DULCE PONTES
O Primeiro Canto (MCA)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Over the past decade, Dulce Pontes has morphed from a pop diva cranking out rock ballads to a mature singer and composer of music that forms a synthesis of folk, classical and contemporary styles. While she continues to be hailed as the premiere exponent of the Fado style typical of her Portuguese background, O Premeiro Canto delivers solid evidence that there is no style that can thoroughly contain Pontes' talents.

In order to relate her unique blend of sounds and styles, Pontes uses an instrumental montage that draws from a range extending from the Portuguese tradition to Scandinavian bagpipes, Celtic harps, Wayne Shorter's soprano sax and beyond. Without doubt, however, the dominant and most appealing instrument is her own remarkable voice. While I don't speak a word of Portuguese (which bears less resemblance to Spanish than is generally thought), I often find that listening to music sung in an unfamiliar language enhances my appreciation of the voice as a pure instrument, and this album overwhelms me with the purity of the vocal instrument in question.

I'm also impressed by her ability to communicate not only feeling but meaning through pure sound, as a review of the translated lyric so often confirms the images that her singing inspires. A natural for world music aficionados, this album will delight anyone who appreciates great music.

Track List:

Alma Guerreira (Fogo) * Fado-Mae * Tirioni * O Primeiro Canto * O Que for , Ha-De Ser (Ar) * Modinha Das Saias * Garca Perdida * Velha Chica * Ai Solidom * Suite Da Terra * E Tao Grande O Alentejo * Patio Dos Amores * Porto De Magoas * Ondeia (Agua)

© 2002 - Shaun Dale