Short description
This 23-track collection of Jobim bossa nova material is beautifully assembled and remastered on England's Wrasse label. The contents of this package are for the most part classics with few surprises, but the sequencing and the accent on vocal performances is attractive. The songs range from 1963's "O Morro Não Tem Vez," with Astrud Gilberto, and 1974's "Águas de Março," with Elis Regina, to "Saudade de Bahia," with Dorival Caymmi and Jobim himself in 1964. There are many cuts here from the mid-'60s. There are tracks with Stan Getz in 1964 ("Desafinado") and again in 1967's "So Danço Samba," with Getz, George Duvivier, Jobim, Luiz Bonfá, Jose Carlos, and Tommy Williams with vocalist Maria Toledo. The beautiful "Passarim" from 1986 showcases Jobim in large company (ten pieces) with some of his country's greatest musicians, including Caymmi and Sebastian Neto, as well as the great drummer Paolo Braga. The strangest thing here is a version of "Chega de Suadade," recorded at the Free Jazz Festival in Brazil with Jon Hendricks, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Harvey Mason, Alex Acuña, and Oscar Castro-Neves -- no Jobim in sight. Those coming to Jobim for the first time have many collections to choose from, to be sure, but this one has the original versions of his tunes, beautiful sound, great liner notes, and 70 minutes of music that are a deep introduction to the composer, guitarist, and singer. ~ Thom Jurek