Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim [Original recording remastered]

Frank Sinatra, Antonio Carlos Jobim | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 26, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 1967
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000006OBR
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (124 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,409 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #46 in Music > World Music > Latin Music > Brazilian > Bossa Nova
  • #77 in Music > Jazz > Brazilian Jazz

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Multitalented Brazilian musician Jobim's talent was revealed to a larger world in 1959 by his and Luis Bonfa's score for the film Orfeu Negro (Black Orpheus) in 1959. Songs such as "A Felicidade" and "Desafinado" generated the bossa nova movement of the early '60s that inspired the likes of Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd, and Miles Davis. This 1967 album features Jobim sharing vocals with Sinatra on "The Girl from Ipanema" and "How Insensitive." Three standards--"Change Partners" by Irving Berlin; "I Concentrate on You" by Cole Porter; and Robert Wright, George Forrest, and Alexander Borodin's "Baubles, Bangles, and Beads"--round out the program of seven Jobim tunes. This is a lovely taste of Latin melody and rhythm from two masters of relaxed swing. --Stanley Booth

Product Description

Out of print in the U.S.! Antonio Carlos Jobim brings the Bossa Nova beat to Francis Albert Sinatra for this 1967 album, creating a sleek and sexy collection of songs that will appeal to Pop, Easy Listening, Bossa Nova and Lounge fans. Though they are two strong musical personalities, they allow each other plenty of space and, ultimately, Sinatra's voice magnificently soars above Jobim's simple, yet effective Latin-tinged rhythms. Absolutely irresistible. Warner.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It whispers music to the weary spirit, March 24, 2006

By 

Leonard Fleisig "Len" (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim (Audio CD)

I purchased this album because the author (and Sinatra aficionado) Pete Hamill claimed in his book "Why Sinatra Matters" that it was one of Sinatra's best. Nevertheless I was skeptical because quite often a record producer or performer will get the idea that creating a `super group' or pairing two very talented musicians will create a record that is even greater than the sum of its parts. That usually doesn't happen. The usual result is one in which each `diva' takes a turn showcasing his or her talents. "Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim" is a rare and very pleasant exception. Although not a 50-50 blend, this album really showcases Sinatra performing the great Jobim's music, the result is virtually flawless.

Sinatra & Jobim was released in the U.S. in 1967 during the height of Brasil's bossa nova invasion. Performers such as Jobim, Joao Gilberto and Astrud Gilberto, enjoyed tremendous influence on U.S. pop music and jazz. Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd, Ella Fitzgerald and others all absorbed or collaborated in the bossa nova boom. This album and the later "Sinatra and Company" mark Sinatra's footprint in the bossa nova genre.

The CD opens with an excellent cover of The Girl from Ipanema with Sinatra taking verses in English and Jobim in Portuguese. As others have noted, Sinatra's voice is quiet to the point of whispering. Those used to swing era Sinatra and his other full throttle vocals may find is quiet, spare renditions different to say the least. It happens to work in the context of this and other tracks such as Dindi, Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars and Meditation. Sinatra always had a great feel for interpreting a song and I think his approach to Jobim's songs is dead solid perfect. Similarly, the three non-Jobim songs arranged by the very talented Claus Ogerman, "Change Partners", "I Concentrate on You", and "Baubles, Bangles and Beads", fit in nicely with Jobim's in terms of the mood and the music.

All in all this is an excellent CD and is one that I often turn to when I want music to whisper to me instead of shout. Highly recommended.

56 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Legendary Ol' Blue Eyes Sings Antonio Carlos Jobim's Songs, November 19, 2004

By 

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim (Audio CD)

The legendary Ol' Blue Eyes sings the Bossa Nova icon's compositions and does more than justice to his songs. His interpretations are awesomely beautiful and incredibly enchanting. He covers these songs with utmost confidence considering that these songs are not his normal repertoire. In my opinion, this is one of Sinatra's finest albums ever recorded. With A.C. Jobim and one of my favorite conductors/arrangers, Claus Ogerman in the picture, what more can you ask for?

On the opening track, Jobim shares the spotlight with Sinatra on a duet, "The Girl From Ipanema" covering the Portuguese lyrics of this beautiful classic and in my opinion, the most famous of all his compositions. I love his music and have collected a few of his earliest albums. He was one of the few creative musicians who composed, sung, played the piano and guitar. He collaborated with Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto and Astrud Gilberto, to name a few, and has created wonderful and lovable melodies that are so appealing and pleasing even to the most discriminating ears. Many think of him as Brazil's answer to America's George Gershwin.

Only three out of the ten tracks are non-Jobim compositions, Irving Berlin's "Change Partners," Cole Porter's "I Concentrate On You" and Wright/Forrest/Borodine's "Baubles, Bangles And Beads."

My favorites? They're my all-time favorites, but I picked out one lovely song as follows:

"Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars"
Words & Music by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Gene Lees

"Quiet nights of quiet stars
Quiet chords from your guitar
Floating on the silence that surrounds us

Quiet thoughts and quiet dreams
Quiet walks by quiet streams
And the window looking on the mountains and the sea
How lovely"

I'm not whining about it, but I wish there were a lot more selections included, some of the more famous Jobim staples such as "Wave," "One Note Samba" and "Desafinado." This is one magnificent CD to complement your Sinatra and Jobim collections. It so deserves to be in your music library.

* * * * * TEN STARS * * * * *

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Double the Pleasure, October 20, 2000

By 

Elizabeth Reams "Miss Elizabeth" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim (Audio CD)

Woah...this is one incredible album. Not only do you have Sinatra singing all sorts of different styles, but you've got the great Antonio Carlos Jobim accompaning him on classic guitar and occasionally singing along. "The Girl from Ipanema" is the best version I've heard. So sensual and classic. "I Concentrate on You" is one of the best on this album. It sounds like they really worked on this song, I'm sure it must have been complicated to sing all those different sharp chords. I seem to never get tired of hearing that song. And I keep playing this album, loving it more all the time. All different walks of life visit me, and each person is never disappointed with hearing any one of these songs when I put this on. It's the perfect cd to relax with, and have nice gatherings to as well. Even if one isn't a Sinatra fan, this will make you think twice about the genre...how unique it was, and how wonderful the music still is.