Product Description

Astrud Gilberto's entry in the nicely appointed Verve Jazz Masters compilation series shows exactly why the Brazilian singer is deserving of such an accolade. In her '60s heyday, Gilberto was often derided by jazz purists for her vibrato-less "desafinado" (deliberately slightly off-pitch) singing style and deadpan, childlike voice. But the diminutive bossa nova star has since been a huge influence on dozens of jazz and pop singers.
VERVE JAZZ MASTERS is less of a greatesthits package than it is a smartly balanced retrospective ofmany of Gilberto's best performances. Her biggest hits, "Call Me" and "Summer Samba", are not included, and her signature tune, "The Girl From Ipanema", is only represented by a live take from a 1964 Carnegie Hall concert. The collection places equal emphasis on Gilberto's bossa nova-style interpretations of jazz standards and on her signature Portuguese-language sambas. The smartly packaged CD also features remastered sound and several rare photographs.

Track Listing

1. Dreamer
2. The Girl From Ipanema
3. Once Upon A Summertime
4. A Felicidade
5. A Certain Sadness - Astrud Gilberto, Walter Wanderley Trio
6. Water To Drink
7. Frevo
8. Corcovado (Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars) - Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto
9. Dindi
10. Look To The Rainbow
11. Day By Day
12. The Shadow Of Your Smile - Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto
13. (Take Me To) Aruanda
14. Gentle Rain
15. Tristeza
16. Berimbau

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #121255 in Music
• Released on: 1993-10-12
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 44 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Astrud Gilberto's voice, devoid of vibrato or any other vocal effects, has always conveyed the impression of artless innocence. The impression is reinforced when the accompaniment is provided by some of the most sophisticated musicians jazz has ever known, such as Stan Getz or Gil Evans. This compilation from her 1960s heyday draws heavily on her two best albums, the gorgeous Getz/Gilberto of 1963, (including the essential "Girl From Ipanema") which seriously challenged the Beatles for top album slot and remained in the charts for an amazing 96 weeks, and the less well-known but phenomenally accomplished Look To The Rainbow. Evans' orchestrations for this compare with his celebrated settings for Miles Davis. Outstanding tracks in an exceptionally well chosen selection include "Dindi", "The Shadow Of Your Smile" and "Aruanda". --Dave Gelly