Customer Reviews

Amoroso & Brasil

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Joao Gilberto is a genius singer and the originator of Brazilian bossa nova. His double release Amoroso/Brasil combines 2 of of the best albums of his later career in one CD. The Amoroso section ('77) displays the tranquil, fluid perfection of Gilberto's vocals. The string arrangements are somewhat heavy, but well-composed and appropriate. Joao sings with a fascinating combination of vocal control and sensuality, as on a torrid version of "Besame Mucho". The syncopated skip of his vocal lines on Jobim classics such as "Wave" is breathtaking. Great music for slow, steamy dancing. The Brasil section ('80) is my favorite, because of a more samba style, lighter arrangements, and delightful guest vocals by Caetano Veloso, G.Gil and Maria Bethania. For enjoying soft, relaxed Brazilian music, this double album is the one of the very best.

This CD includes two of Joćo Gilberto's albums: Amoroso (1977) on tracks 1-8, and the tiny Brasil (1981) from 9-14. I could assign this CD 5 stars simply in virtue of the second part; it is worth getting the whole CD just for those 6 tracks.

I agree with the opinion below that Claus Ogerman's orchestral arrangements really do a disservice to Amoroso. To my ear, having heard many other of Gilberto's recordings, Ogerman just doesn't "get it"; his arrangements sometimes seem to me to undermine Gilberto's way of developing the song. For me the most annoying example is comparing "Zingaro" in this album with the live version in Gilberto's live Montreux CD (there it's titled "Retrato em Branco e Preto"). In the live version, Joćo's interpretation builds up a lot of tension in the verses; in the studio version, Ogerman's arrangements utterly destroy this tension. Really, the only song where I think the orchestral arrangements adds anything is "Tin Tin Por Tin Tin". I my Joćo Gilberto stars scale, Amoroso gets three stars (which translates into about four stars in my lesser artists scale).

The second album included in the CD, Brasil, is a whole another story. This has got to be some of the gentlest and most delightful music ever recorded. On this album Gilberto is accompanied by fellow Brazilian stars Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and Maria Bethania. This album is very fundamentally about the contrast between the voices; the most common arrangement is to have them take turns in singing the verses of the song one after the other, almost impossibly softly, each with their own subtly different phrasing. In the context of this incredibly quiet album, the phrasing differences stand out quite dramatically for those who listen for them. One really gets to hear these familiar people's voices in a new way by juxtaposing them. (I can imagine, however, that familiarity with the artists helps in appreciating this album.)

Amoroso/Brasil is not really worth buying if you like Joao Gilberto's soft atmospheres ; there is too much orchestration on this record, and it's sad too see that Joao sounds better, much more evocative and sensual when he is alone with his guitar. Better buy Live in Montreux or Voz e violao...

Claus Ogerman's orchestral arrangements worked to great effect on Jobim's instrumental recordings in the 60's, because they didn't have a voice to contend with. They aren't exactly detrimental to Gilberto's "Amoroso", but they are pretty much superfluous. The problem with any backing for Gilberto is that it only serves to detract from his voice and guitar work. He's at his best when he's playing solo, or with some spare drums. Nevertheless, one can't be satisfied doing the very same thing over and over, and these recordings from the mid 70s and early 80s are very good indeed. The second half of the disc features Joao with Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil, two guys--like many Brazilian musicians--who fell under the influence of Joao. They come together beautifully on "Bahia com H", "Aquarelo do Brasil" and "Disse Alguem"--a very peppy Brazilian reworking of the standard "All of Me". The earlier sessions--the ones with Ogerman's strings--feature Jobim's "Triste" and Joao's signature reworking of the Gershwins' "'S Wonderful". All in all, very good stuff.

As a singer I must say that Joćo, one of the greatest singers of all time, is a true professor. He is a soulful artist, and we can notice that the first time we listen to his voice. Very touching!

This cd was the first of many brazilian bossa novas I've bought. I heard the Girl from Ipanema on a complilation jazz cd and was hooked then. I don't aggree w/ the above reviewers who don't like the orchestral arrangements? Are you nuts? This album is fantastic! Its actually two albums, and I love every song. I grew up listening to mostly r/b and this style is second only to that for me.
I had never heard music so beautiful as in (portueguese'.) One of my professors suggested that I give a listen to international music, boy was she right.
I have migraines so I put on Joao/Astrud/Stan Getz to relax and release the pain. They are all so soothing and enjoyable. I also suggest you get" Getz/Gilberto: live at Carnegie Hall" Astrud appears on it as well. Antonio Carlos Jobim: Wave, "Brazilian Romance" all by Verve records.

As many reviewers have said, tracks 9-14 are worth the price of the album. These tracks are simply astonishing. I first heard three or four of them over the internet and on various mix CDs that my friends had. I was drawn to "Aquarela do Brasil" and "Disse Alguem" especially, and you could tell that it was the same session. I told myself I had to find such an album. (You see Mr. Record Company, many file sharers do go out and buy CDs!)

Wasn't I suprised to find the Brasil album (tracks 9-14) together with Amoroso (1-8). Maybe I'm a little more used to sappy strings than some other people, but they don't bother me so much. Heck, as long as I can hear Joao's voz e violao, I'm a happy man.

If the somewhat negative reviews of the first half of the CD are making some of you hesitant to purchase this wonderful music, I need only remind you that some people buy a disc for only one song. Well, here you're gonna find six wonderful ones for sure, and maybe a few more, depending on your taste in strings.

I've lived in Brasil for 6 years and learned to love the great bossanova and samba sounds. This CD contains some of my favourite brasilian songs in their best versions. Particullarly, the second part, the 'Brasil' album, which features Joćo Gilberto, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and Maria Bethānia is definitely my favourite brasilian recording!

Not to be missed, under any circunstance!

beautiful and oh, so soothing.... caresses your soul

i will focus on the brasil part in this review. as other reviewers have noted, joao was at his finest on some amoroso tracks but the production is unbearable at times.
the voices on brasil are familiar to anyone who is a fan of brazilian music: gilberto gil, caetano veloso, joao gilberto, and maria bethania are among the greatest superstars all time of brazilian music individually. and on this album they all come together to play joao gilberto's style of music. i'm not sure about bethania but gil and caetano were avid joao fans. however they had never tried to replicate his sound. tropicalia's musical influences certainly included joao but were nothing like his music. in this 1981 release, we here straight bossa nova. joao plays beautifully. the production at times is not optimal but at other times is excellent. hearing gil and caetano sing in such a restrained, soft fashion is impressive considering the vocals that they had used in their career up to that point.
anyways, this album certainly pays tribute to brasil and brazilian music. disse alguem, the simons and marks jazz standard all of me in portuguese lyrics, is the one exception. the vocals are stunning, the bossa rhythms crisp and refreshing, the sound soft as can be. this is one of my favorite albums.