Cesaria Evora
The first time I heard of her was about 9 years ago while spending a summer in Madrid. Some friends had invited me to go with them to one of her concerts. I declined as I had just been to a Youssou N’Dour concert earlier that week and didn’t know this woman from Adam.
Afterwards, they told me of the amazing show she had put on and it made me curious. During a layover on the trip back to the USA, I came across one of her CDs in a shop in an airport in Paris. I decided to pick it up although I still had never heard her sing and really had no idea about the kind of music she sang.
Once back in Phoenix, I popped the CD into the player as I drove home from the airport. Wow! I could have kicked myself for having passed on the opportunity to see her perform live. I still could as I never did get that chance again. Each time she returned to Madrid, I was out of town (usually back in the States for my summer vacation). But I have spent many wonderful hours indulging in the undulating comforts of her enveloping voice. And it really makes me want to learn Portuguese.
If you’re not familiar with her music, treat yourself now.
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