Amália's younger sister had sweeter and lighter voice - not thunder and lightning as her older sibling,neither she tried to imitate her - and this CD compilation of her mid-1950s recordings turned out to be very pleasurable experience.
For the start, folksy melody "Olha a Mala" is irresistible,lilting tune that gets into your head and invites repeated listening, with just guitar and voice,it is a cutest little thing and floats around like a cloud,really far lighter and perhaps even more charming that anything older sister recorded. We all know Amália and her work,but to be honest she was - with few exceptions - most of the time dead serious,well Celeste has something of silver touch and although most of music here is without a doubt portuguese Fado,to me it sounds like the best of french chansons with simple melodies and waltzy rhythms. It is basically voice and guitar music,with some hand clapping and audible hand-beating on guitar,occasionally we hear accordion and joyous vocal chorus behind her ("Pode Ser Mentira") and live version of pretty "Uma Casa Portuguesa" is a riot,with audience enthusiastically participating,really a blast.
I have actually picked up this CD in a shop not knowing this singer is Amália's younger sister - simply liked what I heard - sometimes it is even better this way,as I really love this music and it's simplicity. Perhaps it's a sacrilege to say so,but I actually enjoy this more than older sister music - if Amália tears your heart, Celeste lifts it up. Sometimes we are in the mood for big drama and serious poetry,but there are days when pretty music is simply pretty music and believe me your heart will sing out together with Celeste Rodrigues.
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