Antonio Carlos Jobim Sun Sea & Sand Favorites CD

Personnel: Antonio Carlos Jobim (vocals, guitar, piano, celesta, harpsichord); Joao Gilberto, Paulo Jobim (vocals, guitar); Danilo Caymmi (vocals, flute); Jon Hendricks, Maria Toledo, Maucha Adnet, Paula Morelenbaum, Astrud Gilberto, Ana Lontra Jobim, Simone Caymmi (vocals); Luiz Bonfá, Oscar Castro-Neves (guitar); Jaques Morelenbaum (cello); Claus Ogerman (strings); Raymond Beckenstein, Jerome Richardson, Romeo Penque (flute); Stan Getz (tenor saxophone, trombone); Joseph Singer (French horn); Jimmy Cleveland, Urbie Green (trombone); Herbie Hancock (piano); Claudio Slon, Dom Um Romao, Bobby Rosengarden (drums, percussion); Jose (Bigorna) Carlos, Harvey Mason, Sr. , Milton Banana, Paulinho Braga (drums); Alex Acuña (percussion).
Liner Note Author: Jan Fairley.
Recording information: New Jersey (02/08/1963-??/??/1986); New York, NY (02/08/1963-??/??/1986); Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (02/08/1963-??/??/1986); Sao Paulo, Brazil (02/08/1963-??/??/1986).
Photographer: Rogério Reis DosSantos.
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 Nao Tem Vez," with Astrud Gilberto, and 1974's "Aguas 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