I don’t understand Portuguese, I feel the longing Joana sings about in the song, Apelo . The following song, Amor O Teu Nome conjures the happiness of lovers with its lilting Portuguese guitar and Joana’s spritely vocal interpretation. And each song, opalescent and strung together like pearls, reveals the di...