Mariza Concert

One of my writing duties is exciting. I just found out today that I am going to interview Mariza, who has probably the greatest voice in Portugal. She is going to be in San Francisco on Aug 2nd, and I am interviewing her this week for a story to run Aug 1st. I will post the story here (as well as the reviews I have written about her albums) on August 1. Of all the big name musicians and singers to write about, she has to top the list.

I thought that I was smitten by Cristina Branco's voice until I heard Mariza's Fado em mim. 20 years ago it would have been easier to be the best fadista. The only competition was the elderly and fading legend Amália Rodrigues (yes, that is where we got the name). Well, there were others, but not like today. Now, the field is much more competitive, with great singers like Dulce Pontes, Mariza, Misia, Cristina Branco, Ana Maria Bobone, etc.).

Now if someone could tell me why Madredeus still sells records I would appreciate knowing. Their arrangements are not bad (I don't mind the modern settings with synthesized strings and all that), but there are a lot of singers out there who can sing circles around Teresa. I liked their music in Wim Wender's Lisbon Story, but it was not much more than pleasant atmosphere. If I want to hear fado, I listen to one of the above.