Track Listing

1. Alma Guerreira [Fogo]
2. Fado--mãe
3. Tirioni
4. O Primeiro Canto [Dedicado a José Afonso]
5. O Que for, Há-De Ser [AR]
6. Modinha das Saias [Com Maria João and Gemma Bertagnolli]
7. Garça Perdida
8. Velha Chica [Com Waldemar Bastos]
9. Ai Solidom
10. Suite da Terra
11. É Tão Grande O Alentejo
12. Pátio Dos Amores
13. Porto de Mágoas
14. Ondeia [Água]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #160214 in Music
• Released on: 2000-05-29
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Dimensions: .25 pounds

Album Details
Known as One of the Most Adventurous Singer/ Composer from Portugal. This Album features Wayne Shorter, Trilok Gurtu, and Kepa Junkera Supporting her Vocals with Lush Instrumentals.

Amazon.com
Armed with a tape recorder, Portuguese chanteuse Dulce Pontes wandered her native country collecting sonic inspiration for her fifth and finest recording, O Primeiro Canto. Deeply influenced by fado, contemporary, and traditional folk song, Pontes approached this recording nakedly, distilling its sound to that of strictly acoustic accompaniment, a bold move which allows her superbly crystalline vocals to weave the album's through-line. Far more enamored with passion and tactility rather than technique, Pontes organically creates a holistic emotional posture that is malleable, romantic, and sensually awake, suffering not from lack of finesse. Pontes is in possession of a remarkably facile gift: a voice which rings true with each gorgeously stunning note. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews

Pure Beauty!
This is an extraordinary work! My first Dulce Pontes album was Caminhos and I fell in love with it almost immediately. Most of the people who I've played it for have rushed out and bought it. I have since bought all of the others and am constantly amazed at her ability to interpret music. I know very little Portuguese and, until I found her website, had no idea what she was singing about. But the beauty of her voice and the passion with which she sings overshadow any need for a 'literal translation'. My basic feeling was that Dulce Pontes could do no wrong.

But I was just not prepared for 'O Primiero Canto'! This album really does take her work (and my appreciation for the power of the human voice) to a whole new level. She's one of those singers who will make you believe that she sings every note directly to you. And the acoustic nature of this album enhances that effect even further. As with practically all of her prior work, she pours her heart and soul into this album and one can't help but be drawn in.

For those who might be intimidated by the fact that she's not singing in English, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Dulce Pontes is living proof that music is a universal language. Anyone who's truly a lover of music will love this album and will soon be out buying more of her work. She will enthrall you!

P. S. Those of you who haven't heard 'Brisa Do Coracao' (her live album) MUST drop everything at this very moment and run out and get it (Well? What are you waiting for? Go!!). For one thing, her performance at this concert is stunning, and the fact that it's a live recording further demonstrates her incredible talent. Secondly, the love that pours from the audience gives you chills!

change of direction or fascinating maturity?
A little of both. Ms. Pontes continues to draw her energy from the roots of portuguese folk music and fado. But she experiments, she sets herself higher goals. Swedish bagpipes and a typicall all-male Alentejano choir join Dulce Pontes in one unforgettable version of a traditional song. In "Ondeia" her vocal range is remarkably present - yet she doesn't artificially belch songs out at you. There's soul in there. For the first time she has also composed most of the songs and has brought her pianist's virtuoso to help her along. Africa, Portugal, Scandinavia, The Azores, incursions into almost classical arrangements of folk songs. And the 4 elements as focal point of this album. 3 years was a long gestation, but the new album is definitely her best thus far, and an awe-inspiring glimpse of songs to come. One hopes... No matter what 'your' type of music is, you should check out "O Primeiro Canto". Regardlesss of where you're coming from, I very much doubt that you'll be disappointed.

What power and feeling!
None of the cookie cutter approach to modern music in this CD. Pontes is an innovator in terms of vocal range, rythms, orchestrations. Mostly self written and composed these songs find their roots from folk to fado to neo-classical, all highly melodical they reach the heart as well as the head. Impressive presence and performance at that. One of the leading European solo singers on the rise!