One listen to João Gilberto's voice brings back all the fragrance and flavor of seminal Brazilian bossa nova. Along with his wife Astrud Gilberto, songwriter Antonio Carlos Jobim, and a few others, Gilberto founded bossa nova with his 1958 recording of "Chega De Saudade," which he records again here. With only his acoustic guitar for accompaniment, Gilberto retraces his steps with classic songs by Jobim like "Desafinado" and "Voci Vai Ver," and also includes newer material by Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso (who also produced the record), and Bororo, among others.
Gilberto whisper-sings gracefully, using his guitar to sculpt the music with swaying, pulsing rhythms. As tranquil as it all sounds, the music yearns for a pliant rhythm section and perhaps strings to flesh out fully what sounds like a private recording in some small club. Gilberto is still a master and his bossa nova a thing of touching beauty, but the music, though pristine in bare form, would blossom with life if fully produced and orchestrated.
All recordings courtesy of Verve Music Group. "Desde Que O Samba E Samba" written by C. Veloso; courtesy of Terra Enterprises, Inc. (BMI). "Desafinado" written by A. C. Jobim, N. Mendonca; courtesy of Corcovado Music Corp./Bendig Music Corp. (BMI). "Chega De Saudade" written by A. C. Jobim, V. DeMoraes; courtesy of Corcovado Music Corp./VM Enterprises Inc. (BMI).
