Fado

On By ResaIn Garage Doors, Music Stars

Portuguese Blues

That was how Fado was described to me by a musician. Yet, looking into it, it is that and so much more. It is a proud history of folk song.

The stencil art on this garage door features 2 of the greatest Fado singers, Amalia Rodriguez and Mariza.

Amalia Rodriguez

1920- – 1999

She is the Queen of Fado – Rainha do Fado. To this day she remains the best-selling Portuguese artist in the history of recorded music.

Link to more info about Amalia

In 2021 I found a stunning mural of Amalia.

The Queen of Fado

Mariza

1973 – Present

Internationally beloved icon, Mozambique-born Portuguese singer Mariza has become the currently reigning Rainha do Fado.

Visit Mariza’s official website.

I adore both of the songs, by these Rainhas!!

Pics taken by Resa – April 30, 2025

Toronto, Canada

Stencil Art by:

134 thoughts on “Fado”

  1. Excellent find, Resa. I’ve heard fado twice. Interestingly, different styles in different regions. The traditional is more what you described with the female singers. Coimbra is a major university city between Lisbon and Porto. Their style is with male singers. Even without knowing the language, I found them moving.

    2. Thank you Frank!
      I don’t know the language either, but the feel and the way the words roll with and off the music is alluring, and moving.

  2. Such beautiful music! I enjoyed both of these songs. I wish I understood Portuguese. I connect fado with the word saudade.

    Coincidentally, we just finished watching a Portuguese drama, The Spy. It had nothing to do with fado though. 😊 It was about spies/double agents/intrigue in WWII era Portugal.

    1. I enjoyed both songs, too! It’s a very sensual music. Yes, saudade. (a word I learned from your poetry)

      That sounds like an interesting film. One doesn’t hear much, or at least I haven’t, about what happened in Portugal during WWII. Was it a good film? Did you learn lots?

      1. It is sensual.

        It was a series, not a film. I’ve actually read a couple of novels set or involving Lisbon at this time because Portugal was officially neutral, but ruled by a fascist dictator. So there were Axis and Allied spies, refugees, etc. The series was interesting. My husband and I both got caught up in it, but we were both often confused by who was who and the factions.

        1. I did not know Portugal was neutral.
          How fascinating, especially seeing as how it was dictatorially ruled.

          Okay, a series. That you got confused also sounds intriguing, if it was because it was a complex tale. Or was it faulty production?

          1. I think they were trying to get the best deals from both sides.

            I was confused because I got some of the characters mixed up–some of them looked alike to me–and it was complex because I didn’t understand about the various factions. But there are some fun twists!

            1. It sounds good!
              Casting is an interesting thing.
              Last week we were watching a movie. I said to Norm, I’m getting confused because all the women they cast look very similar.
              He said YES, me too!
              Sigh!

  3. Wow, Resa! What an interesting artwork Amalia Rodriguez and Mariza sound like amazing Fado singers, although I have to confess that I’m unfamiliar with this type of music. Having listened to and watched Mariza’s video here, I’m definitely a convert to Fado! The striking red, black and while colours in the mural really bring out the singers’ passion and vocation. Thanks for sharing! 💜🎶🕊️🌸

    1. They are fabulous singers. I knew nothing about Fado until I found the mural of Amalia 4 years ago. Finding this painting has reminded me about this music style. I just love it!

      Now that you mention it, I agree Ada, the red and black do bring out a feel of passion.

      Thank you so much for taking the time to check out this post and leave this fab comment!

      💙🌟❦🌹

  5. When I see your cities artwork, that you capture beautifully, I always wonder if Toronto has less crime than it did say 40 years ago, or is it like any other place with pockets(neighborhoods) riddled with crime.

    1. Thank you, Eunice!

      It feels safe here, to me. I found this statistic online, over several sources.

      “In 2024, a ranking of 60 large cities by The Economist ranked Toronto as the 6th safest major city in the world, and the safest major city in North America. “

      Unfortunately, we have some of the worst/slowest traffic in the world. We were third worst, now we may have dropped to 9th.

