Bossa Antigua [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Paul Desmond | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 18, 1999)
• Original Release Date: 1965
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B00000IOPJ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,563 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

When playing alongside Dave Brubeck, the sublime altoist Paul Desmond often played "good cop" (gentle, insouciant, cheerful) to Brubeck's "bad cop" (agitated, cerebral, weighty). In his own, equally fascinating quartets with the august and always composed guitarist Jim Hall, the discord of the Brubeck band is replaced by concord and sympathy. Although the seeds of bossa nova were laid in the mid-1950s, it took two early-1960s Stan Getz records for it to truly blossom: 1962's Jazz Samba with Charlie Byrd and 1964's Getz/Gilberto with Joao Gilberto. Thus, it makes sense that Desmond and crew entered the studio in the summer of 1964 to make their own contributions to the style. Needless to say, the unflappable ensemble and the easygoing style were a perfect match. Atop Modern Jazz Quartet drummer Connie Kay's softly swaying Brazilian rhythms, Desmond and Hall deliver passages that are assertive yet delicate, thoughtful yet breezy, and never ever hurried or forced. --Marc Greilsamer

Product Description

Japanese only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD - playable on all CD players) pressing. BMG. 2008. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Desmond plays ballads., June 25, 2001

By 

Emma Mkrtchian (Davis, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bossa Antigua (Audio CD)

No one plays ballads any sweeter, with any more feeling than Paul Desmond. After listening to this CD I start to think that noone plays bossa-nova like Desmond. My favorite track is number four: Samba Cantina. If you cannot be in Rio to hear some real cool Brazilian, jazzy samba, then get this CD. I own a box set which contains most of Desmond's recordings with Jim Hall including this CD. I always say he is the modern equivalent of Chopin...a romantic musician and a master of the alto saxophone and this surely comes through this recording.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Desmond Delight!, March 24, 2000

By 

Tim Maine "TM" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bossa Antigua (Audio CD)

Though I own alot of Paul Desmond recordings, this one as been in the CD changer for weeks now. There's great, gentle interplay with Jim Hall, and a total sound that is most enjoyable. Warm and round notes make this perfect evening music which I have found pleases most everyone.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Hard to listen to New Jazz Artists after hearing Greats, October 18, 1999

By 

Emile Piscitelli "Dr. P Maverick Philosopher" (Annandale, Va. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bossa Antigua (Audio CD)

Do yourself a favor listen to the smooth delivery of Desmond. Perfect complements are the work of Jim Hall on guitar and the uplifting percussion of Modern Jazz Quartet's Connie Kay. The bassists are the best ever the likes of Percy Heath etc. Sit back and marvel at the mastery of jazz masters. I can't listen to most of the new stuff after this.