Mariza

by Liz Spikol

Mariza
Fado Em Mim
TIMES SQUARE RECORDS

Argentina has its tango, Spain its flamenco and Portugal its fado. But thanks to Mariza (one name, like Cher) the fado may be evolving beyond its relegation as "traditional" (aka boring) music. To get an idea of what Mariza is doing for the fado, picture a female mariachi who's as young, famous and as respected as Alicia Keys. Though she only left the States a couple weeks ago to return to Portugal, Mariza is already planning a June appearance at the Global Divas Concert at the Hollywood Bowl with Lauryn Hill. But the word diva calls to mind all kinds of obnoxious behavior and fancy showstoppers, and that's just not Mariza's style. Her debut CD, the remarkably assured Fado Em Mim, shines with the brilliance of a woman who's been singing in bars all her life and is finally, finally, finally given a studio and some great backing musicians. Her capacity for emotionality--which is key when singing the fado's songs about longing and sadness--makes her seem older than she really is. She also brings sensuality to the traditional rhythms, because, she notes, fact that some say the fado used to be danced. Her voice is an unhurried blend of Susanna Baca and Caesaria Evora that actually sounds best on the traditional fado tracks on this album. The first track, "Loucura," is sad yet catchy, and talks about the madness that grips performers of the fado. "Chuva" starts out a little too Enya for my taste, but picks up halfway through. The only drawback to this album is that after a while, the languid vibrato and laid-back pacing can make you feel like taking a nap. But Mariza is poised to go big, which will probably involve making fado-less albums in English. That would be a shame. She has everything she needs right now. A-