Young fado singers from Portugal

Fado History

Fado (translated as destiny or fate) is a music genre which can be traced from the 1820s in Portugal but probably with much earlier origins. It is characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics often about the sea or the life of the poor people.

The music is usually linked to the Portuguese word saudade, a word describing a sentiment that is commonly considered to have no accurate translation in any other language. A similar but not accurate English translation might be to pine for something.

Some enthusiasts claim that Fado's origins are a mixture of African slave rhythms with the traditional music of Portuguese sailors and Arabic influence.

See all 11 photos

Cristina Branco

Mainstream fado performances during the 20th century included only a singer, a Portuguese guitar player and a classical guitar player but more recent settings range from singer and string quartet to full orchestra.

The fado is undoubtedly Portugal's most famous music. It is also a most rewarding experience which amply repays any effort that may be entailed in its initial appreciation.

The first great fado singer (fadista) who survived in collective memory is Maria Severa Onofriana, who lived in the first half of the 19th century. Recorded fado, however, did not appear until the next century. In the 1920s and 1930s.

Guitarists Carlos Paredes and his father Artur Paredes were the masters and the great pioneers of this genre and of the Portuguese guitar.

Cantiga de Maio - Song of May

The late great Portuguese guitarist Carlos Paredes here joined by guitarists Manuel Paulo and Fernando Alvim and singers Nuno Guerreiro and Natalia Casanova in this haunting rendition of Cantiga de Maio, Song of May.

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	Great Voices of Fado Various artists - audio CD Amazon Price: $13.98
	Fado: Exquisite Passion This compilation features some of the best fadistas in the business, from the late, great Amalia Rodrigues to newcomers like Cristina Branco. Amazon Price: $9.11 List Price: $16.98
	Queen of the Fado Exclusive Dutch budget album. Amazon Price: $11.98
	Fado Portugues: Songs From the Soul of Portugal (With Audio CD) (Music Sales America) Fully illustrated throughout with background notes for each song. Includes a CD containing recordings of every song in the book performed by the original artists. Amazon Price: $23.00 List Price: $36.95

Fado Nowadays

Portuguese younger generation respects fado but is not dedicated to it.

Contemporary fado artists like Misia have introduced the music to performers such as Sting. Misia and fadistas like Cristina Branco and Mariza walk the fine line between carrying on the tradition and trying to bring in a new audience.

Dulce Pontes, Mafalda Arnauth and Katia Guerreiro are other sonant artists that keep Fado alive, and brought with them a new look to the traditional song, occasionally reviving 19th century fado. The youngest world-traveling fadista of today and a top "New Generation of Fado" singer is Joana Amendoeira.

Aldina Duarte

Ana Moura

Carminho

Carminho (photo by Isabel Pinto @ carminho.net)

Cristina Branco

Dulce Pontes

Joana Amendoeira

Katia Guerreiro

Mafalda Arnouth

Mariza

Misia

Links to the "New Generation" Fado Artists` websites

Aldina Duarte

Ana Moura

Carminho

Cristina Branco

Dulce Pontes

Joana Amendoeira

Katia Guerreiro

Mafalda Arnauth

Mariza

Misia

Fado on Amazon

	Fado Tradicional Amazon Price: $9.20 List Price: $15.98
	The Queen of Fado Amazon Price: $5.99
	Fado: Exquisite Passion Amazon Price: $9.11 List Price: $16.98
	Leva-me aos fados Amazon Price: $13.43 List Price: $18.98
	Art of the Portuguese Fado Guitar Amazon Price: $8.08 List Price: $14.99

FADO

Fado cannot be explained, it must be felt and experienced. Once audiences are very knowledgeable and very demanding and the "fadista" must have the soul to transmit that feeling.

Ana Moura

More informations about Fado

PORTUGUESE "GODDESSES" & "GODS"
Portugal has been known for decades as the country of the Fado singer Amália Rodrigues and the football player Eusébio. Right now Portugal has two new outstanding ambassadors: Mariza and Cristiano Ronaldo.

More about Portuguese Music

PORTUGUESE MUSIC by frogdropping

Living in Portugal means I'm exposed to Portuguese singers/songwriters/groups. Being Brtitish by birth means I was raised on a smorgasbord of different music ... and developed a very broad taste.

