Happy Revisitation
Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 06/20/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Have you ever had the experience of initially not liking an album, then coming back to it later and discovering what a gem it is? That's what happend to me with Tudo Bem. I first encountered this wonderful album on vinyl not long after it came out. I was just getting into jazz and was still in a sort of never-never land between "real" jazz and fusion. For example, I thought Russ Freeman's Nocturnal Playground was the greatest thing going. (I have to confess I still have a soft spot for it because it helped get me into creative improvised music.) And I had just purchased Pass's great, but more fusion-tinged, album, Whitestone (which I'll probably review soon), was blown away, and was expecting more of the same.Tudo Bem is actually quite straight-ahead for a self-consciously Brazilian date; that's probably what threw me. And, my ears were not yet conditioned to hear and appreciate authentic jazz. After having listened to the latter for the last 20 years or so, I came back to Tudo Bem with a totally different set of criteria about what makes music great. I can now appreciate the beauty of Pass's single-note runs, the sparkling creativity of his solos as he plays over the changes, the subtle conversation between the musicians.Pass is best known for his virtuosity as a solo performer. But if you have any intrest at all in Brazilian-tinged acoustic music, you'll want to pick up this great outing by a jazz guitar master."
The Gold Standard
David W. Ridnell | 03/08/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It does not get better. The gold standard which anyone trying to solo on guitar over bossa nova should aspire to. Virtuosity with soul."
Masterpiece of jazz guitar
Salo Jari | Seinajoki Finland | 08/14/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Absolutely brilliant playing by Joe Pass and his fellow players.
Brazilian moods and some laid back jazz funk.
Excellent cd and should be in every jazz guitar fan's library.
I bought the original lp back then , in the "good old days" and I still have it. It is one of my all time favorites.
Anyway, get the cd and you'll love it !!!"