Customer Reviews

The Man From Ipanema

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

one of those rare, stream-of-consciousness listening experiences that takes you to that quiet place inside yourself. The playful, provocative, effortless romance of Jobim makes this a must-have for your collection. My first experience with it was on a 3 and 1/2 hour road trip, driving in the rain alone. The time seemed to pass in minutes. Having arrived at my destination, I was tempted to turn around and go back, just to extend the moment. The booklet, the interviews, even the unique wrappers around each CD were obviously done by someone in love with the man and his music. This box set wasn't created to make money but to honor the life-work of a master. Please don't let the price slow you down. This collection is extraordinary in every way.

Simply beautiful, brilliant music. If the idea of spending 40 or 50 dollars for this set puts you off, please don't let it. The more Jobim, the better, and the 3 CDs is nowhere near exhausting or overkill. Even the last CD, which has multiple versions of his most famous songs, is varied enough that you don't even notice. If you've never owned a Jobim record or even if you've only heard of him, this is really the very best way to start, even better than just a single Lp. After getting this, you'll only want more; as well as more music from Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto, Astrud Gilberto and Elis Regenta as well.

Bossa nova is probably one of the most amazing musical genres out there. It is timeless and priceless (so don't care about the big price tag on this cd) because it will continue to give you more and more pleasure. This 3 disc "book" set serves up quite a nice portion of classic Jobim songs sung by himself along with his collaborators such as Joao Gilberto, Astrud Gilberto, and Elis Regina and Stan Getz on sax. Disc 1 is probably the most listenable in one sitting since there are 23 different beautiful songs. Disc 2 is good to put on when you're doing some cleaning. Disc 3 is great because you get to see how different singers add different elements to the same song. Whether you're a new or old fan of bossa nova, you need to add this to your collection.

This compilation and the care with which it was put together by Oscar Castro-Neves, himself one of the finest Bossa Nova/Samba masters alive, is a joy. The interviews and photographs, provided by Creed Taylor, Gene Lees, and Ana Lentra Jobim are delightful, as is the spiral-bound booklet which is presented in Brazilian motif. In a 3 CD compilation of an entire career such as this, there are bound to be tracks that not everyone likes. I have read where some listeners are put off by the way in which Castro-Neves presents tracks of the same song over different periods and artists in a 'back-to-back(-to-back') segue - indeed, a few of the Astrud Gilberto tracks sound to me like chalk on a blackboard coming on the heels of such a master singer as Elis Regina - however, I find the contrast to be enlightening as well as entertaining. I am also willing to bet that even the greatest lovers of Jobim find a moment or two on this compilation which they have not yet heard, or have perhaps forgotten..and it will be worth the price of admission, which I grant may be a bit steep for some. The "Aguas de Marco" out-takes at the conclusion of Disc 3 are, along with the gorgeous booklet and sleeves, in my opinion, worth the price of the 3 CD package. You will be taken on a Jobim ride throughout: from the Getz/Gilberto session all the way up until Jobim, alone with Pat Matheny, live. Even if you only find two-thirds of the tracks to your liking, this is a loving tribute to a musical genious who certainly deserves every bit of it.

Not only is this the best collection of Jobim's endlessly gratifying music, it's one of the most beautiful CD packages ever put together. In an age where most CD's are hastily thrown into poorly designed cases, this is truly a collector's item -- each CD paper sleeve is cut into fish and other shapes for their respective CD's. The liner notes are great, you'll find out everything about Jobim's recording and life -- they just don't make them like this anymore. And did I mention that the music is positively mind-altering? Order this immediately, wait for a rainy day, sit down on your coach and spin all three CD's. Time will fly by and you will emerge purified.

When I received the boxed set, I noticed that disc 3 contains four versions of The Girl from Ipanema. At first I wondered why, then, after listening, I was left wanting 12 versions! This music is fantastic! And I never knew I would be wowed by packaging, but it is beautiful. A great find.

This is truly a magnificent collection. Others have mentioned the cool packaging but it's the music that's, by turns, sad, beautiful, and uplifting. It's a great way to get to know "Tom" Jobim and his wonderful collaborators, especially Elis Regina, a magnificent vocalist - I'd pay the full price just for their two renditions of Aguas de Marco (Waters of March) - the studio outake is wonderful.

I finally took these CDs out of my car CD player to keep me from "overlistening" to them and ruining future enjoyment.

Wonderful.

This CD set is simply a must for any dicophile. If you have at list 3 CDs and do not have these 3, you are missing on some of most intelligent, simple, emotional, swinging, cool, hot, you-name-it latino music ever written. Period.

I especially liked the different recordings and interpretations in CD 3. Not to mention the "bonus" at the end of the last track on the same CD. The bonus is some "dry" studio recordings of Águas de Março. If there wasn't for 'retransfer' of analogue tape, I'd swear that the girl was sitting right next to me.

Recordings and mixing is different on each track (after all, it's a compilation), but you can hear which have been recorded with the same team. Some tracks are "extreme stereo", which was popular in the early days of "stereo", therefore there is not much sense of real space around performers. But that's a 'trade mark' of the old style. If you want audiophile grade stuff, buy Ana Caram recordings from Chesky records.

A true classic, that makes my eyes wet every time. Thank you, Jobim.

This was my first Antonio Carlos Jobim album, in fact it was my first real Bossa Nova album (its not exactly an album, but my first Brazilian Jazz CD anyhow). After this one I've heard and bought some other Bossa Nova albums by the Gilberto pair and Jobim himself only to find out that most of the songs were already present in this collection.
Let me tell you one thing, this collection is a must if you like this genre. If you're a hardcore fan, you'll surely want more, but this contains all the essencials from Jobim and Joao Gilberto, and much much more.
The first disc is simply the "big hits" (if it may be called so) of Jobim and company (featuring Stan Getz on many).
The second disc has the best cuts of Jobim's solo works "Tide" and "Wave". I've bought both seperately, they are both amazing, and this one simply has the finest cuts out of them. These cuts are so beautiful and emotional that surely words cannot express them. The former reviewer who said this disc was nice listening to while doing some housework hasn't obviously given this any serious listening.
The third disc has many rare versions of famous Jobim works, and in addition to that some of those works in their original forms such as Desafinado, Corcovado and Vivo Sonhando. I believe this disc would be of most interest to serious fans of the genre.
All in all, this is a great collection, and should be sufficient for most people since it really captivates the best moments of Jobim in particular and Bossa Nova in general.
A best buy in my opinion for anyone who likes this genre, ranging from amatuer to serious listeners.

The organization of this set was really nice. The inside essays and track notes were awesome. I enjoyed hearing different versions of songs. This is an essential for any Jobim/bossa nova fan!!!