#81: Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto (1963)

Interesting enough, this album was written primarily by the pianist on the record: Antonio Carlos Jobim. Getz / Gilberto helped to popularize the bossa nova style and it even won several grammys including 'Album of the Year' and 'Record of the Year' with 'The Girl From Ipanema'. For history's sake and because I found it interesting: The winners for 'Best New Artist' was The Beatles and the winner for 'Best Comedy Performance' went to Bill Cosby.

Girl From Ipanema
What is it about this song that just lulls me to sleep? I mean that with the most admiration possible. It takes me back to when I first heard it and it's kind of a warm blanket from my past. The sound is incredible warm and the very small sprinkles on the piano just add a little on top to it. It features the vocals of Ms. Astrud Gilberto, and though she's not a classically trained vocalist it does wonders for this song making it seem just a little more foreign.


Corcovado
This is the only other track that Astrud Gilberto is featured on and while the previous track may have really launched her career, this track shows that it was no fluke. It's not too far of a departure from 'Ipaema' and it provides a lot of the same characteristics: warmth, small sprinkles from other instruments, a blend of vocals and sax. The intro really is worth listening to, it's a pretty drastic change from the rest of the album: just piano and vocals.

So Danco Samba
Not enough has been said yet about Joao Gilberto (The Gilberto of Getz/Gilberto). Joao Gilberto plays guitar throughout the record while his wife Astrud Gilberto was a vocalist on a few tracks. Joao helped really pioneer the bossa nova movement. His guitar work throughout the album is superb and really holds the foundation down. Without something this solid Getz wouldn't be able to whisper sweet nothings in your ear.

All in all, it's another Stan Getz album. I hate to put it that way but I don't really find the differences between his albums to be all that different. I enjoy it the same way I enjoy many jazz albums, I'll listen to it in the background but there's just not enough to keep my interest just sitting and listening. It's very well done and if you're looking for something relaxing - this would be a good place to start.

Tomorrow's album: Sara Bareillies' Little Voice.