Customer Reviews

Joao Gilberto

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Sometimes referred to as The White Album (one of the few modern artists whose greatness can withstand comparison to that of the Beatles), this album was recorded sometime around 1970. Only Joao and a drummer are present, though then-girlfriend Miucha appears on one song. Somehow this album stands apart from all his others--maybe because it is so sparse, yet many of the numbers are up-tempo. He runs through "Eu Vim da Bahia" five times and makes it definitive. He brings a new and unexpected phrasing to "Aguas de Marco." He is at his most playful on "Eu Quero um Samba". And three tunes virtually do away with words altogether--"Undiu" finds him hypnotically chanting the title word, "Valsa" finds him humming a lullaby to his daughter, and an astonishing instrumental version of "Na Baixa do Sapateiro" finds him at his most dexterous on the guitar. It's a near-perfect album.

In my opinion, this is probably Gilberto's finest work. His playing is so spare and seemingly simple, but really so intense. His vocals are just above a whisper yet he manages to swing and exude so much emotion. The recording quality is also excellent. You simply must hear this music to understand how enriching the album is.

Simply put, the most "progressive" recording available from "O MESTRE DA BOSSA NOVA",this cd is a MUST for all bossa enthusiasts.-- SPECIFICALLY for musicians who wish to study & learn "O JEITINHO",the trick to playing guitar in the style revolutionized by Seu Gilberto! This recording is very spare (guitar, bass & percussions) The listener is captivated not by lush orchestrations nor distracted by overproduction--the interplay of Joćo's guitar in counterpoint to the quirky vocal delivery is amazing to hear ! This is especially evident on this rendition of "AGUAS DO MARCO",the Jobim standard. Caetano's "Avarandando" is a whisper in the wind--"que maravilha! " dont miss this one, it can go back out of print at any time! 1

I agree with the reviewer who stated that this music can not be referred to in the traditional 'bossa/samba' mode; although, both are present in Joao's playing here. "Eu Quero Um Samba" is, in my opinion, one of the finest examples of Joao playing his 'voz' straight off of the 'violao' and obtaining a groove that goes beyond voice, guitar, and lyric. It is that "spot" to which Jobim alluded that is reached then. "Aguas de Marco" is Joao's own masterful version of Jobim's masterpiece. Miles Davis once said that Joao would sound good reading the newspaper. This is a compliment to one of the great romantic vocalists of our time from arguably the same on trumpet. Interestingly, for a comparison of some of these same tunes, many of the same songs are on the "Best of Both Worlds" recording with Stan Getz, which was released in 1976, and features Chico Buarque's sister - Heloisa - on English vocals. I have to admit to liking "Izaura" much better on the CD I am now reviewing: Joao changes the harmony on the bridge here and the effect is electric. On the "Both Worlds" recording, Getz was either improperly recorded or having a tough time, since "the Sound" just is not there. That said, he does grab a hold of some great licks - especially on "Falsa Bahiana". No, I will not review that here, but it makes me wonder if perhaps Joao was not quite satisfied with the 1976 effort...seeing that many of the tunes are re-done, and done better, frankly, on this recording.

This was recorded in 1973. It's one of the few records that changed my life, twisted my head around. Joćo doesn't sound, at first, as if he's doing anything. There seems to be no modulation, no color. Then you begin to hear the beauty behind the repetition, the soul, and the cunning of a true artist. There aren't too many people who could be so completely traditional and so completely weird at the same time. Gilberto is a fantastic guitar player, and he swings. A lot of people regard this as the greatest Brazilian music recording ever made; at the very least, it's one of the two or three definitive bossa nova records.

This record certainly represents a high water mark in the career of one of the world's great musicians. Gilberto's singing and guitar playing in the spare, zen-like setting communicate pure swing--the kind of bouyant feeling found in only the best work by greats such as Jimmy Blanton or Charlie Christian. The peak of achivement might be "Eu Quero Um Samba" or "Eu Vim Da Bahia" or the famous "Aguas De Marēo." You will discover your own favorites. My wish would be for a company to bring this thing out on 180 gm vinyl with careful re-mastering and pressing. I also wouldn't mind some discographical details. Yum. But in the meantime, this CD sounds very good since it is AAD. Buy it and enjoy!

What can I say, this album is breathtaking. Totally worth the money. With jsut Joao and his guitar, each song is pensive and intimate. Especially hearing him sing a solo version of Aguas de Marco was the best.

luscious.
exquisite.
to me this music is sexual. erotic. sensual to the extreme, tenderness, sweetness, the body in its joy, as in pure happiness, lovemaking. This album has brought me to tears more than once, tears of pleasure, yearning and joy.
so I am gushing. I don't care. Listen with your heart and with your skin.

This is simply one of the most hauntingly beautiful recordings I have ever heard.

After I had read the previous reviews and I had listened into the songs, I decided to buy this album. It is fantastic: Gilberto concentrates on the essential, the music is not overcrowded. It is stunning, sublime. What else could I say? Listen and go for it.