I fell in love with Fado the first time I heard Mariza sing on a collection of folk music. This album "Exquisite Passion" is really wonderful.

It features new Fadistas like Cristina Branco and Mariza and the greatest Fadista of all time, Amalia Rodrigues. The only problem is that the opening cuts are all fantastic, but when you get to the fourth track by Rodrigues, it is SO good, that it throws the newcomers in a bit of a shadow. I realize the dilemma they had when compiling this cd: use a mediocre track of Rodrigues and have people say "Why does she have such a reputation?" or go with this one, which will wring tears from your eyes even if you don't know a word of Portuguese.

Be that as it may, all the fadistas on this album are marvelous singers, the guitar backup is beautiful and if you never heard fado before, then by all means give this a try.

I am enjoying this CD tremendously as it takes me back to my childhood when my father used to contract fado singers to special functions at his restaurant/club in Portugal. Fado is art as not every singer can sing it. It takes a special voice and you must feel passion for what or whom you are singing about to be able to project it to the audience, so they can feel it too. If you have been to the Portugal, especially continental Portugal where Fado originated, and got to know the portuguese people, you will understand the Fado a little better.

This is a very good CD with different Fado singing styles. It is more enjoyable when listened to in the quite of the evening.

Fado is not a song of despair, pessimism and solitude. Fado is a song of hope, of personal challenges and nostalgia, or as we say...Saudades. Unfortunately, we can't translate this word in English to capture all the meaning of it, so I would advise you to listen to the best voices of the Old and New Fado.

Here, the songs are exquisite and passionate, as advertised. The CD itself, however, is not very adventurous.

First, there are just 4 fadistas featured in the 13 selections. Among those left out, in no particular order, just among modern singers: Dulce Pontes, Joana Amendoeira, Margarida Guerreiro, Anabela, Ana Sofia Varela, Ana Lains, Misia, Katia Guerreiro, etc. The list of intriguing, admirable artists from Portugal goes on and on.

Second -- this is strictly a personal opinion -- often the songs do not represent the best that these singers have to offer.

You won't go very wrong with "Exquisite Passion," but if you're at all familiar with fado, you've probably heard most of the songs on this collection. If you're a newcomer, I think I'd shop around a while before choosing this CD to start out with.