      Haha! maybe that’s why we paint so much outdoor art, something to look at while idling in traffic. xx

      1. I bet you are right!!!!! 🙂 Pretty things bring down tempers lol

        Good to know Toronto is much better than it was in 1980 as far as it’s reputation then again Boston was not better.

        1. I think crime in big cities is unavoidable. Still, we need to do better, our best, to make them wonderful places to live.
          Right now, Toronto is pretty great.

          So, you live close to Boston? I hear the art galleries there are second to none.

    1. Thank you, Dan!

      I learned about Fado music through street art I found. Art informs.

      I do like the music a lot, and the voices are wonderful. You have a fab weekend too!

        1. Thank you dear Maggie!
          I just read your interview on poet of the month. YAY!
          You are fabulous.
          Congratulations!
          I did leave a comment on Spillwords! 🌟🌹💕

                  1. Hi Resa
                    Aww thank you for the comment on my interview.
                    It just came through.
                    (Iwas reading the one you left on Holy Communion)
                    I am so happy to have connected with you here.
                    I have a Q&A being published at Spillwords on the 18th which goes a little deeper
                    Much love to you and thanks so much again 😘❤️😘

    1. How fabulous that you have seen Mariza! I was unaware of her until I watched some of her videos. She is fantastic, a world class performer.
      I love the song too!
      Thanks Jo! xxxx

      1. We went to a free concert here in Tavira a couple of years ago and I’ve followed her ever since. Such an emotional performer and she really reaches out to her audience xx

  11. I know very little about Fado. I know I’ve heard it, but… Listening to Amalia now and will listen to Mariza when it is done.. Anyway, great work of Stencil Art.

    1. Thanks Trent!

      Stencil art is interesting to me. This person/artist does a lot of stencil art around the city.

      I like both of the songs. Of course Amalia’s recording is older, pretty good though.

      Mariza’s is newer, with better recording technique and a video. I love the gold gown on the black reflection. She sounds beautiful.

      1. I really liked Mariza’s music, but in ways it sounded too close to a lot of rock/pop out there. It still has it’s own flavor, but not as distinct as Amalia.

    1. Wonderful!
      Violet, if it wasn’t for street art, I might not have ever known of Fado.
      I don’t know what the are saying, either, but it feels amazing, like you say soul searching. I will add soul fetching.
      Thank you!

  13. Great post!

    I will watch the videos on YouTube Jetpack is not allowing the links to open. But I’ll search their names and listen independently. A new fan of blues so I’m curious. 🙂

  14. Beautiful find, Sorceress. I have only recently come to know Fado and I have to say, it is such a beautiful genre of music. I love it and it gives me that extra nudge to go to Portugal! Beautiful songs, both.

    1. Agree, Thunder, the Fado music rich…beautiful. I adore both of these songs.
      Portugal would be a wonderful trip. Are you going?
      xoxoxoxoxoxo

  16. Unfortunately, I can’t listen right now, lest I risk wrath of those sitting nearby, although perhaps they would love it too. I was in Portugal in the mid-70”s for a brief time and was very impressed by it. I’d love to go back someday.

    1. Ahh, yes, Portugal sounds intriguing. I know very little about it.
      It always seems overshadowed by Spain, but I know it is its own country ad culture.
      Thank you, Janet!

    1. I learned about Fado from finding street art.
      It is beautiful, alluring and poignant feeling.
      Yes, it must be an artist created stencil.
      I actually found a pic of Amalia on line that he used. It is identical. 🎼❦

  18. Timothy Price's avatar Timothy Price

    Cool mural. Traditional Fado is interesting. The folk group I played with in Spain had a few Fados in their repertoire.

  20. This is beautiful music, so unusual. I have heard it before but didn’t know it is “Fado”. The Portuguese are very passionate and have a beautiful culture. Thanks for sharing this. So delightful.
    xoxoxoxoxoxo

    1. I agree, it’s beautiful music. The poignant emotion fills me, and I don’t speak the language. Although I do know coração – Heart!

