Search - Stan Getz :: The Bossa Nova Years (The Girl from Ipanema)

Proof there is a God.

darragh o'donoghue | 07/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There is a line here sung by Astrud Gilberto (from an American song, but never mind) - 'I feel so gay in a melancholy way' - that sums up for me the eternal appeal of bossa nova: beach music cooled with sadness that somehow seizes your tired soul, making it feel warm and happy. This remarkable set - which, along with 'the Antonio Carlos Jobim Songbook', is the only CD I intend to take to my desert island - contains the five prodigious bossa nova albums recorded by Stan Getz in the early 60s: 'Jazz Samba' (the still sparkle-fresh collaboration with Charlie Byrd that introduced bossa nova to the world); 'Big Band Bossa Nova' (a not always successful attempt to combine two mutually exclusive forms, but featuring two epic classics, 'Manha de Carnival' and 'Chega Suadade'); 'Jazz Samba Encore' (an otherworldly masterpiece with Luiz 'Black Orpheus' Bonfa and singer Maria Toldo); 'Getz/Gilberto' (my own treasured favourite, a matchless meeting of four great talents, Getz, Jobim, Joao and Astrud Gilberto) and 'Getz/Almeida' (a rigorous, last gasp jazz workout). All the great classics are here - 'Desafinado' (will anyone ever spell this right?), 'Insensatez' (swoon), 'O Morro Nao Tem Vez', 'One note samba', 'The girl from Ipanema', 'Corcovado' etc. (you'll know them all even if you think you don't) - together with some less familiar delights. What is perhaps most exceptional is the way Getz adapts like a chameleon to the very different needs of his various collaborators, and yet still retains the distinctive, emotional sax genius we know and love. There are some extra tracks included as well, including Getz's only collaboration with Baden-Powell, some live numbers with the Gilbertos, and an absolutely blissful, happysad 'It might as well be spring', the only track I've ever heard that actually DOES sound like spring."

A must have...

Jack Dempsey | South Miami Beach, Florida | 05/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Be fore-warned, if you simply buy the single Getz/Jobim cd (which Verve has recently re-mastered and re-packaged, you will be longing for more. So, cut to the chase and simply break down and make the investment from the start.I don't know where to begin with this set. I've had it for years now, and have never grown the least bit weary of it.This is perfect, beautiful, music for every facet of your life. Whether it's relaxing, lounging, sailing, "digging your toes in soft sand", "sunning while sipping fruity intoxics", intimacy, "driving along your favorite road, top down," or even "staring out the window at the rain" music.In short, I love this set and all it offers. So too, will you, I wager. My favorite style of Getz, accompanied by Brazil's finest.VERY, VERY worth it."

Quiet Nights or Anytime

Chris Aubin | Orange County, California | 01/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've had a copy of this wonderful collection in my possesion in one form or another for the last thirteen years. Once I finally threw out the tattered cassettes, I moved on to this four CD set. I can't praise it enough. It's not just the well known favorites like Girl From Ipanema or Desafinado, but the whole anthology. From the quiet tones of Corcovado to Stan's incredile blowing on So Danco Samba, there's something great on nearly every track. I'm only 31 and I've introduced this CD to the boom box on many occasions around my friends more accustomed to Pearl Jam or old Ozzy and the reaction has always been the same; "Is this elevator music?" But soon they hear the same passionate soul that nearly knocked the Beatles off the top of the charts in the mid '60s (read Phil Schaap's liner notes!) and realize that there's something special here and begin to really enjoy it. It's a warm Summer barbecue or any time you need to kick up your feet after a hard day at work with a cold drink. This is something with which to either complete or begin your samba collection."