Customer Reviews

Jobim: Someone to Light Up My Life

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The man who first played the music of Jobim in the United States has produced a new album of that music with two Brazilian percussionists. As with Gene's other albums, it is supremely easy to listen to while allowing further study because of its elegant complexity. Laypersons will enjoy its beauty and rhythm, while musicians will be dumbfounded by the musicianship and chordal choices by Mr. Bertoncini. Subtle, intellectual and masterful.

I recently "discovered" Gene Bertoncini by accident when I was searching for covers of the Jobim tune "Double Rainbow." What a find! He's an amazing guitarist and he covers many of the most famous Jobim compositions on this lovely album. I am a guitarist and a Jobim-lover, and so this album is an unexpected treasure.

The orchestration is very simple: it's Bertoncini playing a gut-stringed guitar, backed by light rhythm instruments. The recording quality is good. The arrangements are harmonic masterpieces, and yet they never overpower or drown the essential compositional structure. Classical and jazz guitarists alike will take special delight in Bertoncini's work.

A rough comparison for the sound of this album would be to say it's like a Joe Pass playing Jobim tunes on a gut-string guitar. A critic quoted on Gene's own website says he is the "Segovia of jazz."

I have this album "Burned" on to my laptop at work. Every time I hear one of the pieces from this album, I have to stop what I am doing and listen. If you are some who likes bossa nova and samba styles, then this is a MUST HAVE. If you are a guitarist who likes Brazilian styles, then this album is to die for.

I will certainly be looking to buy other Bertoncini albums, and I hope he decides to tour the Pacific Northwest sometime!

Gene Bertoncini os one of the great classical and jazz guitarists around. The young wannabe artists should take lessons from Gene. He has a lot to give others. Truly a wonderful man and artist. I especially love the latin/Jobim music he plays. I remember him at Johnny Carson's NYC tonight show band with Skitch Henderson and Doc Severinsen.

Gene Bertoncini is a crisp, elegant, evocative guitarist. This album masterfully presents Jobim in a fresh and enlightened manner. A gorgeous album from a great musician!