Distino Di Belita

Performer: Césaria Évora
Engineer: Gerard Weiss; Gerard Weill; Bruno Quinquet; Gérard Weiss; Ruis Novais; Bruno
Producer: Ramiro Mendes; Jose Da Silva; Luis Morais; Paulino Vieira
Distributor: BMG (distributor)

Notes: Personnel: C�saria �vora (vocals); Edith Lefel, Marie-Celine Chrone, M.C. Crone (vocals); Louis Morais (guitar, cavaquinho, clarinet, saxophone); Ramiro Mendes (guitar, cavaquinho, keyboards, bass guitar, drums, percussion); Armando Tito, Joao Motta (guitar); Toy Vieira (cavaquinho); Martinez (trumpet); Chico Serra, Paulino Vieira (piano); Manu Lima (keyboards, claves); Philip Guez (keyboards); Denis Hekimian (drums, percussion). Liner Note Author: Avner Perez. Recording information: Angels, Lisbonne; Music Ange, Paris, France. Photographer: Alain Pramil. Arrangers: Ramiro Mendes; Louis Morais; Paulino Vieira. This might just be appearing in the U.S., but don't be fooled into thinking it's a new album from the diva of Cape Verde. Instead, it dates from 1974, C�saria �vora's first musical period (a year later, she quit music for a decade). The elements of her future style are there, with the sweet sadness of the morna. But it's largely unformed -- the maturity that makes her later work so compelling hasn't arrived yet. There's also an attempt to give a sheen to the sound that simply doesn't suit her voice, to make it more European than it really is -- and even then, more Paris than the soulful fado of Lisbon's back streets. Still, it's impossible to deny what she brings to songs like the title cut and "Pontero," although the piano bar version of "Nova Sintra" should probably be avoided like the proverbial plague. When an artist becomes successful, their more youthful work is often dragged out. But with "Evora," it's not to her embarrassment; in 1974 she wasn't the grand artist she'd become, but she wasn't at all bad. More than just for completists, this offers an excellent snapshot for all who are interested in hearing the roots of her sound. ~ Chris Nickson

Cape Verdean songstress Cesaria Evora is a bit of a musical late bloomer; she released her first album of morna music (a combination of West African and Brazilian styles) in 1992 at age 47 and, four years later, became an international sensation. Her vocals have drawn comparisons to Edith Piaf and Billie Holiday, while her down-to-earth "Barefoot Diva" personality has won her respect the world over. From 1995 to 2003, Evora recorded numerous albums, including the acclaimed CAF� ATLANTICO and SAO VICENTE, and she shows no signs of slowing down.

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