Search - Katia Guerreiro :: Tudo ou Nada

Katia, the best after Amalia

G. Virella | Charleston, SC | 09/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The death of Amalia Rodrigues in 1999 left a void in the Fado scene in Portugal. Many tried to fill that void - Mariza, Misia, Cristina Branco, Mafalda Arnauth among others. Mariza, the most successful, is insufferably affected, her style, totally opposite of the naturalistic delivery of Amalia, a woman with strong working class roots, who raised through the ranks without forgetting where she came from. Misia, Cristina and Mafalda suffer from modernity - they aspire to be something else other than Amalia's heirs. Their success is mixed, particularly because their choice of songs included many less than memorable efforts, often plagues by inane lyrics. Katia seems to have no such insecurity. Although coming from a more sophisticated background, with an MD degree to boot, she delivers her songs with the same ease of Amalia, and she has developed the same good taste in song choice. Her debut record, Fado Maior, is an uneven collection of memorable and not so memorable songs. Tudo ou Nada is a different story. It certainly brings to memory Amalia's masterpice, Com Que Voz. Among the sources of lyrics we find literary figures such Antonio Lobo Antunes and Sophia de Mello Breyner and Music demi-gods such as Jose Carlos Ary dos Santo and Vinicius de Morais. The inclusion of songs in fast tempo also recalls Com Que Voz. An original touch is the song Minha Senhora das Dores, a beautiful ballad in which the typical portuguese guitar and viola are left aside, and Katia is accompanied by Bernardo Sassetti at the piano. It is hard to choose songs in Tudo ou Nada. Its a well balanced album, one that after many repeating hearings never tires and provides always a new detail that adds to the listener's pleasure. One would just hope that Katia Guerreiro continues to sing from her heart, not worrying about Amalia's heritage or with distancing herself from traditional fado. We are ready for more, keep looking for good lyrics, wrap them lovingly with good music, and let us enjoy the result."

Superb fado music and singing

A. Hart | Esher, Surrey UK | 01/09/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had thought that Maritza was the reincarnation of Amalia Rodrigues but now having heard Katia Guerreiro, I am beginning to change my mind.

This is a really lovely cd."

Fado's legacy

Washington L. Do Vieira | Sao Paulo,Brasil | 06/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A great Fado singer.Her powerfull and tender voice enchantingly explores the solitude which's the concept of Fado."