Customer Reviews

Joao Donato

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

 

 

This is really a Deodato record, Joao Donato having laid down basic keyboard tracks and promptly hightailed it back to Brazil, leaving Deodato and studio players to flesh out the rest. My dad used to play this record all the time when I was a kid, so I have a sentimental attachment to it, although I could see somebody not really caring for it. No matter, Joao Donato is an awesome pianist-composer-arranger whose best work is mostly unavailable (he's a jazz musician who accidentally pioneered bossa in the mid-50s and then moved to California where he played with all the Latin-jazz elite). Look for the Japanese imports of "Bud Shank & His Brazilian Friends" (1964) and "Quem E Quem" (1973), and petition Blue Thumb/Universal to reissue 1970's scandalously funky "A Bad Donato."

This is more a Eumir Deodato CD with his fresh and delicious arrangements. The original title was "Donato Deodato". Donato is one the big Bossa Nova composers and extraordinary pianist; and he plays piano on all tracks. This CD is another Bossa Nova gem from the Muse Records extraordinary catalog.

If you like Deodato's albums (Prelude, Whirlwinds, Deodato 2 etc...) you will ABSOLUTELY LOVE this album. It is a joint effort from Joao Donato and Eumir Deodato (despite the misleading title)

It came about because Joao Donato needed some money. He wrote some music and played some piano and then after being payed he left. The record company then put the works into Deodato's hands and he assembled a band and arranged and played on the album as well.

The 6 cuts are way similar to regular Deodato music, moreso than Joao Donato music. If he had souped up a classical or big band song then it would be a clone of his regular albums.

For awesome jazz instrumentals specially good for reading books to, BUY THIS CD!!!

I have Had this album on vynyl long before it was ever on CD. I enjoyed mostly all the cuts except the first one," Whistle Stop." I found Deodato's keyboard work and arrangements in the past to be very innovative and when mixed with Donato's musical genius, it hadds a nice fusion of horns and orchestration similar to some of Jobim's arrangements. Very tropical and easy to listen to, the rythym really cooks and flows nicely , especially on "Where's J.D.?" <My favorite piece> I wish these two would make more recordings together. Eumir Deodato has arranged some nice pieces in the past and it is enjoyable to experience his work here. I give it two thumbs up.

I don't care how it was done -- just mighty happy it was! So what if Joao laid down the basis and Deodado went from there...? Still, the end result was dynamite. Humor galore!