Antonio Carlos Jobim's Finest Hour

Amazon.com essential recording
While Antonio Carlos Jobim is an essential figure in the music of Brazil, he also created a significant place for himself in American music as a great songwriter and a key figure in the tremendous popularity of bossa nova. Apart from his unique melodic gift, what makes Jobim's work memorable is the complexity of mood he could evoke--the touch of sadness that colors the brightest bossa nova, the irony in the midst of joy, and the mixture of delicacy and resilience in his voice and piano. He was an artist who worked primarily in pastels, but it was his sense of shadows that gave his work its most enduring qualities. Including his most famous tunes and collaborators--like "The Girl from Ipanema" with Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto--Jobim's Finest Hour catches it all, from the standard-bearers to such gems as the playful "Aguas de Marco." --Stuart Broomer

Tracks:

The Girl From Ipanema
Desafinado
Corcovado
Agua De Beber
O Morro Nao Tem Vez
Insensatez
Samba De Uma Nota So
Meditation
Chega De Saudade
Wave
The Girl From Ipanema
Remember
Un Rancho Nas Nuvens
Aguas De Marco
Inutil Paisagem
Passarim
Looks Like December

Amazon.com essential recording

While Antonio Carlos Jobim is an essential figure in the music of Brazil, he also created a significant place for himself in American music as a great songwriter and a key figure in the tremendous popularity of bossa nova. Apart from his unique melodic gift, what makes Jobim's work memorable is the complexity of mood he could evoke--the touch of sadness that colors the brightest bossa nova, the irony in the midst of joy, and the mixture of delicacy and resilience in his voice and piano. He was an artist who worked primarily in pastels, but it was his sense of shadows that gave his work its most enduring qualities. Including his most famous tunes and collaborators--like "The Girl from Ipanema" with Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto--Jobim's Finest Hour catches it all, from the standard-bearers to such gems as the playful "Aguas de Marco." --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Bossa Nova.......2007-03-29

I love Bossa Nova music. Playful, fun, peaceful. It took a flower sellers insight to tell Antonio Carlos Jobim that he was destined for greater things. It took a flower seller to see the genius of the man and the music. We have loved it ever since.

A Good Primer For Beginners ; One Mislabeled Track.......2007-01-26

For those beginning to explore the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Bossa Nova in general, 'Antonio Carlos Jobim's Finest Hour' is a nice first album. The classic versions of "Girl From Ipanema", "Corcovado" and "Desafinado" with Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto are included with this compilation, but the best material on this CD are the tracks from Jobim's 1963 'The Composer of Desafinado, Plays' album, which are beautiful instrumental versions of his best-known compositions, complete with Claus Ogerman's lush orchestra. Some might think that these particular tracks sound like "Elevator Music", but listen carefully and you'll find a depth of emotion and beauty in Jobim's spare, haunting piano playing and sideman Jimmy Cleveland's trombone solos that will change your preconceptions about lush orchestral music.

One Warning: 'Antonio Carlos Jobim's Finest Hour' has a mislabeled track, "O Morro Nao Tem Vez (AKA Favela)" is actually "Amor Em Paz ("Once I Loved"). Both tracks are from the "The Composer of Desafinado, Plays" album. The latter is the more popular song, but "O Morro Nao Tem Vez" is one of the most underrated songs Jobim ever wrote and a masterpiece in its own right. The remainder of the songs on 'Finest Hour' come from Jobim's other albums dating from the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. These tracks do not have the same wondrous beauty as those earlier, 1960s-era cuts, (hence the four star rating) but are still worth your undidvided attention.

My third time buying it.......2006-07-28

I first heard this CD at a friend's house about eight years ago, then heard it again about a year or two after that and absolutely fell in love. Since then, I've moved and re-moved, lost/broke this CD few times, bought new ones, and now it's in my ipod as a favorite! The music is relaxing, uplifting, and Jobim's voice is truly soothing: a true soundtrack for a warm and misty evening stroll through the streets of downtown NYC.

Push Time Back II.......2006-03-20

I completely concur with Miguel Hernandez!

This music reminds me of my childhood times when my father played the Beautiful Music station FM 100 in Chicago - especially "Wave."

Jobim is a master of melody and rhythm.

Highly recommended for your collection.

Music to shag Austin Powers to.......2005-10-07

Just the thing to put on if you're having Jill St. John (or Robert Morse, ladies) over for cocktails.

Listen to the above samples for the feel, but the CD's stereo mix and lush sound far exceed the streaming quality heard here.
Wonderful period stuff.

Average customer rating:

Finest Hour's Finest Hour
Antonio Carlos Jobim
Manufacturer: Bmg
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005S75I
Release Date: 2001-12-21

Tracks:

Girl From Ipanema
Desafinado
Corcovado
Agua De Beber
O Morro Nao Tem Vez
Insensatez
Samba De Uma Note So
Meditation
Chega De Saudade
Wave
Girl From Ipanema
Remember
Un Rancho Nas Nuvens
Aguas De Marco
Inutil Paisagem
Passarim
Looks Like December

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