Fado Camões
Galileo, 2024
8/10
The Portuguese singer Lina highlights the lyrics of Portugal's most revered poet, Luís de Camões, where an excellent cast helps flesh out the worldly sounds of these 12 tracks.
“Desamor” starts the listen with John Baggott’s emotive piano and Pedro Viana’s warm guitar complementing Lina’s expressive pipes, and “Quando Vos Veria” follows with Justin Adams holding down electric guitar amid the poetic singing from Lina’s gorgeous voice.
“Senhora Minha” lands in the middle, and pairs Baggot’s moody organ with the stirring vocals, while “Se De Saudade Morrerei Ou Nau” carries a rich tone thanks to the moog, synth programming and Portuguese guitar that suits Lina’s agile delivery.
Close to the end, “Lina Vaz De Camoes”, the best track, flows with a pensive nature and stunning singing that uses Baggot’s keys and Viana’s guitar in sublime ways, and “Pois Meus Olhos Nao Cansam De Chorar” exits with a hint of atmosphere via the nature-esque backdrop that’s bare, dreamy and memorable.
A record that isn’t short on Latin rhythm, the spare but effective violin from Ianina Khmelik only accents the folkloric appeal of this very well thought out body of work.
Travels well with: Esbe- La Serenissima; Kuom Tara- Baraaim El-Louz