Gisela João - Gisela João (2013)

2013 was an amazing year for Gisela João: her debut album, received with excellent reviews, ended up being unanimously acclaimed as the Best Portuguese Album of the Year by major magazines and newspapers such as the Blitz, Expresso, Público, Time Out, the music website, Cotonete, and the Glob Awards (Best Performer Award) with the album achieving gold record status.
Currently, in 2014, and following her sold-out concerts at the Casa da Música and Belem Cultural Centre at the beginning of the year, it became evident that Gisela João’s first album revealed a unique and extraordinary fado singer, and represented a milestone in the history of contemporary fado.
Born and raised in Barcelos, Gisela João lived in Porto for six years. Eventually, singing won her over and took her to Lisbon.
In a small “borrowed” house in Mouraria she struggled under the oppressive weight of solitude and often thought of quitting, although she resisted. She first conquered half of Lisbon, then the whole city, from Lisbon’s Fado Houses to the mythical Lux club, from the Small Auditorium of the Belem Cultural Centre to the São Luiz Theatre.
Then the time came to face that big challenge and record her first album. She found the ideal counterpart in Frederico Pereira, and they started recording together.
The album was released on 1 July, 2013, and two weeks later it reached Number One on the Portuguese Sales Chart, and most Portuguese music critics rated it as the most important debut album by a Portuguese artist in the Twentieth Century, with Gisela João receiving the Amália Best New Artist award, named after the famous fado singer with whom she has been often compared in view of her talent.

Tracklist:

01. Madrugada Sem Sono
02. Vieste Do Fim Do Mundo
03. Meu Amigo Está Longe
04. Bailarico Saloio
05. Voltaste
06. Sei Finalmente
07. Canto De Rua
08. Primavera Triste
09. (A Casa Da) Mariquinhas
10. Sou Tua
11. Malhões E Vira
12. Maldição
13. Não Venhas Tarde
14. Antigamente