10 Anos nas Asas do Fado

When you think about it, ten years isn’t that long. But it’s been arguably enough time for Kátia Guerreiro to set herself among the top fado singers. We shouldn’t overlook the fact that Guerreiro chose to establish the beginning of her career in the moment she went on stage to pay tribute to Amalia Rodrigues, in October 2000. Her debut album, Fado Maior, would only come out halfway through 2001. She is driven by a truly remarkable classical approach to Lisbon’s favourite song-form. She’s not trying to wow us with her boldness, she’s not trying to break fado free from its strict rules or twist it in a more pop or contemporary fashion. She’s simply singing her heart out. And being pretty damn good at it.

Guerreiro’s fado sounds rather virginal, sung in a crystalline voice, relying on the words written by Portuguese authors from the likes of Antonio Lobo Antunes, Camões or Florbela Espanca. But Guerreiro’s most effective when she deepens the relations between them and works from within an album concept – even if it’s a loose one. In 10 Anos she visits some of her favourite fados, and then adds a little bonus on a second CD filled with unexpected duets. Although it’s pleasant to hear Guerreiro singing with Brazilian Ney Matogrosso, 70s Portuguese diva Simone de Oliveira and Moroccan singer Amina Alaoui, Katia in her fadista role is more preferable.