BLOGCRITICS MAGAZINE REVIEW of RAMANA VIEIRA CD "Lagrimas De Rainha (Tears Of A Queen)"

Written by Kit O'Toole
FROM BLOGCRITICS MAGAZINE

Published March 23, 2009

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2009/03/23/0707452.php

Listening to Ramana Vieira’s album Lágrimas De Rainha (Tears of A Queen) provides an instant education in fado, a form of Portuguese folk music. Perhaps Vieira summarizes it best on “Amália,” a tribute to the late “Rainha do Fado,” or “Queen of Fado,” Amália Rodrigues. “We longed to hide in all your sorrows/This is life, this is love/This is fado,” Vieira croons.

Put simply, fado evokes intense emotion, namely heartache, disappointment, and melancholy. According to Fado.com’s history of the genre, “fado performance is not successful if an audience is not moved to tears.” Fado’s origins date from the 19th century, possibly from an African dance. In the 20th century Lisbon’s working class adopted the music, chiefly as a tool for expressing their frustrations and sadness. Singers called fadistas performed the songs in brothels, saloons, street corners, and in poor Lisbon areas. In order to communicate feelings of heartbreak, singers crooned over a Portugese guitar and one classical guitar; current fado incorporates other instruments such as piano, violin, and accordion (see World Music Central’s excellent history of fado).

As Vieira emphasizes on her album, the undisputed fado legend is Rodrigues; from the 1940s until her 1999 death, her name became synonymous with the music. According to World Music Central, Portugal’s prime minister called for a three-day period of mourning after Rodrigues’s death. This event demonstrates the music’s importance in the country.

Vieira continues Rodrigues’s legacy by introducing wider audiences to fado. “United in Love,” which she composed and performed at the 2006 Winter Olympics, best exemplifies her attempt to appeal to a modern audience. Piano and soaring electric guitar accompany her English language lyrics. The aforementioned tribute to Rodrigues, “Amália,” is sung primarily in English. A standout track, Vieira pours her soul into the words, letting listeners experience the depth of her admiration for the legendary singer.

Other highlights include “Coimbra,” a lovely 1939 song (and Rodrigues standard) made more accessible through heightened percussion and cello. “Fado Marujo (Fado of the Sailor)” features intricate classic guitar picking and swaying beat that contrast with the lyrics’s sadness. “Povo Que Lavas No Rio (People That Wash in the River)” also speeds the tempo of the original ballad, but Vieira’s mournful voice retains the song’s melancholy. The Spanish guitar dominates, with Jeffrey Luiz’s rapid strumming and picking astounding the listener.

Fans of world music should enjoy “Maria Lisboa,” with a beat and guitar work reminiscent of the Buena Vista Social Club. An original tune, “My Country Portugal,” provides a rest from the album’s sad tone. Sung in English, the song celebrates Portuguese culture, particularly from Vieira’s Portuguese-American perspective. The samba beat, along with Vieira’s joyful vocals, invite audiences to dance.

The remaining ballads represent more traditional fado; according to Tears of A Queen’s liner notes, the album gets its title from a Portuguese Romeo and Juliet-type story. In 1355, a maid and her employer, the son of the king of Portugal, fell in love. Their love was forbidden, leading to the maid’s execution by public stoning. The son never recovered from her death, even after ascending to the throne. The tale inspires various star-crossed fado songs, including the album’s title cut and “Lágrimas Caladas (Silent Tears),” another original composition. The bottom line: fado fans should enjoy the melodramatic tone of these tracks.

For those unfamiliar with fado, Tears of A Queen provides an interesting lesson in Portuguese culture. Vieira obviously remains committed to the musical form and wishes to update it for modern listeners. Traditional fado fans may not appreciate the introduction of electric guitar and bass, but Vieira never neglects the genre’s origins. To visit Portugal without leaving home, pick up Vieira’s new album and be transported.

“THE NEW VOICE OF PORTUGUESE WORLD MUSIC,” RAMANA VIEIRA, CD RELEASE EVENT

“LÁGRIMAS DE RAINHA (Tears Of A Queen)”









At the142 Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley, CA

(Mill Valley, CA, March 17, 2009) Called “a rising star in World Music” by the San Francisco Examiner, vocalist Ramana Vieira will bring her unique style of Fado music to the 142 Throckmorton Theatre on Saturday, April 18th at 8:00 PM to celebrate the release of her new CD “Lágrimas De Rainha (Tears Of A Queen)” on the Pacific Coast Jazz label. Ramana Vieira has solidified her place as one of the premier world music artists who understands the tradition of
Portuguese Fado singing, a melancholy and often-mournful music similar to the American blues, yet continues to creatively construct a path into the future by combining new musical textures and original compositions. Ramana will be accompanied by her amazing ensemble of musicians that include: Marcie Brown (cello), Alberto Ramirez (bass guitar),Jeffrey Luiz (classical guitar), Stephen La Porta (drums/percussion), and special guest musicians Benito Cortez (violin) and Didier Bouvet (guitar).

