About this Video

• Video Title: Carminho: Tiny Desk Concert
• Channel: NPR Music
• Speakers: Carminho, (Band Members are mentioned but not named individually except for Caetano Veloso)
• Duration: 21:55

Introduction

This video features a Tiny Desk Concert by Portuguese fado singer Carminho. The performance showcases her vocal talent and the traditional Portuguese guitar, highlighting both melancholic and upbeat fado styles, and includes introductions and explanations of the songs' origins and meanings.

Key Takeaways

• Carminho performs a selection of fado songs, demonstrating the genre's range of emotion and musical styles.
• She sings "O Quarto," a song with lyrics she wrote herself, set to music by Alfredo Marceneiro.
• She explains the plasticity of fado, its ability to incorporate new lyrics and personal expression.
• Carminho performs "Marcha de Alcântara," a celebratory song about her Lisbon neighborhood.
• She sings "Os Argonautas," a song featuring Caetano Veloso from her new EP, recorded with Steve Albini.
• She also performs a song she wrote in 2016, describing it as a prayer, and finishes with the traditional fado, "Deixei a Minha Casa."
• Carminho introduces her band members at the end of the concert.

Carminho explains that her latest EP was recorded with Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago. She describes this as a continuation of the work from her album, "Portuguesa," and that it involves exploring the traditional practice of fado, building repertoires, and showing how fado is adaptable, a live language where lyrics can be changed. She also mentions that the EP includes a song featuring Caetano Veloso.