#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.

#65: Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd - Jazz Samba (1962)

Let it be known that this was the album that caused the scoring system to break. It was night time, on the beach, fireworks going off over the nearby pier, and the water barely hitting my feet. Perfect conditions for drinking a beer and enjoying some music. Still this album failed to get me going. I had a hard time rating this as high as other albums I enjoyed just out of sheer recognition of how well it was made.

I enjoy this music, don't get me wrong. Stan Getz has a sax sound that is absolutely his, when I hear it - I know it's him and I'm always happy to hear it. However when listening to this album as a focal point - the samba becomes wearisome. It's easy to do other things while listening and in fact, that's the only way I can enjoy it.

The bass particularly is my favorite instrument across the recordings (aside from Getz). It has such a round, large tone to it that is ideal for carrying a Samba. Coming in a close second is Mr. Charlie Byrd on the guitar. I really enjoyed his pickings and his voicings, he added a lot to the music without having to be the focal point.  While both gentleman may share top billing on the album, it's clearly Getz that grabs your ear and holds it the longest.

All in all, I can truly appreciate why Getz is called "The Sound". I love putting on Getz while I'm doing other things, it's excellent background music. It, unfortunately, fails to keep my attention - and I'm not saying it should. There's a place in music for all different types, just what Mr. Getz brings to the table is not what I'm looking for. There's no denying this is incredibly well made music and it belongs on the list of '1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die'.

Tomorrow's album: Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full