Genius Of Astrud Gilberto, The - Astrud Gilberto

Advantages: Beautiful lullaby voice, subtle but effective jazz backing
Disadvantages: None, all the songs are classics

...Astrud Gilberto is, in my opinion, the best female Latin-American singer to ever grace the face of the earth. Her voice is completely relaxed, free and easy; it is as if she isn’t even trying! Just hearing her voice conjures up images of Rio, sandy beaches, and the carnival. Astrud Gilberto sings Bossa nova and Samba. She first came to prominence in the mid sixties, when she sung the famous ‘Girl From Ipanema’ with her husband of the time Joao Gilberto. She recorded several albums with Joao and also jazz saxophonist Stan Getz, which all had critical acclaim. Most of the albums were recorded under the infamous Verve jazz label. Which brings us to this album. The Astrud Gilberto Album is a collection of her recordings on the Verve label from the mid to late 60’s, when she was in the prime of her career... Read review

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Advantages: composition, vocals
Disadvantages: none

...Anybody can recognize "The Girl From Ipanema", it's a classic. But where did it come from? Where did Bossa Nova spread its roots? Pianist Tom Jobim is credited for the composition of most of the classic Bossa Nova standards, but is was João Gilberto who took these standards, and interpreted on the guitar what we now identify as Bossa Nova. By harmonizing the chords on the guitar with the traditional Brazilian Samba rhythm, Gilberto evolved Jobims' compositions and popularized the style. Gilberto's guitar playing is virtuous, but what really captures me is his voice. He sings with a "blown" quality as if he is blowing air from his gut, which produces an intimate close-to-the-microphone sound. It's possible to hear his lips smacking dryly during the pronounciation of certain words, and he has an excellent vocal amplitude, using... Read review

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Advantages: There are more classic tracks than you remember
Disadvantages: Just a couple not to my taste

..., it has the George Michael stamp firmly upon it. He sings the words with such passion, and you know that each word comes right from the heart. 'Heal The Pain' is a song that I remember liking when it was released, but it is quickly forgettable. It is nice enough to listen to, but it just not have that certain something that makes it stay in your head. Although this is a greatest hits collection, there are some lesser known tracks, and the first is 'A Moment In Time'. Now, I am not sure if it is because I have not heard this much, but it is an uninspiring song which seems to lack the magic that the other tracks have in abundance, and I have to say the same about 'Desafinado', a duet with Astrud Gilberto. The foreign language song has a comedy/Doris Day type feel to it, and it is just not what I expect from George Michael, and whilst I am all... Read review

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