Quarteto Jobim Morelenbaum [Import]

Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 18, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Caravelas
• ASIN: B00006LW6X
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #242,501 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This quartet consists of cellist-arranger Jacques Morelenbaum, who played with Antonio Carlos Jobim on one of his last recordings, Passarim, before Jobim's death in 1994; his wife, vocalist Paula; Jobim's son, pianist Daniel; and his grandson Paulo on guitar. On this CD not only do they extend Jobim's legacy into the 21st century, but in this chamber format they highlight the softer side of Jobim's bossa nova blend of the Afro-Brazilian samba, jazz, and the French impressionist harmonies of Ravel and Debussy. Augmented by bass, drums, and percussion, the quartet delivers engaging and ethereal renditions of classic Jobim mid-'60s bossa nova standards including "Agua de Beber," "Ela e' Carioca," "Meditacão," and "Desafinado," sung by Paulo. The haunting "A Felicidade" and "Lamento no Morro" from Jobim's Academy Award-winning soundtrack to Black Orpheus are updated with taste and verve, especially in the balance between voice and instrumentation. Paulo Jobim's "Mantiqueira Range" is a direct descendant of his grandfather's harmonic genius, and it may prove to be an example of pleasant things to come from this stunning group. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Product Description

2000 release by a quartet of musicians who were closest to the late Brasilian master at the time of his death. Members includes Jobim's son, guitarist/vocalist Paulo Jobim, his grandson, pianist/vocalist Daniel Jobim, as well as cellist Jacques Morelenbaum and his wife, vocalist Paula Morelenbaum. This disc is a loving tribute to their lost father and friend and performed with the sort of passion that Jobim inspired in them.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sheer heaven, April 12, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Quarteto Jobim Morelenbaum (Audio CD)

Anyone with the slightest interest in Brazilian music should own this CD. It's dreamy and intense at the same time... the music is so compelling that it demands your full attention, no matter how many times you listen to it. A rare achievement.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TOM JOBIM WOULD BE PROUD OF THIS RECORDING..., October 27, 2001

By 

Larry L. Looney (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum (Audio CD)

Tom Jobim's incredible legacy could not have been more lovingly and fittingly preserved as in this recording. This stunningly talented group of musicians is uniquely qualified for this vital project -- it includes two members of his family [son Paulo on guitar and vocals, grandson Daniel on piano and vocals] and two stellar musicians who worked with Tom during his final years [Jacques Morelenbaum on cello and Paula Morelenbaum on vocals]. Together, they bring out all of the best qualities of Antonio Carlos Jobim's art -- the rhythms, the melodies, the spirit of his music -- without drowning it in over-arranged elevator music production values.

The recording here is as perfect as it could possibly be -- every instrument and voice is clearly heard. The arrangements are sparse and delicate, yet amazingly full at the same time. Aside from the musicians mentioned above, only light drums and percussion are added on these tunes -- and acoustic bass, only on three tracks. There is nothing to 'get in the way' -- the beauty of these songs shines through wonderfully.

There are several here that are Jobim classics -- but then, almost everything he wrote should probably be included in that category -- 'Aqua de beber', 'Meditacao', 'A felicidade', 'Corcovado', 'Desafinado', 'Aguas de Marco'. Every track on the cd is first-rate. My hope is that there are other collections to follow. The Quarteto has dedicated itself to Tom's music -- if there comes a time when this realm is expanded, I feel certain that the results will be just a enjoyable.

This cd would be absolutely perfect as a gift to introduce a friend to the wonders of Brazilian music...

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Jobim legacy is in good hands., December 17, 2000

By 

Kelvin S. Yew (Singapore Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum (Audio CD)

In the production of wine, the French subscribe to the concept of terroir, the cumulation of the geographical, and heriditary which best encapsulates the spirit of the product. One suspects that some terroir is alive and well in this album.

With the Jobim heirs (son Paulo on guitar and grandson Daniel on vocals and piano), and Paula and Jacques Morelenbaum on vocals and cello respectively this recent production captures the spirit of the bossa.

One significant improvement over A. C. Jobim's work is the notable absence of string embellishment used to death in the 60s (think Wes Montgomery), to be replaced by the very expressive and brooding organic feel of Morelenbaum's cello. J. Morelenbaum's expressive work is also heard more recently on Ryuichi Sakamoto's minimalist 1996 album.

That being said, the production is slick, and slightly lacking in the down to earth feel of A.C. Jobim's less rhythmic legato feel and Astrud Gilberto's "slightly off key" singing. The feel is very "on the money" and driving. Daniel's vocals hits you with a sense of deja vu... is that grandfather Jobim buried somewhere in his voice? Influences from this album range from the parent bossa to classical.

This is probably how A.C. Jobim would've launched the bossa wave if he decided to do so in this era. A superlative work which will liberate A.C. Jobim's work from the confines of elevator muzak.