Customer Reviews

Compact Jazz

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3 star:		(2)
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Astrud Gilberto was not supposed to sing. But when Stan Getz wanted some English vocals on his 1963 number The Girl From Ipanema, he asked Joao Gilberto's translator and then-wife Astrud to contribute. Despite objections, Getz stuck to his guns and Astrud laid down vocals with shy charm. They made the resulting song a classic. Girl was a huge crossover hit, winning Astrud a Grammy and launching a singing career that continues today.

Polygram's Compact Jazz series includes Astrud singing sixteen numbers. GFI leads off, but also deserving of high praise are such numbers as Aqua De Beber (Water To Drink), Goodbye Sadness (Tristeza), and so forth. Tristeza features engaging organ by Walter Wanderly, but both he and Astrud outdo themselves on Summer Samba (So Nice). O Morro (Nao Tem Vez) shines with a neat horn solo in the open, while Corcovado "reuites" Astrud with Joao Gilberto. On the album goes through the frequently-covered Jobim classic How Insensitive. It all displays the shy charm that made Astrud such a joy to listen to.

Her phrasing, her swing, her angel-soft voice, in portuguese; The hues of her tone of voice paint the most wonderful colors in the canvas of music and beyond. Only Elis Regina and perhaps one or two more Brazilian singers have gotten up there where she is and where she takes us everytime she sings. If you like bossa nova, jazz, or brazilian music in general, this is a must have and your just one click away.

Most people know Astrud Gilberto from her collaboration with Stan Getz that launched her career. "The Girl From Impanema" is included here, but is by no means the best song on the CD. This is one of those CDs that it would be hard to name the best song, as almost every one is a candidate. Among the compilation CDs that I have seen for her, I feel that this is the best sampling of her work.

For those of you not familiar with anything other than "The Girl from Impanema", do yourself a favor and buy this CD. It is perfect for informal dinner parties, or just to soothe your mind after a hard day at work. You will become enchanted with her and wonder why you have never heard any of her other songs. Also, I defy anyone to be in a bad mood after making it even halfway through this disk. This is one of my favorite CDs and I'm sure it will become one of yours as well.

This is a timeless classic - - the music is beautiful, and Astrud Gilberto's voice is incredible.

Astrud's voice elevates me above anything and everything that's bothering me. The simplicity and innocence of this music takes me into a dream world. I can't stop listening to tracks like "Girl...", "Agua de Beber", "Summer Samba", "Dindi"... all of them! Every track on this album is amazing!

This compilation represents the ticket to perhaps the wealthiest voice of Bossa Nova...listen to Astrud and your senses and vision will never be clearer. I have been struck with the tender and crisp happiness of Astrud's voice for over thirty years now...and there is never a week that goes by without my 'fix' of Astrud's happy and mature voice!. This particular set , although quickly remastered, is enough to lure the one-time listener into the seductive and glamorous world that is Astrud Gilberto! Verve Records, Creed Taylor and others obviously knew that Astrud's voice honored the timeless and priceless songs of Bossa Nova...and this CD provides it all to the fortunate listener!

This is obvously one of the best C.D.s in the world. It is very remarkable what a good singer Astrug Gelberto is. I think it has many good songs including The Girl From Ipanema, It Might As Well Be Spring, and Only Trust Your Heart. I think this a great C.D. to listen to Many times.

Astrud Gilberto is without a doubt the best known female bossa nova singer in the world. The problem with this rerelease is that the sound quality is marginal at best. It sounds as if the producers just rerecorded the original cuts without digitally improving on old technology. But for those who are long time fans will find most of her old favorites here, and find it fun for nostalgic reasons.

This is a first-class compilation of Astrud Gilberto's greatest hits, kicking off with `The Girl from Ipanema' as the first of 14 mainly bossa nova numbers including `Agua de Beber', `It might as well be spring' and `Take me to Aruanda.'

All the pieces here are from the golden era of bossa nova in the 1960s. About half the songs are sung in Portuguese and the rest in English, with Astrud's delightful Brazilian accent and clean, tuneful, perfect-for-jazz voice. The musician line-up features Astrud's husband Joao on guitar, Stan Getz, Antonio Carlos Jobim, the great Gil Evans (who did so much great work with Miles Davis) and Walter Wanderley.

It's a truly delightful album with a relaxed summer-day feel and first-class studio production values, infused with joy. It's perfect any time you need to lift your spirits, ideal as dinner party background music or to accompany you on a lazy summer afternoon.

These songs never age, and if you want to own just one album of the best from the golden age of bossa nova, this would be an excellent choice.

If you like the Bossa, this is the album for you. If you dont have it, get it. You wont be disapointed, believe me. She is great and so is Jobim and Getz. Dont worry about her others, although they are all good, this is THE one