Customer Reviews

ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM: An All-Star Tribute

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you're wary of the typical "all-star tribute"--the protracted, over-the-top, star-studded, greatest hits extravaganza that manages to leave you unable to watch another minute but somehow still hungry for more--you owe it to yourself to set aside your misgivings and experience this concert. Although you will hear some of Jobim's greatest hits, you'll also be treated to a few not-so-well-known songs that deserve to be better known, like "Olha Maria," performed solo by pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and "Luiza," performed by Tom Jobim himself, who takes the stage mid-concert with no introduction. In fact, his entrance pretty much sums up the unassuming, sophisticated style that made Jobim and his music so special--he simply walks out, greets the band and the audience, sits down at the piano, and plays and sings. Marred only by careless film editing that sometimes shows close-ups of musicians obviously playing something other than what you're hearing, this program is a beautiful, bittersweet "good-bye" to Jobim, who continues to leave us hungry for more.

It was a great honor to see this event on DVD. This event is a post-cardio-problem concert of Mr. Jobim. He still held his hands steadily and played beautifully while entertaining us for a short while during the tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim. He played remarkably well and one could see that he was trying to maintain his haltar on his side rib/chest area. [I remembered in 1990 he had suffered a heart attack and his concert was in jeopardy of being cancelled; however, he tended to the all-star gala in 1991! I was preparing to see him.]

I am mostly proud of all of the band members: Mr. HERBIE HANCOCK [a true and fine pianist of our era], OSCAR CASTRO NEVES, the ever delightful Miss SHIRLEY HORN, Mr. GONZALO RUBALCABA [remarkable pianist], GAL COSTA (what a delight she was in this concert! Her voice raw and purified as fine river water flowing from las montañas de Copa!!), Mr. JON HENDRICKS (My Satchmo the 2nd, his voice as crisp as his sailor hat), RON CARTER (a fine bassist as always, mimicking Mr. Eddie Calhoun)and other fine deliciously in-tune musicians. They ALL WERE REMARKABLE!! I AM PROUD TO HAVE PURCHASED THIS EVENT ON DVD. Thanks once more to all who have assisted in making this a dream for me to have in my possession forever and ever... Thank you. **AB**

Shirley Horn, Herbie Hancock, Jon Hendricks, Gonzalo Rubalcaba in a tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim as recorded in São Paulo. A sensational Bossa Nova session ends the show in an all-star performance. Very good.

A wonderful show! This concert features some of the best jazz and Brazilian artists performing beautiful renditions of Jobim's tunes. Jobim takes the stage himself for an emotional set of his classics. I highly recommend this video for all who are Jobim or Brazilian music fans. All his classic songs are featured. Rubalcaba is mind boggling and Hendricks is the quintessential lounge lizard! Very well done!

Direct from Brazil in his last recorded performance, Jobim is joined by Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Ron Carter, Shirley Horn, and Jon Hendricks for intoxicating renditions of unforgettable melodies like "The Girl From Ipanema" and "Once I Loved." Lyrical, harmonically and rhythmically sophisticated, "Tom" Jobim's compositions are melodically rich, striking and, above all, extraordinarily beautiful.

#1349 (60 min, Hi-Fi Stereo)

Before watching this DVD I had never heard of Gal Costa. What a pleasant surprise to see her perform. Antonio himself appears in this one for Luiza and Wave: very nice. I couldn't appreciate John Henricks performance, too much scatting and not very good. That's just my opinion. Gonzalo Rubalcaba didn't impress me either. For me, the real standout performance was by Gal Costa. She does very cool A Felicidade with Herbie; and then an amazing So Todos Fossem Iguais a Voce. Also, Herbie is an amazing keyboard player. It is as though the instrument is part of him. Buy it!

I was throwing out my old VHS tapes and I prayed that this great performance was on DVD and I'm so glad it was. Jobim was one of the greatest song writers we ever had, on the same level with Gershwin and Cole Porter. This performance is a living tribute to his brilliance. I know we all miss him. I'm sure he's creating music wherever he is.

"Tom" Jobim died only a few months after this concert, so it was one of his last performances. He was truly a legend and if you love music you really need to acquaint yourself with his. Beautifully complex rhythms and harmonies that do not wear thin with repeated listening--the hallmark of great music. Even without understanding the lyrics his music evokes combinations of deep emotions, including a sad/sweet longing that has no English translation from the Portuguese. I'll not mention all of the artists that appear in this concert, but only draw your attention to Gal Costa, who has become one of my favorite Brazilian singers. Check out her earlier CDs. You will not be disappointed!

Musical director (and keybordist) Herbie Hancock did a very fine job for this 1994 tribute to the great and very influential Antonio Carlos Jobim.
He leads the pack of some fine musicians of various jazz and latin persuasions, working together very well indeed, with Ron Carter (b) on the permanent rhythm section and Herbie himself jumping in on various roles (MC, pianist, back-up synth. player, etc.)...

Other participants (a fine international crew) include Shirley Horn - playing and singing, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Joe Henderson, Jon Hendricks, Gal Costa, Alex Acuna, Paulo (Paulinho) Jobim
and AC (Tom) Jobim himself, not long before his departure.

The film is directed by Walter Salles (Jr.), usually considered to be one of the best Brazilian film directors, although some of the (visual) editing choices seem quite questionable to me (and the transfer to DVD is far from ideal). However, I'm giving this 5 stars for some fine musical moments; for instance young Cuban Rubalcaba shows his considerable chops - he's some sort of latin jazz Tatum/Powell hybrid; he also plays 4 hands piano with Jobim on the jubilant finale...
Jon Hendricks is very charismatic, Joe Henderson ellegant and swinging, Gal Costa energetic and sassy (in a latin way)...

Jobim's hits and some less familiar songs are on this DVD; a very good starting point for someone curious about bossa nova and latin jazz,
a true must have for Jobim fans, Rubalcaba fans, Hendricks fans.....

I am Brazilian and I do not recommend this DVD. It does not reflect the beauty of the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim.
If you want to buy it, check it out first at a local DVD rental service or library. Some of those DVD of Brazilian Music are available for renting.
The DVD has low quality. There are lots of improvisation on the music theme and the lyrics in english are different from the lyrics in portuguese. I guess, it has to do with the way that the words sound, rather then the accuracy of translation. The overall performance for a JAZZ Festival is good for someone who really likes Jazz, I guess. The person who introduce the singer has empty comments such as "wonderful singer... beautiful bla bla bla". He does not give you any information about the interpreter of the Jobin's music or any info about the music itself, very superficial. A pity. I donated my DVD to the local library in the same day I got It.