Recorded live in The Netherlands, Maria Mendes brings the folk Portuguese music of fado and saudade to Europe with a more classical feel, backed by the Metropole Orkest conducted by the versatile arranger and keyboardist John Beasley, who also produced her more folksy first release. Known for his Monkestra, Beasley brings a swinging rhythm section of Cedric Hanriot/p-key, Jasper Somsen/b and Mario Costa/dr to support the 20 member strings section and five member woodwinds. The moods are Andalusian, but with a dash of classical/Broadway, with mellow horns and rich strings for a panoramic “Com Que Voz” in which Mendes displays style with passion. The oboes are longing around the strings for “Mermeto’s Fado For Maria” while the melding of clarinet and reeds float around the sophisticated lady on “Danca Do Amor”. Going uptown in Lisbon.