Customer Reviews

Antonio Carlos Jobim Bk/Cd and the Art of Bossa Nova Jazz Play-Along Vol.8 (Hal Leonard Jazz Play-Along)

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This book is exactly what it claims to be. 10 tunes and 21 CD track (includin tuning notes). The book is a fake book with all ten tunes, with no text. The book is in three parts, first a fake book with all tunes for C-instruments, then for Bb instruments and then for Eb instruments. No lyrics.

On the CD each tune is recorded twice. The first recording (split track/melody) is with a solo instrument and typically runs like this: First with a solo-instrument playing the tune once, then one repetition of the backing without the solo instrument, so you may solo, and then the solo instrument returns for the last repetition of the melody (no improvising). It is possible to remove bass or piano by turning down volume on one of the channels, but I have had no need for it, and my stereo does not allow it. The second recording (full stereo track) is the same backing, but with no solo-instrument.

I found this a perfect companion to learning these tunes.

My main complain is: while the tempo is fine when I have learned the tune and am familiar with the chords and arpeggios, it is too fast in the inital stage until I become familiar with the tune. I solved this problem by ripping the CD and using software to reduce the tempo without altering the pitch and use a 20% slower version in the beginning. I would have preferred the first track to be slower, but those who want to use that track for practicing comping may have other preferences. The first track is also intended as a "learning tool for melody style and inflection". I'd prefer a version closer to the written melody and later use my favorite recodings for ideas about style and inflection, but that is also a matter of taste.

I use these books a lot and love them (I own vol 27 too). Excellent value for the money, highly recommended.

I love these arrangements. They're tough, and will require soloists to have a few years under their belts before doing them justice. In my case, some of the key signatures for E-flat alto sax are a challenge, with some of the charts in five or six sharps; not all that unusual when playing with guitar-driven arrangements, but good practice. All the arrangements include choruses for improvisation. All in all, a lot of fun. On the CD, the final track is a tuning pitch. And the vocal count-off at the beginning of every track is a little annoying. Perhaps clicks or rimshots would have been better.