Fado is the sad, slow music of Portugal, whose achingly beautiful songs overflow with the anguish of love, supplication and desire. Like American blues, fado holds out the promise of transcending love's pain, and like flamenco ballads, it offers a joyousness that eases the suffering. The most recent star of fado, Katia Guerreiro, comes to Japan next week.
The best fado singers, like the famed Amalia Rodrigues, know how to sing to the soul, engaging despair with realism and strength. Guerreiro clearly takes her cues from Rodrigues, known as the "voice of Portugal." Rodrigues was so popular that after her death in 1999, the Portuguese president declared three days of national mourning.
On her most recent release, "Nas Maos Do Fado," Guerreiro performs several of Rodrigues' tunes and offers one of her own. Backed only by classical guitar, contrabass and the taut, balalaika-like Portuguese guitar, her voice moves naturally from voluptuousness to tenderness. Like Rodrigues, Guerreiro has an unaffected directness that amplifies both the frailty and force of her passions. The melodies spiral through long, intricate lines before landing, decisive and unhurried, on the right ending note.
Most interesting, though, are the many lyrics written for her by Portuguese novelist Antonio Lobo Antunes. His lyrics rise above the traditional themes of unrequited love toward an existential wisdom. That Guerreiro's voice fits so well the words of this quite postmodern writer is further evidence that fado will continue to appeal to a new generation. Her tour through Japan will be a rare chance to hear this wonderful singer of heartache. Bring your handkerchief.
