Joao Gilberto Amoroso/Brasil CD

AMOROSO personnel: Joao Gilberto (vocals, guitar); Ralph Grierson, Clare Fisher (keyboards); Milcho Leviev, Michael Boddicker (synthesizer); Jim Hughart (bass); Grady Tate, Joe Correro (drums).
Producers: Tommy LiPuma, Helen Keane.
AMOROSO was released in 1977.
BRASIL personnel: Joao Gilberto (vocals, guitar); Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethania (vocals); Clare Fisher (keyboards); Milcho Leviev, Michael Boddicker (synthesizer); Jim Hughart (bass); Joe Correro (drums); Paulhinho Da Costa (percussion).
Producer: Joao Gilberto.
BRASIL was released in 1981.
Personnel: Joao Gilberto (vocals, guitar); Gerald Vinci, John Wittenberg, Joe Goodman, Bob Lipsett, Bobby Dubow, Jerry Reisler, Isabelle Daskoff, Israel Baker, Bonnie Douglas, Nathan Ross, Paul Shure, Bluestone (violin); David Schwartz, Helain Wittenberg, Marilyn Baker (viola); Anne Goodman (cello); Eddie Cainf, Glenn Garrett, Bud Shank (flute); Claire Fisher, Ralph Grierson (keyboards); Michael Boddicker, Milcho Leviev (synthesizer); Grady Tate, Joe Correro (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion).
Audio Mixer: Al Schmitt.
Liner Note Author: Nelson Motta.
Recording information: Britannia, Los Angeles, CA (11/17/1976-01/07/1977); Capitol Records, Hollywood, CA (11/17/1976-01/07/1977); Rosebud Studios, NY, NY (11/17/1976-01/07/1977); Sigla, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (11/17/1976-01/07/1977); Sounds Good (11/17/1976-01/07/1977).
Unknown Contributor Role: Stella Castellucci.
Arrangers: Claus Ogerman; Johnny Mandel.
Two of the influential Joao Gilberto's LPs (Amoroso and Brasil) are combined on this single CD. The former session is pretty definitive with Gilberto interpreting four of Antonio Carlos Jobim's compositions (including "Wave" and "Triste") and four other songs (highlighted by "Besame Mucho," "Estate," and an odd 31-bar rendition of "'S Wonderful"). The strings (arranged by Claus Ogerman) are unnecessary but Gilberto proves to be in prime form. The later album also has its moments of interest (including a Brazilian version of "All of Me") and finds Gilberto backed by Johnny Mandel arrangements and assisted by singers Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and Maria Bethania. Overall there is not much variety throughout this gently swinging program but these are a pair of Gilberto's better post-1970 recordings. ~ Scott Yanow
This 1977 classic is to swoon over: Gilberto singing in Portuguese, Spanish ("Besame Mucho!"), Italian, and English, with strings arranged and conducted by Claus Ogerman. ~ Terri Hinte
Joao Gilberto is perhaps forever destined to be lesser known to casual jazz fans than his occasional collaborator Stan Getz (whose GETZ/GILBERTO albums introduced the United States to bossa nova) and his ex-wife Astrud Gilberto (whose shy, delicate voice made her one of the most distinctive and beloved jazz vocalists of the '60s). However, true fans of Brazilian music recognize that Gilberto is second only to Antonio Carlos Jobim as a writer and interpreter of traditional Brazilian music and Brazilian-influenced jazz.
These two albums, collected in full on one CD, are among Gilberto's best solo albums. Alternating between standards like "'S Wonderful" or "Besame Mucho" and Brazilian tunes like Jobim's "Wave" and the original "Triste," AMOROSO is a fine, romantic jazz album. BRASIL, as the title suggests, consists of six traditional-style sambas, sung in Portuguese to acoustic guitars and hypnotic percussion. Both are essential to Gilberto fans and neophytes.

Reissue