Presented by World Music/CRASH arts
April 30, 2016 @ 8pm only
Berklee Performance Center
Boston, MA
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Review by Noelani Kamelamela
(Boston, MA) The last time Ana Moura was hosted by World Music/CRASH arts in 2014, she brought the house to its feet in a celebration of her latest release at the time Desfado. This show was excellent in a different way. Certainly, her latest album Moura has been touring since last year and those performances were condensed for her concert at the Berklee Performance Center this past Saturday. Featuring a great backing band, Ana Moura dazzled the typically stoic New England audience to the point of stupefication for two hours.
Ana was resplendent in two luxurious and shimmering beaded gowns, one white and white black, with matching stilettos for each outfit. Lighting in the space enhanced her moving performance as well as each band member stationary at their instruments. An easy type of motion suffused her while singing or not singing. Her hands drew out emotions and imagery from her lyrics and she never stayed fully still.
Along with her incidental movements, which enchanted the audience, she reminded people who may or may not have known that fado, the Portuguese word for fate and also known as a music genre which her music is part of, had dance as a part of the older 19th century tradition. Some things, even though lost, can often be recreated, or at least reimagined on new stages. Typically, Ana Moura has played to much bigger spaces of late, and certainly the audio in the space remained fairly loud the entire time.
The portuguese guitar player, Ângelo Freire, and Ana performed “Maldição” (“Cursed”) as a fascinating duet. Freire’s impressive abilities allowed Ana’s talents to shine even brighter. Additionally, each member of the band was given a chance to solo during the show. Whether singing or outright dancing, Ana Moura gave a confident and polished performance.
World Music/CRASH arts is celebrating its 25th year of presenting global music and dance here in Boston. Next up they are presenting Juan De marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars on Sunday May 8th at 8pm at the Berklee Performance Center.
