Customer Reviews

Getz/Gilberto

5 star:		(107)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"First of all, I must say that this album is not all that bad. The songs are all good, though you need to understand Portuguese to really appreciate them. But having listened to a large chunk of João Gilberto's recorded output (and no Stan Getz beyond this album), this is a disappointing album." This how a reviewer named "Idiosyncrat" begins his review of this wonderful recording. The review goes on to get worse & all I can say is that I bought this as an LP sometime in the 60s. I have since worn it out & replaced it with this CD. It was recorded in New York in '63, & by '65 the bossa nova "craze" was over. But not for lovers of Latin-American jazz, (& Brazilian in particular) or jazz musicians like myself. I didn't read the whole review. It was very long for a review of someone who didn't like it. The "reviewer" who calls himself "Idiosyncrat" should shorten his username to "Idiot." Buy the CD, & see what you think. You won't be sorry. I must add that Amazon insists on calling me "The Ten Buck Store." I DO NOT sell for Amazon. My name is Jerry Dubinsky (not my stage name). I am a pro jazz guitarist. I wasn't going to write a review of this CD but after reading what this idiot had to say, I had to put in my 2 cents worth.

I have recently decided to review some of my purchases and may seem liberal with my stars, but am starting with some of my favourites so to be expected :) This record is wonderfully mastered and sounds fabulous. The collaborations between Joao Gilberto and Stan Gerz are well known and have never sounded so good. This SACD disc requires an SACD player as not of hybrid format, but I suspect the CD format very enjoyable as well. The clean presence and simple arrangements make you feel like you are sitting in front of Stan, Joao and Astrud in a studio session. Although I have heard the version of The Girl From Ipanema many times before the sound reproduction on this SACD is so clear and natural you can hear slight misses by Astrud Gilberto vocals that were not really apparent to me in before. This is not necessarily bad, it adds to the raw intimacy of the recording. All the tracks are great and you will find such classic favourites as Cocovado (quiet nights), Desafinado and of course the Girl From Ipanema... If you have an audiophile grade stereo setup, especially with SACD player, the listening experience will be nothing short of breathtaking... Enjoy. As an aside, Getz For Lovers is also a wonderful disc to consider if the Brazilian Gilberto Getz recipe appeals to you.

There is not much to say about this album that has not been said here by others. I will limit myself to endorsing "Getz/Gilberto" as a very pleasurable, if not earth-shatteringly important album.

First of all, I am amazed at its clear, atmospherically recorded sound. This disc is top of the line when it comes to sound.

As for the songs themselves--"The Girl From Ipanema" has become a standard. The other songs all showcase the genius of Getz and the marvelous playing of Gilberto. This is truly lovely music that exemplifies all that is best about the Bossa Nova style. One song in particular desrves more notice:

"Corcovado" is a gem that doesn't have half the fame of "The Girl From Ipanema." Yet, I would rank it right up there as one of the two great tunes on the disc. There is something about the almost introspective joy of this song that makes it music that is truly worthwhile.

I recommend this disc to anyone who likes lovely music. It may not change the world, but it is certainly nice to listen to every now and then.

I don't feel you need to understand the language to enjoy this CD. Whenever you see Getz\Gilberto you can be sure it will please.

The first bossa nova single to achieve international popularity was perhaps the most successful of all time, the Getz/Gilberto recording "The Girl From Ipanema". This 1964 song was edited to include only the singing of Astrud Gilberto, Gilberto's then wife. From the popularity of this song, the genre would then endure and withstand substantial "watering down" by popular artists throughout the next four decades.

I love this album, but when the recording studios decided to do a remastering of the original, I went out to purchase it. WHAT A DUD!!! The only songs worth listening to are "Girl from Ipanema", "So Danco Samba", and "Desafinado". LOTS OF HISS NOISES AND OTHER NASTY STUFF. Not worth the purchase for this one. I hope they decide to do another remastering.

Have owned two vinyl copies of this album. Wore out the first copy. Will probably buy the CD. I can't add too much to the previous reviews but let me add two words, 'Timeless & Elegant.'

I do not know a word of Portugese, but I can sing "The Girl From Impanema" by heart -- in Portugese. That's how many times I've played this album.

If you can and have the means to play it, get this in its original LP format. But the CD is most excellent as well, and if you haven't ever heard it, I encourage you to buy it right now; you won't be disappointed.

This will just be a short review..this CD is absolutely wonderful. I am not going to compare it to anything...I'm not even going to try and describe it other than to say it brings me an incredible amount of joy. It's sexy cool, it's flippin' hot.

It's just right for a night of loving.

My only complaint is that it is too short...but maybe that's the genius of it because it made me crave other music by both Getz and Gilberto.

So I'm going to let you stop reading and let you purchase this beautiful recording.

I owe it, always love it from the very first time I heard it back in Paris in 70s. It's timeless, elegant and soothing. Buy it.