Antonio Carlos Jobim Music

Strange you should mention Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto in this review and leave out Joao Gilberto. It is true that Tom Jobim is a musical genius, wrote many of the songs that we identify as bossa nova, and is one of only two musicians that I know of to have an international airport named after him (the other is Louis Armstrong). But Joao is generally considered to be the inventor of the particular style that came to be called bossa nova [...].

So by all means buy and listen to anything by Tom Jobim, but be sure to buy and listen to anything by Joao Gilberto also.

Listening to this compilation gave me the chills at first, but it was also an introduction for me into Jobim's work and Bossa Nova in general (though this is cetainly to Bossa Nova per se, don't get me wrong). After I started exploring other recordings and returned to this CD, I realized that it's not that great after all, flawed actually. Buying better headphones didn't increase my appreciation for the mastering either.

I first heard this CD at a friend's house about eight years ago, then heard it again about a year or two after that and absolutely fell in love. Since then, I've moved and re-moved, lost/broke this CD few times, bought new ones, and now it's in my ipod as a favorite! The music is relaxing, uplifting, and Jobim's voice is truly soothing: a true soundtrack for a warm and misty evening stroll through the streets of downtown NYC.

I love Bossa Nova music. Playful, fun, peaceful. It took a flower sellers insight to tell Antonio Carlos Jobim that he was destined for greater things. It took a flower seller to see the genius of the man and the music. We have loved it ever since.

For those beginning to explore the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Bossa Nova in general, 'Antonio Carlos Jobim's Finest Hour' is a nice first album. The classic versions of "Girl From Ipanema", "Corcovado" and "Desafinado" with Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto are included with this compilation, but the best material on this CD are the tracks from Jobim's 1963 'The Composer of Desafinado, Plays' album, which are beautiful instrumental versions of his best-known compositions, complete with Claus Ogerman's lush orchestra. Some might think that these particular tracks sound like "Elevator Music", but listen carefully and you'll find a depth of emotion and beauty in Jobim's spare, haunting piano playing and sideman Jimmy Cleveland's trombone solos that will change your preconceptions about lush orchestral music.

One Warning: 'Antonio Carlos Jobim's Finest Hour' has a mislabeled track, "O Morro Nao Tem Vez (AKA Favela)" is actually "Amor Em Paz ("Once I Loved"). Both tracks are from the "The Composer of Desafinado, Plays" album. The latter is the more popular song, but "O Morro Nao Tem Vez" is one of the most underrated songs Jobim ever wrote and a masterpiece in its own right. The remainder of the songs on 'Finest Hour' come from Jobim's other albums dating from the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. These tracks do not have the same wondrous beauty as those earlier, 1960s-era cuts, (hence the four star rating) but are still worth your undidvided attention.

I was throwing out my old VHS tapes and I prayed that this great performance was on DVD and I'm so glad it was. Jobim was one of the greatest song writers we ever had, on the same level with Gershwin and Cole Porter. This performance is a living tribute to his brilliance. I know we all miss him. I'm sure he's creating music wherever he is.

"Tom" Jobim died only a few months after this concert, so it was one of his last performances. He was truly a legend and if you love music you really need to acquaint yourself with his. Beautifully complex rhythms and harmonies that do not wear thin with repeated listening--the hallmark of great music. Even without understanding the lyrics his music evokes combinations of deep emotions, including a sad/sweet longing that has no English translation from the Portuguese. I'll not mention all of the artists that appear in this concert, but only draw your attention to Gal Costa, who has become one of my favorite Brazilian singers. Check out her earlier CDs. You will not be disappointed!

Before watching this DVD I had never heard of Gal Costa. What a pleasant surprise to see her perform. Antonio himself appears in this one for Luiza and Wave: very nice. I couldn't appreciate John Henricks performance, too much scatting and not very good. That's just my opinion. Gonzalo Rubalcaba didn't impress me either. For me, the real standout performance was by Gal Costa. She does very cool A Felicidade with Herbie; and then an amazing So Todos Fossem Iguais a Voce. Also, Herbie is an amazing keyboard player. It is as though the instrument is part of him. Buy it!

It was a great honor to see this event on DVD. This event is a post-cardio-problem concert of Mr. Jobim. He still held his hands steadily and played beautifully while entertaining us for a short while during the tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim. He played remarkably well and one could see that he was trying to maintain his haltar on his side rib/chest area. [I remembered in 1990 he had suffered a heart attack and his concert was in jeopardy of being cancelled; however, he tended to the all-star gala in 1991! I was preparing to see him.]

I am mostly proud of all of the band members: Mr. HERBIE HANCOCK [a true and fine pianist of our era], OSCAR CASTRO NEVES, the ever delightful Miss SHIRLEY HORN, Mr. GONZALO RUBALCABA [remarkable pianist], GAL COSTA (what a delight she was in this concert! Her voice raw and purified as fine river water flowing from las montañas de Copa!!), Mr. JON HENDRICKS (My Satchmo the 2nd, his voice as crisp as his sailor hat), RON CARTER (a fine bassist as always, mimicking Mr. Eddie Calhoun)and other fine deliciously in-tune musicians. They ALL WERE REMARKABLE!! I AM PROUD TO HAVE PURCHASED THIS EVENT ON DVD. Thanks once more to all who have assisted in making this a dream for me to have in my possession forever and ever... Thank you. **AB**

If you're wary of the typical "all-star tribute"--the protracted, over-the-top, star-studded, greatest hits extravaganza that manages to leave you unable to watch another minute but somehow still hungry for more--you owe it to yourself to set aside your misgivings and experience this concert. Although you will hear some of Jobim's greatest hits, you'll also be treated to a few not-so-well-known songs that deserve to be better known, like "Olha Maria," performed solo by pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and "Luiza," performed by Tom Jobim himself, who takes the stage mid-concert with no introduction. In fact, his entrance pretty much sums up the unassuming, sophisticated style that made Jobim and his music so special--he simply walks out, greets the band and the audience, sits down at the piano, and plays and sings. Marred only by careless film editing that sometimes shows close-ups of musicians obviously playing something other than what you're hearing, this program is a beautiful, bittersweet "good-bye" to Jobim, who continues to leave us hungry for more.