      Interesting, but I know of Fado because of street art. Art teaches!
      xoxoxoxoxo

        1. I’m glad you stopped by too.
          I always love it, because I love you.
          Yes, there is so much to learn, and I adore the lessons art is bringing to me/us.
          Music… it’s half my life!
          xoxoxoxoxo

  23. Resa, thank you for sharing these powerful murals and the story behind them. I love how you used the images to celebrate Fado — music that carries so much soul and cultural memory. Amália Rodrigues and Mariza truly embody the spirit of this tradition, and seeing them honoured in street art feels like a beautiful blending of past and present. Your eye for finding these marvelous murals is inspiring. Your treasure hunts always find pots of gold!!🤗🤗🤗

  24. So beautiful, thank you for this elegant post! Amalia Rodriguez was one of my father’s favorite singers, back in the 60’s and 70’s, and he chose my middle name inspired by hers… Nicoleta Amalia 😊 I have always wished he had chosen it as my first name instead. ☺

    1. How fabulous, Nicole.
      It’s a wonderful thing that you were exposed to this music at a young age.
      Lol, Nicoleta is a beautiful name. It’s my niece’s name; Nicky for short.
      Amalia is gorgeous, and it is still part of yours. Wear it well!
      🌟🌹

      1. Thank you, Resa! 😊 You are right, I very much agree. Most people in my daily life call me Nico or Nicol, and so on WordPress, when I made my blog, 10 years ago, I chose Nicole as the shorter happy version in between. My father’s name was Nicolae, God rest his soul, and that is why my parents thought of Amalia only as my middle name. Nicoleta is lovely too, just a bit long and quite French (Romanian version of Nicolette, my sister being Odette as well 😊), and Nicky is a nice variant. My colleague in University and best friend back then is also called Nicky for short, as Nico was already taken 😊 I totally agree Amalia is a gorgeous name, Resa, thank you very much for your thoughts and wishes, a nice Sunday and new week ahead! ✨

  26. What a stunning mural, and I love the soulful Fado song you chose, Resa! I was just in Portugal this past Spring, and I’m gutted that I didn’t get a chance to see a Fado performance LIVE, partly because of the blackout snafu. But hey, there’s always next time!

    P.S. I’m working on our collab post now. XOXO 😘

    1. OMG! You were there and didn’t get to see a Fado performance. Still, I’ll bet you could see one in Minneapolis, if you searched it out.
      Woohoo! XOXOXO
      Just answered your mail!

      1. Yeah I’d have to search if there’s a FADO performance here in Mpls somewhere!!

        Btw, I’m just about to post the Penguin article, just putting some final touches, woo hoo!!

    1. Yes, emotive is a great description. Considering it is stencil art, I think that came through.
      Lol…”happy” to listen to the “blues”.

  29. This mural is so striking, Resa and I love the songs with so much heart and feeling!
    Thanks for the introduction to Fado and Mariza. Gorgeous music. Now I’m ready for put me in the mood for romance, travel and good wine! Talk about a gown… love hers and not many can look so gorgeous with short hair! Bravo!
    ❤️🍷💃🏻🕺🏻❤️

    1. I’m thrilled you like the music, Cindy. It is real, and it is soulful.

      I know! That gown…wow! And reflecting on the black mirror, and glowing in the black… wow …. It is so rich and exciting looking.
      ❤️🍷💃🏻🕺🏻❤️

      1. it so is and I really loved it. I love most music as long a I can move to it.
        I know it was a 10 and what fun to wear. The reflections were amazing. Speaking of I did love wearing my modified gown/ dress 👗😂 Last night.. sooo fun 🤩💃🏻💓🕺🏻

    1. Thank you, Aladin! What a joy to fin art in the streets that has taught me so much.
      It is crazy how much I have learned from art.
      💖🌻🤗💖🌻

    1. Ahh, you know her music. I’m not surprised.
      It’s a great find It’s quite amazing what I’ve learned from street art!
      🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽
      xoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxooo

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  35. Very nice Resa! Fado is a wonderful music – I remember talking about it with somebody once who told me that it may sound sad at times but it’s really a music people listen when they party. It’s part of their daily life.

  37. Amazing info and art here today Resa. I’d never heard of Fado, let alone that it’s Portugese folk music. I enjoyed the vid. Thanks for the introduction. 🧡💛❌⭕❌

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