Customer Reviews

In Tokyo

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

And I mean this in a good way. I own a number of Gilberto's albums, and this one shocked me like none of them did. The phrasing is radically different from most any other rendition of the same songs I've heard from him. This is something Gilberto is famous for, but at least I think this one album is the most striking one I've heard so far in this regard from him. (I haven't heard the 1996 Umbria Jazz recording yet, though.)

The sound is much, much clearer than the Montreux or Ao Vivo live albums, and the applause isn't as loud. The sequencing is done very well, no noticeable gaps between tracks.

I do think the performance of "Bolinha de Papel" is not very good.

Recorded about 18 years after Joao Gilberto's wonderful "Live In Montreux" album, the new "In Tokyo" comes close to equaling the supreme and simple beauty of the earlier classic. I personally think 5-star ratings should be reserved for things that really DESERVE the highest rating. Even my top favorite artists only produced a couple of items each that are 5-star worthy. "Live In Montreux" was a definite 5-star. Some might feel an entire concert recording with just one singer alone with his guitar would get boring, but with Mr. Gilberto, his soft vocals, gently strummed guitar, and those lovely bossa nova songs are enchanting, even mesmerizing.

Joao was about 73 years old at the time In Tokyo was made, but his style of singing is one where the effects of age are not too noticeable. Only on "Pra Que Discutir com Madame?" does he appear to get a bit lost, and there are a couple of minor stumbles elsewhere, but overall this CD is a great listening experience. There aren't quite as many "hits" here (see In Montreux for songs like "Girl From Ipanema" and "A Felicidade") but it's still a relatively magical performance.

All so to say none-cariocas will love it as well. A fabulous live recording, full of joy, calm and melancholy. In Brasil, they probably would call it "saudade". Besides that, it sounds excellent. Just Mr. Gilberto's smooth voice and rhythmically astonishing, always tastefull and timeless guitar arrangements. A musical must!

Live and created in an environment rich with fans... good recording. Excellent material from another of the brilliant Gilberto family... recommended...

...it really is inspiring to hear Joao still traveling down this solitary path, so many decades later.

It's rare that one musician becomes the catalyst for an entirely new genre of music -- Bill Monroe is really the only other example I can think of -- and that is what Gilberto was to the bossa nova. Here, on a simply-but-clearly recorded set from Tokyo, Joao shows that no amount of hipster butt-kissing, e-z-listening schmaltz, or fern-bar cheezballs can have any impact whatsoever on what is still his own personal voyage. The delicacy and poignancy in his music has only grown over the years, and this is a tremendously vulnerable, bittersweetly wounded performance that is soulful yet sophisticated, weary yet resilient.

Joao's pivotal early recordings are out of print, unfortunately, due to his own widely-publicized cantankerousness. I'm not sure this is the best place for a newcomer to start, as he does take some remarkable liberties with phrasing and such. In the context of his career as a whole, they make more sense than they do being heard by fresh ears...but I think, when it comes down to it, any one can enjoy and appreciate this set.

I will whine a little about the packaging...the Japanese pressing of this, which was available a couple of months before the US edition, has great liner notes, cool textured paper inserts, full lyrics, and complete set lists from his Japanese tour dates. This has...very little, printed on boring glossy stock. But I guess we should be thankful that it came out in the US at all!

This is one of the better live recordings of Joao Gilberto, and is a nice companion to the Live in Montreux album released in 1987. He may just be one man with a guitar, but his performances recorded live here at Tokyo International Forum Hall in September 2003 demonstrate Gilberto's vibrancy and easygoing approach toward music. The acoustic nature of the performances can become monotonous at times, but taken in proper doses this is an excellent album. Joao Gilberto in Tokyo belongs on the shelf of bossa nova enthusiasts everywhere.

...not so good as "Amoroso"("Sweety") and "Joćo"!

Joćo Gilberto is a living legend but his bad humor is frequent although His Voice lingers on!

He is very gentle and kind with the chords of his guitar "as cordas do meu violćo*". He is a perfeccionist!

Like Caetano Veloso sings in "Pra Ninguźm" of the CD "Livro"("Book") "Better than the Silence... only Joćo"

The Best voice in Brazil Still is His!

*in "Corcovado - Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars"

Songs from Gilberto are so beautiful. I admire his hum and Bossa Nova rhythm. It is harmony,relaxing and inspiring. The concert atmosphere makes the songs more powerful and expecting. I wish I were in that concert.

Songs from Gilberto are so beautiful. I admire his hum and Bossa Nova rhythm. It is harmony,relaxing and inspiring. The concert atmosphere makes the songs more powerful and expecting. I wish I were in that concert.