Getz/Gilberto

Need not to say this is a classic, the 8 songs from the original album are all worth more than 5 stars, but the bonus tracks "The girl from Ipanema" and "Corcovado" are not the ORIGINAL version of the 45 rpm singles, a regret to all the consumers. You can watch the original 45 rpm version of "The girl from Ipanema" on 'YouTube', the MTV showing Astrud Gilberto and Stan Getz performing the song before some female audience, Astrud was sitting among the audience when she started singing. The opening of the song is an intro of vibraphone (which was seen in the MTV and was a major instrument in the song), not the humming by Joao Gilberto. Besides, I believe the single version of Corcovado (Quiet Nights) is the version available in "Getz Au Go Go" (please noted that even though "Getz Au Go Go" is listed as a live recording, in fact it is a studio recording with overdubbed applause as revealed by the producer Phil Schaap). Furthermore, this REMASTERED version has the left and right channel reversed as compared with the earlier version of this CD(without the bonus tracks) released in the 80's. If Verve couldn't locate the 45 rpm originals from its vault, that's fine, but it should do more research work than to give us incorrect information and created edited versions of the songs to fool us, which is very dishonest.

....than this. Some very good albums may define a singer; some great ones, like "Tapestry" and "No Secrets", can define a whole generation. Here, we have an album so great we could use it to define "music".

There are conflicting stories as to how this recording, or, at least, Astrud Gilberto's part in it, came to be. At this distance in time, who cares? The late Stan Getz was said to be an unpleasant man. Who cares? He was, you see, a genius, who played the sax like nobody before, or since. Astrud Gilberto supports some political causes that I can't stand. Who cares? She's the prototype of a whole genre...another may be a little prettier, or have a little better voice, but Astrud is still "the original"; all others are copies. Music and politics shouldn't mix, anyway.

Here we have a collection of talent in one place not equaled till "The Blues Brothers". Besides Getz and Astrud, we have Antonio Carlos Jobim and Astrud's then husband, Joao. Great music, well played, and recorded to perfection. EVERYBODY needs at least one copy of this.

This is a classic if you don't have this you are missing out! Very relaxing.

This is a classic and worth its great reputation. No wonder it has remained popular for so many, many years. It is one of the few albums I enjoyed as a teenager and still enjoy 40 years later!

Much has been said about this disc over the past nearly 45 years since it's recording and here at Amazon; mostly all positive here as the 136 reviews averaging five stars can testify to. I listened to this LP many years, off and on since it's original release and recently purchased the CD version so I may take it anywhere on my I-Pod. It goes without saying it is essential music. The understated vibe whispers classic. The pairing of Getz and Gilberto seems as natural and beautiful as sunsets on the beach on Rio de Janeiro. The soft sensual vocals of Joao and Astrud Gilberto pair well with the robust yet minimilist sax work Stan Getz to create an exquisite recording. The contribution by Antonio Carlos Jobim on piano cannot be overlooked as he helped create the total ambience. Soft romantic melodies results from the joining of these two forces in their respective fields to create the definitive bossa nova sound. The model for which bossa nova has been defined by is the quintessential "The Girl From Ipanema" features the famous duet by husband and wife Astrud and Joao Gilberto that is complimented by the cool tenor sax work by Getz twice on this disc;included is the 45rpm issue that was popular on the airwaves during the time period.It is ironic that Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim did not want her to sing on what has become arguably one of the most recognized bossa nova songs ever recorded. The total recording is a reflection of a turbulent time in the world when peaceful music waft down from Sugarloaf mountain for the world to take notice and they have never stopped noticing. Maybe in our contemporay world of war and chaos we need more of the peaceful vibe of the bossa nova again. If you have never experienced this classic recording, check it out,it does still sound good after all these years. Recommended for jazz and Brazilian music enthusiasts.