Rodrigues, Virginia – “Sol Negro ” – [Hannibal Records]

Virginia is blessed with a deep hollow voice,
large enough to encompass an amazing range
from joy through sorrow…often within one
long lingering note. Ballads and batucadas
all melt at her command. She captivates me
like David James of the Hilliard Ensemble,
in fact I suspect Arvo Part could write an
amazing requiem for her to sing solo. She
is an earthy angel, gossamer strength…
not so sterile as others might sound.
Reverence and passion co-existing. The
music is hyper-produced and involves a
variety of instrumentation including harp
and the berimbau (such an amazing sound…
like a more lively digeridoo). She was
discovered by Caetano Veloso.
Love this woman.