Product Description

After the success of Furtado's debut 'Whoa Nelly' the lively singer/songwriter returns with her second release 'Folklore'. Joined again by producers Track & Field, the album sees Nelly explore her Portuguese roots while continuing to blendhip hop, pop, soul and South American rhythms. The album includes guest appearances from jazz outfit Kronos Quartet, Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso, and Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger.

Track Listing

1. One-Trick Pony - Nelly Furtado, Kronos Quartet
2. Powerless (Say What You Want)
3. Explode
4. Try
5. Fresh Off The Boat
6. Forca
7. The Grass Is Green
8. Picture Perfect
9. Saturdays - Nelly Furtado, Jarvis Church
10. Build You Up
11. Island Of Wonder - Nelly Furtado, Caetano Veloso
12. Childhood Dreams
13. Try - Nelly Furtado, Kronos Quartet
14. Powerless (Say What You Want)
15. Weblink (Nelly Furtado/Folklore)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28953 in Music
• Released on: 2003-11-24
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Running time: 59 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
On her second album, Folklore, Nelly Furtado takes a hard left turn. The colourful but incomplete fusion of her debut, Whoa, Nelly!, gives way on this tellingly titled record to an approach that lets in some acoustic sounds which take the music in an entirely different, richer direction. At times sounding like a dead ringer for singer-writer Sam Phillips (whose work colours each episode of the American television series Gilmore Girls), Furtado aims for more rock-oriented ground without losing the Brazilian influences that are so much a part of her identity. Her voice and tunes are strong, and both words and music paint a picture of a young woman still very much in movement, change, flux. It's an intriguing sound, and one that thoughtful listeners will cherish. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

very impressive collection of songs
All the songs on Folklore sound original.I expect just about anyone to think that "island of wonder" is a really good song in terms of the music and smooth vocals.When I first heard this album I thought it wasn't that good but it is really - it 's just very different to Whoa! Nelly! which is the only other Nelly Furtado cd I've heard.I read a reviewer saying that he thinks Shakira is batty and that's what makes her so good.But Nelly is definitely pottier than Shakira - when she sings a song you feel as though she's been possessed by the muses instead of inspired by them - I haven't heard anyone sing as instinctively as Nelly does.She hasn't got the world's best singing voice on Folklore ( many of her vocals on Whoa! Nelly! are astonishingly good) but she does have an ear or two or three for making a good song.

Really very good
Ok, this album is state-of-the-art. Every track has a distinct personality, inspired by worldly beats and rhythms. I have to say that last song is amazing. Other languages are integrated in various song lyrics, making the album more colourful and cultured in its appeal. The songs are a fuse between so many genres, its very difficult to define what they're all about - folk, pop, country, even hip hop, you name it. The songs are experimental, and they really work well, and nelly's voice sounds great. What I also like is that the songs are not superficial, they have connotations that run deep, exploring so many themes like fame, teenage life, childhood, myths and legends to name but a few. I cant recommend it more highly. I looked at the critics reviews and was wary when buying this album - Just what were they thinking? The album is timeless.

Lots of quality tracks and if you like her voice - it's a must buy
This is the second album of Nelly Furtado (I don't have a very clear idea of her first album, and I am unlikely to buy it now), and it is a very pleasant mix of pop, folk and hip-hop, with a touch of Latin rhythm thrown in for good measure. She has quite a particular and characteristic voice that comes across nicely on tracks such as "One-Trick Pony" and "Explode". Also the compositions are strong and catchy, and with her voice she gives each song, and thus the whole album, a unique quality. She moves well from the great soft song "Try" through the neat rhythms on "Forca" and "Powerless". Her voice is particular (a little nasal) and it can grate a bit though poor speakers, but put it on a good stereo system and the voice and music is better balanced. I played it a lot for a while and then got a little bored with her voice, but more recently it has turned up again a lot on my play-list. So an excellent disc that grows on you, and has a lot of quality tracks. It's worth a place in your collection.