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Andrea White 4 years ago

Nice blog I love fado music especially Mariza!

Princessa Level 3 Commenter 4 years ago

This was my first Fado experience... I liked it! Thank you.

funride Hub Author 4 years ago

Thank you Andrea I also enjoy listen Mariza very much!

Princessa, I´m so glad to have introduce you to fado! You can also read http://hubpages.com/hub/GODDESS--GODS to see how important is fado to portuguese culture.

I´ll try to make more hubs about fado.

Princessa Level 3 Commenter 4 years ago

What happen with http://hubpages.com/hub/GODDESS--GODS to ...?? I tried to have a look and it comes with a message that it doesn't exist!!

Princessa Level 3 Commenter 4 years ago

Ups... sorry; its ok I found it. The link didn't work on my PC but I found it on your list http://hubpages.com/hub/GODDESS--GODS to ...

funride Hub Author 4 years ago

You´re right, the link must be wrong. Sorry.

funride Hub Author 4 years ago

By suggestion of Inspirepub (thanks Jenny) the link is now on the bottom of this hub ;)

Hope you all enjoy them.

solarshingles 4 years ago

I love the music and first video! And those beautiful girls, too!

p.s.

Change the second video, please...there is any, there

funride Hub Author 4 years ago

Thank you for the heads-up ;) I already post another video from Ana Moura. I hope you like it.

robie2 Level 6 Commenter 4 years ago

How did I miss this one, Funride? It's terrific. I love it.

funride Hub Author 4 years ago

Thanks Robie, I´m glad you liked it.

Ahmed Lachhab 3 years ago

A note about Fado Music:

Fado took and had its origin from a strong influence of Arabs music (Moorish) back in Andalusia and part of Portugal. A similar way of singing still exist in Morocco, as most of Moorish migrate (or escaped) to morocco (and south America) after they were hunted in Spain

Or perhaps, I should not say that

funride Hub Author 3 years ago

Hi Ahmed, thank you for commenting. I must admit your comment seams somehow strange to me (at least the first part LOL).

As to your note I couldn´t agree more and if you read the hub you´ll find that I have said that Fado: "can be traced from the 1820s in Portugal but probably with much earlier origins." and that: "Fado's origins are a mixture of African slave rhythms with the traditional music of Portuguese sailors and Arabic influence."

So, I do not understand why you shouldn´t say that ;)

Ralph Deeds Level 6 Commenter 3 years ago

Very nice Hub on one of my favorite music genres.

funride Hub Author 3 years ago

Hey Ralph, thanks. So nice to see you again, it`s always a pleasure to have you commenting in one of my hubs ;)

When I was a kid I didn´t liked it but since 5 or 6 years ago I started to enjoy listening to fado. I believe this new generation has made it easy to listen (nowadays even kids enjoy listen to it).

Cheryl 3 years ago

Thanks for introducing me to Fado music. I enjoy it very much. It is very soulful, which I love.

mulberry1 Level 1 Commenter 3 years ago

This isn't a type of music I've heard before, I liked it very much though. Thanks for the introduction!

Tony 3 years ago

I haven't heard of this before. The Cantiga de Maio is beautiful. I love the guitar sounds. The song remings me somewhat of Cesara Evoria (spelling? from the Cape Verde Islands).

Maria 3 years ago

Very interesting hub. Perhaps you could add some Fado Houses for those that would like to hear fado if they go to Lisbon.

debnet 3 years ago

That takes me right back to sitting at a table outside a small bar, in a side street, in a small Portugese village... drink in hand, eyes closed, feeling the sun on my skin, smelling the aroma of sardines on a grill and hearing this kind of music... magical ;)

ethel smith Level 3 Commenter 2 years ago

Enjoyed listening to Fado in Madeira. Nice Hub

martina 2 years ago

the singers from porugalia are beauti and talentet.

Micky Dee Level 4 Commenter 2 years ago

Very nice Bro! It's very sweet. I never use that expression. Perhaps it was the singers that provoked it. Nice

funride Hub Author 2 years ago

I´m glad you liked it. BTW, thanks for stopping by and comment on my hubs, much appreciated :)

Ralph Deeds Level 6 Commenter 24 months ago

Great music. I'll come back to listen to it all. I really like Fado.

funride Hub Author 24 months ago

I thought you would like it when I left you this link :)

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