Joao Gilberto Music

I've probably listened to this album more times than any other over the years. It was my introduction to the wonderful "Waters of March," which has since become more popular. I love the fact that the album contains lesser known but great Jobim tunes. Also, I'm a saxophonist, and the more I listen to Stan Getz's solos, the more I realize that they're perfectly constructed gems of melodic development - no running the chord changes here. His building of a solo is really an education: so personal, lyrical yet tough, his pace, use of dynamics, dramatic rises and falls. This is my favorite Brazilian/jazz album. Get it, you'll love it. By the way, this CD production could be improved - no personnel are listed, for one, unlike the original LP.

I knew a lady whom Joao stayed with her family (she was 13 at the time)during the recording of this record. She said that Joao was furious when he heard the mix. There is Joao, understated and superbly craftsmanly and self-contained, then the sax solos kick in at a level that seems twice as loud as Joao's performance, as if he were a blank pad for scribbling saxophone- a disgusting display of egotism and lack of respect. I give this 3 stars because I worship Joao, but through no fault of his own, this is his worst record.

This also has been a favorite of mine for thirty years. There are flaws but also many gems. Getz may have been in a bad way but his solos flow perfectly with the music. Gilberto is a joy as always.

I don't think the playing is as poor as others have claimed, but the production quality is just miserable. I can't believe that Columbia can't re-master this and at least take out the most obvious flaws in volume, "muddy-ness," etc. I'd be happy to buy it again if it sounded better!

After "Getz/Gilberto" the second best selling Jazz album of all time behind "Kind of Blue", the record companies were anxious for another golden egg.

However this is one of the worst periods in Stan Getz life, the 70's. Personal problems, and he was locked in the the bitterest divorce case in history, went to the Supreme Court! Things added to his orange juice...

Joao Gilberto also has a good reason to have a grudge against Getz but it doesn't show here, he is as mellow as usual. A trooper. His singing and guitar & Heloise hold the day, while Getz pretty much phones it in. What's good on this album comes from him.

For better Getz, pick any other decade or his life. For some reason all of the Getz Columia recordings are really bass thin and harsh. This one is less so, but no exception.

See my list for many better Getz recordings.

Joao Gilberto opens up a new world. He came from "out of nowhere", Juazeiro a small town in the Brazilian state of Bahia. With his small voice, off-kilter guitar rythms and person-to-person singing Joao opened up a state-of-grace here on earth.