Getz / Gilberto

Flawless

Benign as it gets, but that's exactly why it's so revered and enjoyable.

This is exactly how I love my jazz: calming and charming as fuck. None of that phallus waving, virtuosic, instrument jerking stuff. Just pure mind wandering with great musicianship, as it's displayed here.

Its approach can be enjoyed by those who dislike the instrument jerking that jazz can sometime be, but can also be approved by those into more intricate stuff due to its simple nature and how much it conveys with just a few simple licks.

I will not include the bonus 45 rpm versions of "The Girl from Impanema" and "Corvocado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)" in this review.

I feel like a lineage of albums came together in my journey. About a year and a half ago, I listened to Jazz Samba from American saxophonist Stan Getz, a collaboration he did with American guitarist Charlie Byrd that signaled the beginning of the bossa nova craze in America. Then there's Brazilian guitarist, singer, and composer João Gilberto, whom I may not have heard before. But I certainly listened to his daughter Bebel on her acclaimed album Tanto Tempo, produced by Suba, before his untimely passing. I found it fascinating that these records, decades apart, are linked by this collaboration record between Getz and Gilberto.

However, there is one other key player in this collaboration, someone who may not have had top billing, but was nevertheless integral. That would be Brazilian pianist and composer Antônio Carlos Jobim. Not only did he compose two of the songs on Jazz Samba, including the returning "Desafinado", but he would compose most of the songs on the album, assume piano duties, and act as a mediator between Getz and Gilberto as tensions flared between them over their different playing styles. It's amazing how all parties worked it out for this record, which ended up being a landmark in bossa nova, and for good reason.

The defining characteristic of this album is how well the piano, saxophone, and vocals were synchronized, building on an established melody or hook with such controlled restraint that these songs could breathe. Jobim and Getz on their instruments matched the whispery vocal leads of João and his then-wife, Astrud, in a masterful call-and-response that transcended linguistic boundaries. It's a sublime, minimalist performance throughout, paired with lyrics of yearning passion, deep reflections on one's surroundings and the passage of time, and even a few jabs at the genre's critics. I especially dug the geographical references brought in, like the neighborhood of Impanema and the view of Corcovado Mountain from a window, painting a beautiful scenery of Brazil. It certainly helped that this record wasn't reliant on standards, save for some polished renditions of Antônio Almeida's "Doralice" and Ary Barroso's "Para Machucar Meu Coração".

Getz/Gilberto was a pleasant listen. A meeting of the minds that proved to be truly enriching.

calming

The girl from Ipanema is an absolute banger. But apart from that it's a short and smooth album demonstrating bossa nova. And after listening to Tortoise's TNT I remarked the influence they had on them.

Rounding up because it's the day that Lula won against Bolsonaro.

Favorite Songs: The Girl from Ipanema

I mean, it’s a vibe. But it doesn’t stray from that vibe for a second. And if they are saying anything profound it is lost on me. It’s not that long of an album and I was getting bored by half way through.

This album is absolutely gorgeous. The rich contrast between the vocals and the sax is beautiful as they complement each other perfectly. The soft guitar and working bass line forge a simple but extremely enhancing rhythm section, running with the light drums to support the incredible melodic voices. Vocals from both Gilbertos are phenomenal, providing the perfect tone that the instruments call for. Not to mention the subtle piano that adds an entire blanket on each track. The Portuguese lyrics combined with the English ones make each song feel so cohesive as they take turns layering the warm melodies. It is just the time of year to listen to this record as the leaves begin to fall and the evenings arrive earlier.

I found it hard to focus on this album so I'm going to review it as "background music".

It does feel a bit like I'm in a hotel lobby but it's a hipster boutique hotel and the other guests have impeccable taste.

Only two weeks ago I reviewed the Getz album, Jazz Samba and wrote that it could only get four stars from me because I liked this album more.

Getz/Gilberto by Stan Getz and João Gilberto is today’s listen, and I went into this expecting a struggle. Brazilian jazz is really not my thing at all.
That said, I was interested to give it a go because I know how legendary this album is. Also, for a jazz album, eight tracks in around half an hour felt very manageable!

My first thought was just how smooth and sexy it sounds. It has such a relaxed feel to it and moves along nicely without ever becoming hard work. “The Girl from Ipanema” is obviously the song I recognised, and hearing it as part of the album made me appreciate just how good it is.
I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this. The sound can become a little repetitive, but nothing bored me and the short running time really works in its favour. It’s calm, melodic and incredibly easy to listen to.

This isn’t an album I can imagine waking up one morning and thinking, “I really fancy some Brazilian jazz today”, but I’m glad this challenge made me listen to it. A really pleasant surprise and a genuinely good album.

Favourite tracks: “The Girl from Ipanema” and “Corcovado”. Both lovely songs.

Least favourite track: Nothing was horrible at all. The sound does become a little repetitive, but it never outstays its welcome.

Album artwork: I like it. Simple, distinctive and very much of its time.

I could imagine myself liking this music as tracks in a film score, but on it's own I'm left feeling indifferent.

Was listening at work. Relaxing music. It went over to auto play and I went on listening to more of artist for over an hour.

35 and 49 year old men write international hit song about a 17 year old girl. If I was that girl, I'd be upset. Not because a pedo wrote me a song, but because the song I inspired became elevator music.

I find Bossa Nova a bit too easy listening for my taste. It’s nice and pleasant but just kind of fades into the background. That said, this album is still very good, and the Girl from Ipanema and Corcovado are two all timer songs. Just jazzy enough to make it a good listen

I felt like I was whisked away out of my living room drinking my coffee and landed in some far away place in the mountains with the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen.

Not a bad album but it became background music by the end. Just couldn’t hold my attention.

Pre Listen:
Never heard of the fellows, but assuming another Portoguese album based on the title/cover. The album art is pretty lowkey, definitely something I'd overlook at a records store. No expectations.

Notable Tracks:
Girl From Ipanema - While this isn't the original, it is a classic song, and they do it justice here. I was confused why it was included twice on here twice, but I learned from the wiki page after the album that the 2nd inclusion is simply a shorter version included in the 1997 rerelease of the album.

Post Listen:
I liked this album. It got me sleepy at some points, but in a good way.

Getz's Saxophone is a wonderful and welcome addition every time it comes up, it's much appreciated. Gilberto's guitar work is very solid as well, however I'm not much a fan of his vocals, so much as I'm a fan of the female vocalist. Her voice is so soft, like new velvet on a warm day. It's a warm album overall, makes me feel like I'm inside of a warm coffee shop/bakery. It's a very short album if you don't include the two bonus tracks which are just songs from earlier, from the '97 rerelease. I do wish it was a little longer.

Best Bossa Nova album I've heard on here to date. 4/5

2.25

The poster child of Bossa Nova, it is a super memorable listen that is able to maximize the talents of each of the four geniuses behind these tracks. While completely magnificient in all qualities, it is also a great entrypoint to the genre which feels rare being such acclaimed while having almost no barrier to entry.

9/10 [KEEP]

Great stuff, a true classic