Customer Reviews

Big Band Bossa Nova

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I love this CD. It's so reminiscent of the cocktail party music for those old movies from the late 50's and 60's with folks like Rock Hudson, Jack Lemmon, David Niven, Doris Day, Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, etc. Bossa Nova was THE MAJOR COCKTAIL PARTY music for films like Casino Royale (It helped to make "The Look of Love," as done by Sergio Mendes and Brazil '66 so popular). Bossa Nova was king then, and this is a fabulous feel good nostalgia recording. This CD makes me want to throw a cocktail party! This treatment of bossa nova fits in perfectly with the musical culture of those days gone by. It's a time travel trip to the suburban set and penthouse parties in Manhattan. It's soothing, calm, and simply . . . Quincy does Bossa Nova in the early 60's. Got to go . . . it's martini time.

This record his become much more than just a soundtrack. As pursuit7 already stated it is a symbol of a lifestyle and an era.
It might be cooler than any music you have heard.
How many records can be played in the trendiest Lounge bars and most conservative country clubs at the same time? at lest we have one here.
Soul Bossa Nova takes a special position mostly because it has been used in so many occasion everybody recognises it, it is to say the pop-music from this record, but this track is definately not the (only) reason to buy BBBN.
So this all means that how good or bad it is is almost irrelevant since it is sort of a reference itself. A must have.

This alblum was my first encounter with the music of Quincy Jones. We played it in stage band in high school. If you enjoy the sounds of bossa nova music, this is some of the best! I'm a great fan of new types of music with a beat and performed by great artists. In the early 60's, this was quite original - even ahead of the times. I've been watching for the CD for some time.

At at in the early 60s bossa nova was a new style of music pioneered by the great Carlos Jobim, and it was brought over from Latin America to the states. This style of music was so unique and different from standard latin music that everyone wanted more, and bossa nova easily took over the adult contemporary charts of the early 60s. By the release of this album, Quincy had already established himself as a exceptional songwriter by arranging songs for Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and at the time Ray Charles who had a big hit with his new album Genius+Soul=Jazz which was arranged by Quincy Jones. Jones legacy would later intertwine with Michael Jackson's success and of course many T.V. themes and movie themes. Jone in simple words put is a musical legend, he could make the most out of what little he had, and make it a hit. Unfortunately at the time, as a band leader, Quincy Jones didn't have any big hits, as he mainly composed jazz and swing music of the 30s and 40s that had long been replaced by bebop and cool jazz of the 50s. At the time Soul Bossa Nova was released, it wasn't quite as popular as it is today, but over the years people grew to appreciate this soulful album. Soul Bossa Nova was the theme song for Austin Powers and used on many shows, its sort of become a novelty song over the years. Of course besides Soul Bossa Nova this album offers other bossa nova standards that are relaxing to listen to, but Soul Bossa Nova is the song that makes this album. This is by far one of Quincy Jones finest pieces of work.

This is just a great, pleasant album that makes me happy. I think the people who reviewed this negatively didn't think it was true enough to "bossa nova" and wasn't authentic enough, but who the hell cares? For me personally, I think Quincy's arrangements of classics like "desafinado" are the best around, including Stan Getz's versions. They are very different sounds. Quincy's versions are generally much more upbeat and loud, but Quincy is probably the best musician/producer I have heard with perfecting the little things. The band is incredibly tight and all of the little sounds are arranged perfectly. So, this is one of my favorite albums I have bought this year, and probably in the last few years, so I would recommend buying it.

Love the music on this CD!! I would recommend this CD to those that enjoy the Bosa Nova style music and those that enjoy Quincy Jones.

The Quincy Jones band is exceptionally good on this CD. I played mine for a non Bosa Nova lover, but they were a Quincy Jones lover and I got a positive response. They greatly enjoyed the music.

this is Big Band Bossa Nova, when the Bossa Nova was a big craze, back in the early 60's, arranged and produced by the MASTER, Quincy Jones. Still sounds good today.........

Very, very disappointing. One star, and only because of the arrangement of Serenata -- otherwise, 1/2. Go with Quarteto em Cy or Joao Donato, any of Tom Jobim's CDs are preferable -- maybe Gal Costa sings Jobim.

Sorry to say, this is a TERRIBLE album -- he was just trying to capitalize on a "thing" at the time..... disappointing. Period.

Most BossaNova is best when done by small groups -- BUT, if you insist on a big/larger bands, get Stan Getz's Big Band Bossa Nova CD. That's a terrific album. This flat-out STINKS (and I like most of Q's other work).

As a qualifier of sorts, I've been to Rio, am a former broadcaster and DO know music.

I absolutely LOVE this CD! It always puts me in the happiest of moods. Funny thing is, I had no idea that it was originally from the early 60's! It sounds fantastic!

Well, yes and no. All the melodies are good swinger fare, but none of the others have the magic of the super-famous first track. Play it at your next dinner party; everyone will love "Soul Bossa Nova", then settle into conversation while the rest of the album fills the background.