Directory of Fado Resources

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A type of folk music which most likely originated in the 1820's in Portugal, and characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor.

Its roots may include the traditional music of Portuguese sailors, African slave rhythms, and Arabic influences. There may have been some influence from Brazilian traditions like Lundum and Modinha.

Amália Rodrigues (1920-1999) was probably the most important figure in the genre’s development - and was known as the "Queen of Fado". Mariza, Mísia and Ana Moura are perhaps the best known modern exponents.

Subcategories

• Bands and Artists

Resources in This Category

• Alberto Mendes, Manuel Lemos, and Mr. Franks performing Portuguese songs and music from the Azores, 1939

  http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/afccchtml/0009.html
  A collection of recordings of Portuguese songs and music made in 1939 by Sidney Robertson Cowell in Richmond, California; includes descriptive notes and audio samples.

• Chasing the Fado

  http://bolingo.org/audio/texts/fr105fado.html
  An article by an enthusiast for "those Portuguese Blues"; includes discography and resource lists.

• Coimbra Fado

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fado_de_Coimbra
  Wikipedia article describes the style of Fado which developed in the university town of Coimbra.

• Fado

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fado
  From Wikipedia, the history of this Portuguse folk music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics.

• Fado - The People's Soul

  http://paginas.fe.up.pt/~fado/
  The origins of Fado, with photographs, sound samples, and essays on the Portuguese guitar. [bilingual]

• Fado Music

  http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/staticpages/index.php/fado
  World Music Central - article describing the characteristics of Fado.

Related Categories

• Home > Arts > Music > Instruments > Stringed > Cittern > Portuguese Guitar
• Home > Regional > Europe > Portugal > Arts and Entertainment

Other Languages

• Portuguese

 

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