Hi, Sher and Lobo,
I think there's probably no doubt that in terms of popularity (both at home and abroad), Mariza has "taken over" the position of #1 fado star. But I know that some (maybe a lot of?) Amalia fans think that, though she has a beautiful voice, Mariza just doesn't sing fado, she is more of a new age music person. I have seen Mariza in concert and she has a lot more staging and drama than what I've seen of Amalia concerts on video. But both voices, to me, are hauntingly beautiful and come from the soul. We're lucky to have so many recordings of Amalia, and I think lucky to be able to see Mariza live. Laurie

Nobody has arrived yet to claim the throne. A bad service rendered by the enthusiasts of emerging stars is calling them "the new Amalia", because Amalia has joined the category of "those who, with their valiant works / are from the law of death (men) liberating".

PS: INMO Ana Moura is more "fadista" than Mariza.

I have some recordings of Amalia, but I think my appreciation is hampered by the quality of the old recordings.

Try this online
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFgctURyGp4

It's my favourite fado ever (what a strange way of live). In it the singer is displaying a dialog between her mind (reason) and her heart (emotions) and the reason concludes to the heart: "If you don't know where you are going to, why to you persist in running? Stop!, Cease beating, because I can't follow you anyfurther". (something like that)

Fado sips its origins in Greek tradition, and you might trace this reason/emotion fight to ancient authors like Plato himself.

The music is from another outstanding figure of 20th century, Alfredo "Marceneiro" Duarte and the lyrics from Amalia herself, which proofs that Amalia was not just a performer, but a poet herself.

Lobo,
wow, thank you for this link. That is an amazing song and an amazing performance. I'm really not very knowledgeable in the way of fado, but this is truly electric. And I will definitely check out Ana Moura's work -- I see Amazon has several different cds. Lobo, can you tell me your favorite?

Since I had trouble making out all the words in the Amalia song, I found an amateur translation on the web, to fill in the blanks of what Lobo already told us:

It was God's will
That I should live in this anxiety
That all the woes are mine
That all longing is mine
It was God's will

What a strange way to live
Has this heart of mine
It lives on life that's lost
Who gave it such a skill
What a strange way to live

Independent heart
Heart that I do not command
You live lost among the people
Stubbornly bleeding
Independent heart

I won't follow you anymore
Stop, don't beat again
If you don't know where you're going
Why do you insist on running
I won't follow you anymore

The last one "Para alem da saudade". Check this site before ordering.

http://en.tunesbag.com/music/Ana+Mou...-m-da-saudade/

I like "Até ao fim do fim" (about separation) and "Fado das horas Incertas" (the relativity of time).

Some more about Ana Moura:
http://virb.com/anamoura

Lobo, thank you so much for these links. I have just ordered the most recent CD.

For me, it was interesting to compare Mariza's version of Rosa Cor de Rosa with Ana Moura's (which is on the tunesbag link). Though I know very little about music, it seemed to me that Ana Moura's version seemed more "traditional" and less "hyped" and overly dramatic. But I do love Mariza!

Thanks again -- Laurie

Great info! I enjoyed the fado of Marcela Ortiz from Mexico. Do you know where can I buy the new cd? Thank you

Bullfighters abuse

http://www.malhanga.com/videosflash/

Azorean street amusement

Two questions:

What's the matter with those people?

Which one were you?

I prefer watching on TV :-)

Nikki. Maybe it was their five minutes of fame.

Hi all - long time.

I am still around once in awhile and glad to keep in touch.

So DC will actually have some fado (or close) if you are in the area.

http://lisner.org/eventdetails.asp?id=520

Christmas illuminations were switched on 2 nights ago.

Very cool fado stuff! Many thanks.

lobo_mau. Wish I was there to see the lights.

From the south east corner of Praça da Figueira, direction to the castle, there is a very short street called Rua dos Condes de Monsanto. It's realy short (20 or 30 meters). On the left side (door 4) there is a door looking like an ordinary building entrance. After climbing 3 rows of stairs, there is Caxemira, a Tandoori/Indian restaurant. It's a small place (20 seats, nice staff, reasonably priced (2 for 20 euros, no wine) and my friends of Indian/Asian origin claim that it's authentic.
Opened all days but Sundays and official holidays. 12am to 3pm and 6:30pm to 10pm. tel 218865486 or 218874791.
You only go there if you know what you are looking for because, from the outside, nobody could tell there is a restaurant in there.

For curious minds only:
Praça da Figueira is the "Fig Tree Square", although I've never found the existence of the fig tree itself, and Caxemira means "Cashmere" (similar pronunciation), which makes sense as the name of a Tandoori restaurant.

It's f... cold out there!!!