On the new CD, “Lágrimas De Rainha”, Ramana paints sonic pictures that support her desire to invent a fresh Fado sound blooming from the ground of her own Portuguese family roots. Many of the songs on the recording are inspired by Ramana’s main influence, Amália Rodrigues, known as the "Rainha do Fado" ("Queen of Fado") and who is attributed to popularizing the Fado worldwide. According to Ramana, “nobody else is doing what we are doing with Fado. Take the feel and groove of Shakira and the melodic textures of Dulce Pontes and that is how I would describe our music.”

The 142 Throckmorton Theatre, located at 142 Throckmorton Ave. in Mill Valley, CA, is founded on the philosophy that theatre, music, dance, film, poetry, visual and related arts are essential components of a rich and rewarding life, and an indispensable part of human inspiration and education. Tickets are $25.00 general admission/$35.00 for reserved seating and can be purchased by calling (415) 383-9600 or online at http://www.142throckmortontheatre.com/tickets.php.

For more about Ramana Vieira visit: http://www.RamanaVieira.net or http://www.PacificCoastJazz.com.

GALLO CENTER FOR THE ARTS PRESENTS PORTUGUESE FADO SENSATION, RAMANA VIEIRA

“THE NEW VOICE OF PORTUGUESE WORLD MUSIC,”
RAMANA VIEIRA, AT THE GALLO CENTER FOR THE ARTS
In An Evening Of Portuguese World Music

Modesto, CA, January 22, 2009: Called “a rising star in World Music” by the San Francisco Examiner, vocalist Ramana Vieira will bring her powerful and unique blend of Fado music to the Gallo Center for the Arts on Friday, February 13, 2009 at 8:00 PM with tickets ranging from $25 to $45. Ramana Vieira has solidified her place as one of the premier world music artists who understands the tradition of Portuguese Fado singing and continues to creatively construct a path into the future by combining new musical textures and original compositions along with her amazing ensemble of musicians that include: Marcie Brown (cello), Alberto Ramirez (bass guitar), Jeffrey Luiz (classical guitar), Steve La Porta (drums/percussion), Benito Cortez (violin) and other special guests.

This performance premieres the excitement for the soon to be released CD, “Lágrimas De Rainha (Tears Of A Queen)” on the Pacific Coast Jazz label. The emotional concept of “Lágrimas De Rainha” paints sonic pictures that support Ramana’s desire to invent a fresh Fado sound blooming from the ground of her own family roots. Ms. Vieira will give a sneak preview of these songs in the outstanding community venue, The Gallo Center for the Arts, known for setting a new standard for all the arts, education, and entertainment for the entire Central California region by producing shows of the highest quality and diversity.

The Gallo Center for the Arts is located at 1000 I Street in Modesto, CA or go to their website at:
http://www.galloarts.org/Events or call: 1-877-488-3380 to reserve tickets. For more about Ramana Vieira visit: http://www.RamanaVieira.net or http://www.PacificCoastJazz.com.

THE NEW VOICE OF PORTUGUESE WORLD MUSIC: RAMANA VIEIRA

Ramana Vieira Joins Pacific Coast Jazz Label;
“Lágrimas De Rainha (Tears of a Queen)” slated for March 24


San Diego, CA – January 5, 2009 - San Diego-based independent record label, Pacific Coast Jazz (PCJ), announces the signing of Bay Area-based Portuguese Fado singer, Ramana Vieira. The agreement anticipates the release of their new CD, “Lágrimas De Rainha (Tears Of A Queen),” slated for a street date of March 24, 2009.

“We’ve been looking for a top quality world artist for our label for quite some time,” says Donna Nichols, founder and president of Pacific Coast Jazz. “Ramana has solidified her place as an artist who understands the tradition of Fado singing and continues to creatively construct a path into the future by combining new musical textures and original compositions.” Nichols’ label has teamed up with the publicity team of SV Media Relations and radio promoter Neal Sapper at New World N’Jazz for access to international media buying and radio promotion.

Ramana’s rich, musical artistry combined with her unconventional original style have transported audiences throughout the world with highlights that include: opening for Grammy nominated fadista Mariza; performing her original song “Unido Para Amar” for the 2006 Winter Olympics video montage; making her international debut with RPT TV Portuguese network; and chosen to sing for the Grammy’s 50th Awards special Music Cares benefit to honor Aretha Franklin. Ramana’s first appearance of the New Year will be on January 14th, at the state-of-the-art performing arts venue, Monterey Live located at 414 Alvarado Street in Monterey, California. Concert begins at 8:00 pm and tickets can be purchased by calling 877-548-3237.

Pacific Coast Jazz, founded in 2003, is a boutique jazz label that also offers artist management services. All PCJ artists are distributed worldwide by MVD Audio/Big Daddy Music. For information on Pacific Coast Jazz, visit: www.pacificcoastjazz.com. For more information and interviews with Ramana Vieira, visit www.ramanavieira.net or contact SV Media Relations at SVMediaRelations@gmail.com.