RFI/Musique: Cesaria, do you see this CD Anthology as the ultimate sign of recognition?
Cesaria Evora: Yes, I do. It's a sign of recognition for all the long, hard work I've put in over the years. And it's also a way of bringing together the beautiful songs and music that have been scattered across all my different albums to date. That represents a lot of long, hard work, you know. Everything kicked off for me here in France back in '88 ... So for me the album is a way of summing up everything that's happened since then!

Retrospective albums generally give artists the chance to look back over their shoulders and measure how far they've come. So, how do you feel about your career in retrospect?
Well, I'd have to say it's been a brilliant career! No-one can argue with that. But looking back on things I also remember how tough it was when I first started out, it really was an uphill struggle, you know. And I experienced plenty of setbacks and lean periods. But then the public started getting into my music and giving me their support. So, on the whole, I have to say it's been a thoroughly wonderful career.

Do you feel that this album - which really does sum up your entire career - is a way of closing a chapter?
No, no way. Believe me, I haven't said my last word yet! My career's far from over. This album's just a logical follow-up to everything that's come before. I'm still travelling down my own musical road, you know - and don't worry, there'll be plenty of other albums to come!

I know you still live in Mindelo, your home town in Cap Verde. Why go on living there when you've got more than enough money to enjoy the comforts of an international capital like Paris - which is, after all, your adopted home?
Well, for a start, it's way too cold here! (Laughs) I could never get used to the temperatures! And then there are so many other things I have to take into account like my age, my friends and all the little habits I've developed over the years… I can walk around barefoot in Mindelo - and that's something that would be totally inconceivable here! It's funny, though, lots of people assume I've got an apartment in Paris but, you see, they're wrong!

So you could never conceive of sitting down and writing a morna outside your beloved Cap Verde?
No, there's absolutely no question of that! (Laughs) Besides, why would I want to go and live anywhere else? (Cesaria breaks into French for a moment) "Mon petit pays, je l'aime, je l'aime!" ("I love my little homeland, I love it!").

A lot of music critics have compared the morna to the blues. Where do you stand on this issue?
Well, I think it's true to say that black Americans expressed their pain and suffering through the blues. And in a way that's a bit like the population of Cap Verde expressing their feelings through the morna. I think there's a link between all peoples who've shared the experience of being colonised during some period in their history.

I know you play an active role in local community life in Mindelo. In fact, I've heard that you've even set yourself up as sort of a popular bank, giving people interest-free loans?
Have you been carrying out an investigation on me or something? How do you know so much about my life? (Laughs) It's not so much a question of me playing at being the local bank… It's simply that when you've been through tough times in life yourself and you see other people going through the same thing I honestly think you've got a duty to reach out and help them - if you're in a financial position to, of course. It's not a question of going round doling out money any old how, but looking at what you've got to give and deciding on the best way of donating or lending it.
It's a question of solidarity really. You know, it's a bit like when someone stops you in the street and asks for a cigarette - personally if I've got one on me I give it when I'm asked! Of course, sometimes I get asked for a bit more than a simple cigarette, but yes, you've heard right, my loans are all interest-free! The thing is, I give money to people hoping that one day I'll get it back. But often that's not how things turn out! That's not a problem though… I feel this is my way of putting something back into the community - after all, I've taken my music from Cap Verde!

Do you think the fact that you've enjoyed such a successful career on the international music scene has helped turn the spotlight on other singers from Cap Verde like Tito Paris or Teofilo Chantre?
Yes, I think that's obviously the case. The door's open wide now - so it's up to them to step through it and make their own mark on the music world.

It's a bit hard to imagine artists on the current music scene persevering for decades before making it. A lot of young singers starting out these days expect instant fame with their first single. They'd never dream of waiting more than forty years like you did!
Well, they've got a hard lesson ahead of them then. That's just not the way things work, I'm afraid. Things take time and you have to be prepared to put a lot of effort in before you gain acceptance from the public. You've obviously got to have talent in the first place, but if you want to be successful you've got to put in a lot of hard work and be prepared to persevere for years!

