BBC - Radio 3 - Womad2005 -Carmen Souza

CARMEN SOUZA
(CAPE VERDE)

Read an interview with Carmen

See pictures from her WOMAD performance

Like Ireland, the Cape Verde Islands off the west coast of Africa have turned the sorrows and nostalgia of emigration and separation into a musical art form. The young Cape Verdean singer Carmen Souza has certainly experienced the kind of separation that is emotions at the heart of Cape Verdean music.

Her father worked the cargo ships and was absent from home for months on end during her youth. But when he returned he would regale little Carmen with songs on his guitar. She started singing in church at the age of 14 and later joined the only professional Lusophone Afro-Gospel choir. Recently Souza worked with composer and producer Theo Pas'cal to record her debut album Ess Ê Nha Cabo Verde which is a fine showcase of her unique take on the Creole traditions of Cape Verde.

At this year's WOMAD, Souza will give a rootsy acoustic presentation of her songs with the help of Theo Pas'cal, guitarist Danilo Silva and percussionist Mick Trovoada who hails from San Tomé. This is the music of longing buoyed up on a gentle swell of guitars, rhythm and voice.

Andy Morgan

Catch Carmen on Sunday midday-12.45pm, World On Your Street Tent

Read other people's comments then

Tell us what you think:

Great news! Carmen is on tour in the UK in June. For more information and to buy her album, visit www.capeverdeinlondon.co.uk
Michael Mills

A celebration! Inspiring! Uplifting! Calming!I first heard Carmen Souza at Womad and felt the warmth and strengh in her voice. It was a wonderful and peaceful experience-one which i was determined to repeat. The cd is excellent. My favourite single is 'Sadness of Life', though i also like 'Sea in my Heart', 'Cape Verde' (my land), 'If I Could Speak' ... I really can't find fault with the album and I look forward to listening to Carmen in concert again. A big thank you to Carmen, Theo Pascal ... and to Patricia for her prompt and friendly service in replying to my mail and sending me the cds (yes i ordered more than one). Good luck
Angela Manchester

There u go: a star is born! I haven't been to this concert but I attended one before and u can actually tell this girl will have a lot to say in what music is concerned. Plus, the artists she's surrounded by, enhance all the richness she still has to deliver. Keep up... delivering ;-D
Catia Ribeiro - Portugal

Hi i'm Carmen Souza manager and i wanted to thank you all for the excelent support at Womad....we hope to have Carmen's Cd available soon at uk but meanwhile if you like to buy the Cd please send me an email - patriciapascal@theoothezz.com...i can send it to you at a lower price...more info on Carmen at www.theoothezz.com
Patrícia Pas'cal

I heard Carmen Souza on local radio last week and thought she was absolutely amazing. Will endeavour to purchase CD very soon.
Lynne Allard - Worthing - England

The concert was amazing realy simple but realy rich at the same time....it gave me such a peace...i was looking forward to buy the record but it sold out realy fast in the Womad Shop...i hope to see the show again in a bigger stage...thanks for the moment Carmen
Tom-London

Caught this at WOMAD and it was really immediate and beautiful music, poignant and uplifting at the same time
Hannah - London

I just have to say that this work of Carmen, produced by Theo Pascal its just amazing, profund, beutifull and snapshoting reality of african people. I've just heard this work in first hand, and I promise that is worth listen it. The musicians that worked with Carmen are also amazing, choosed by their profund way of feeling music and also with the finest voice of Carmen Souza.
Ricardo Alves - Portugal