A companion piece to 1998's ART OF AMALIA RODRIGUES, this 2005 compilation presents another 18 classic tracks by Portugal's revered Queen of Fado. Typically accompanied by acoustic guitar and mandolin, Rodrigues mesmerizes listeners with her intensely emotional voice, which perfectly embodies the melancholy Portuguese term "saudade."
As on the earlier disc, THE ART OF AMALIA RODRIGUES II draws primarily from Rodrigues's most prolific period in the 1950s and '60s, when she not only recorded many albums but also starred in a number of Portuguese films. Among the highlights of this set are the spare and often forlorn tunes "Madrugada de Alfama," "Fria Claridade," "Grao de Arroz," and "Fadinho Serrano," which all feature Rodrigues's powerfully expressive vocals hovering high above a chiming bed of strings. Although there are various Rodrigues collections on the market, this disc, combined with its predecessor, makes for a well-selected overview of the beloved vocalist's finest material.