It's funny but that's exactly the opposite of the logic employed by most record companies these days who seem to want to make the fastest return on their investments… What do you think of the way the music business is going now?
I don't think it makes any difference whether a record company pumps a huge amount of money into launching an artist or not - if the artist in question wasn't meant to have a successful career, then he or she won't! I think it's a question of personal qualities - that's what determines whether an artist will make it or not. And that's something all the money in the world can't buy! I don't believe it's simply a matter of marketing strategies and economic considerations. That's not the way things work. Personally, I was signed to an independent label, Mélodie, when I brought out Mar azul. It was only afterwards that my producer, José Da Silva contacted BMG. But let me tell you, they didn't pay a centime up front - it was a long hard slog getting things off the ground!

As you probably know, there are a whole series of TV programmes in France and the rest of the world right now that manufacture 'ready-made' TV pop groups. And they've proved to be an instant hit with the public. What's your opinion on shows like Popstars?
I don't know. It's really not my thing. And to be honest I don't even know how the whole thing works! It doesn't interest me at all!

There are a number of previously unreleased tracks on your new album, such as your duet with Bonga on one of your most famous hits, Saudade…
Yes, that was José Da Silva's idea. Bonga had been doing Saudade for years. I think he recorded his own version in '72, in fact. Bonga and I know each other really well. We're the greatest of friends. And that's what really motivated us to record this new version of Saudade together.

I've heard there's another singer you'd particularly like to record with - and that's Charles Aznavour…
Yes, I'm a huge Aznavour fan. I went along to see him in concert with my producer, you know, and we went backstage afterwards to give him a copy of my album. Imagine, I finally got to meet Charles Aznavour in person - I even got to kiss him! I'd be delighted to do a duet with him, of course, even if all I got to do was sing a little part in Creole. But it wouldn't be the end of the world if it didn't happen either! I'm a big fan of lots of other singers like Edith Piaf and Nat King Cole, for instance. I'm always won over by voices - that's what counts most for me!

A growing number of musicians on the electro scene are using world influences like Argentinean tango and African rhythms in their work. Do you think you'd ever be tempted to incorporate electro beats into traditional Cape Verdean music?
Well, my first album Diva aux pieds nus (Barefoot Diva) used arrangements that were quite a bit more 'synthetic' than my more recent albums. There are quite a few keyboards and rhythm boxes on Diva aux pieds nus, in fact. But after that first album we realised that 'synthetic' arrangements didn't really suit my work so we started changing things.
A number of DJs have already sampled my vocals and asked me to collaborate on electro projects, you know. There was this Belgian DJ who "borrowed" one of my mornas, in fact. But personally I have to admit it's not really my thing. I don't mind techno and electronic music - it's music for youngsters though!

But that's part of the point, isn't it? Using electro influences and dance beats in your work could be a way of attracting younger fans…
But I don't have a problem with that. My concerts are always packed with young fans - and I know that because some of them come backstage afterwards and ask for autographs! I don't think experimenting with electronic music would have any effect on the number of people who turn up to my shows!

Looking back on your career which moment are you most proud of - would it be a) being compared to Billie Holiday, b) having been nominated five times at the Grammy Awards, c) Madonna inviting you to her birthday party or d) mothers singing their kids to sleep with your songs?
Well, I have to say, I think the last answer corresponds best to me! I don't really like it when people compare me to other singers - even though the Billie Holiday comparison is obviously very flattering because Billie had an amazing voice! As for the Grammys, that's not so exciting because I've never actually won one! But, then again, it's a pretty big thing for someone like me to have taken part at all with all those American and Brazilian stars there. Being nominated five times when you're just a little singer from Cape Verde is no mean thing! It's true that Madonna invited me to her birthday party twice out of friendship - well, that's not strictly true, let's say it was because she appreciated my work because I can't really claim to know her personally. But in all honesty I think it's got to be answer 'd'. The thing that's made me most proud in my career is knowing that mothers sing their kids to sleep with my songs!

Interview: Loïc Bussières
Translation: Julie Street
Homepage Photo : Pierre René-Worms

Cesaria Evora Anthologie (single CD) and Anthologie : Mornas e Coladeras (double CD) Lusafrica/BMG 2002

Cesaria Evora en ligne