890 Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto (1964)

 890 Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto (1964)


Studio Album - Bossanova





About the Acts (mostly from WIkipedia):

Stanley Getz (February 2, 1927 – June 6, 1991) was an American jazz saxophonist, professionally known as Stan Getz. Playing primarily the tenor saxophone, Getz was known as "The Sound" because of his warm, lyrical tone, his prime influence being the wispy, mellow timbre of his idol, Lester Young. Coming to prominence in the late 1940s with Woody Herman's big band, Getz is described by critic Scott Yanow as "one of the all-time great tenor saxophonists". Getz performed in bebop and cool jazz groups. Influenced by João Gilberto and Antônio Carlos Jobim, he popularized bossa nova in America with the hit single "The Girl from Ipanema" (1964).

João Gilberto was a Brazilian singer, songwriter, and guitarist, who was a pioneer of the musical genre of bossa nova in the late 1950s. Around the world he was often called "father of bossa nova"; in his native Brazil, he was referred to as "O Mito" ("The Legend").

Antônio Carlos Brasileiro de Almeida Jobim (January 25, 1927 – December 8, 1994), also known as Tom Jobim, was a Brazilian composer, pianist, songwriter, arranger and singer. Widely considered as one of the great exponents of Brazilian music, Jobim internationalized bossa nova and, with the help of important American artists, merged it with jazz in the 1960s to create a new sound with remarkable popular success. As such he is sometimes known as the "father of bossa nova". Jobim was a primary force behind the creation of the bossa nova style, and his songs have been performed by many singers and instrumentalists internationally.

Astrud Gilberto ; born Astrud Evangelina Weinert, March 29, 1940) is a Brazilian samba and bossa nova singer. She became popular in the 1960s after her performance of the song "The Girl from Ipanema". At the time of recording she was the wife of João Gilberto, and was only in the studio to keep him company. She was persuaded to sing because she could sing in English.


About the Album:

This album was an important one in the world of Jazz, and in promoting the popularity of the bossa nova. Jobim was composer, producer, and pianist, Gilberto sang and played guitar, and Getz played saxophone. This was the launch of Astrud Gilberto's career as a singer. 


My History with this Album:

None


Review:

The album starts with gently strummed bossa nova guitar (I think a classical guitar) and develops into "The Girl from Ipanema", which became a classic standard. Here is where it started. This is the only track I knew.

The whole album is laid back and chilled, gentle guitar, gentle drums, simple and gentle piano, there may be some bass in there, and the singing is laid-back, chilled and understated. This is the sort of music that might play in a classy cafe while on holiday, the sort of music that invites you to relax, breathe easy and take your time. It's not music to play loud, it is music to put on in the background. It is after dinner with coffee music and dimmed lights. It is latin in feel. I don't know all of the different latin rhythms, so I will take it on trust that this is bossa nova, mixed in with Jazz. Most of the singing is in Portuguese, this being a prodominantly Brazilian thing, despite being recorded in New York. 

It is in fact a masterpiece in mellow. It was recorded in two days. Two days! It's not easy to be this easy and effective. It would be easy to dismiss this as nothing much, but the subtlety and aplomb with which this is handled is a mark of finesse. 

There are two stand-out highlights for me, the sax playing which is so warm and breathy and utterly beautiful, and the vocals of Astrud Gilberto, which are the same in vocal form - sultry and wistful.


8/10


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3JvFflPIx7bB6lJ4qId2Er

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7gp579CMkT8Bx7wrlczLUZ-AZApsyFUk

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getz/Gilberto


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