Antonio Carlos ("Tom") Jobim (1925-1994) was undeniably one of the
great Brazilian composers, a globally known songwriter who shares equal rank
with the Gershwins, Cole Porter and The Beatles. His arrangements combined
modernist classical touches with a suave swing similar to North Amercan "cool"
jazz, rendering individual musical parts with such deceptive simplicity that it
masks the gorgeous harmonic structures, while captivating listeners and
musicians alike. These twin elements combine to make his songs universal
classics. Jobim pioneered bossa
nova, and wrote many of its greatest hits, notably "The Girl From Ipanema"
and "Desafinado." He also helped get the other great bossa nova legend, Joao Gilberto, his
first solo recording contract, and helped popularize the new musical style
worldwide in the early 1960s. As a recording artist, however, Jobim can be troublesome. His work with Frank
Sinatra and Nelson Riddle is indicative of his crossover ambitions, but it is
his endless series of collaborations with jazz-pop arranger Claus Ogerman which
define his recording career. Unfortunately, these usually emphasized
instrumental work, rather than vocals -- while musically complex, many of these
tracks were also abjectly cheesy, if a bit overwrought. still, as more of his
concert performances (as opposed to studio albums) come to light, I've come to
modify my harsh opinion of Jobim as a performer. Here's a quick look at what's
out there... Various Artists "TOM JOBIM: RAROS COMPASSOS" (Revivendo,
2000) Antonio Carlos Jobim "Meus Primeiros Passos e Compassos"
(Revivendo) Antonio Carlos Jobim/Luis Bonfa "BLACK ORPHEUS" (Soundtrack) (Fontana,
1959) Stan Getz/Joao Gilberto/Astrud Gilberto "Getz/Gilberto" (Verve,
1963) "The Composer of 'Desafinado' Plays" (Verve, 1963) "The Wonderful World of Antonio Carlos Jobim" (Discovery,
1964) "Love, Strings And Jobim" (Warner, 1966) "A Certain Mr. Jobim" (Discovery, 1967) Frank Sinatra/Antonio Carlos Jobim "Albert Francis Sinatra & Antonio
Carlos Jobim" (Reprise, 1967) "Wave" (CTI/A&M, 1967) "Tide" (CTI/A&M, 1970) "Stone Flower" (CTI/A&M, 1972) "Matita Pere" (Philips, 1973/MCA, 1973) Elis Regina/Tom Jobim "Elis e Tom" (Verve, 1974) "Urubu" (Warner, 1976) Vinicius De Moraes/Toquinho/Miucha/Tom Jobim "Gravado Ao Vivo No Canecao"
(Som Livre, 1977) Miucha/Antonio Carlos Jobim "Miucha & Antonio Carlos Jobim" (RCA,
1977) Miucha/Antonio Carlos Jobim "Miucha & Tom Jobim " (RCA,
1979) Frank Sinatra/Antonio Carlos Jobim "Sinatra-Jobim Sessions" (WEA,
1979) "Terra Brasilis" (Warner, 1980) Edu Lobo/Tom Jobim "Tom & Edu" (Philips/Polygram, 1981) Gal Costa/Tom Jobim "Gabriela" (RCA, 1983) "Passarim" (Polygram, 1987) Antonio Carlos Jobim/Gal Costa "Rio Revisited" (Verve, 1987) "Tom Canta Vinicius -- Ao Vivo" (Universal, 1990/2001) "Tom Jobim" (CBPO, 1987; Sony Music, 1995) "Antonio Brasileiro" (Som Livre, 1994) Antonio Carlos Jobim "Antonio Carlos Jobim: Composer" (Warner Archives,
1995) Miucha/Antonio Carlos Jobim "Focus: O Essential De..." (BMG,
1998) Miucha/Antonio Carlos Jobim "Man From Ipanema" Various Artists "A TRIBUTE TO ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM" (XIII Bis, 1997) Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum (Velas,
2000) Various Artists "ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM SONGBOOK v.1" (Lumiar, 1996)
Various Artists "ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM SONGBOOK v.2" (Lumiar, 1996)
Various Artists "ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM SONGBOOK v.3" (Lumiar, 1996)
Various Artists "ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM SONGBOOK v.4" (Lumiar, 1996)
Various Artists "ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM SONGBOOK v.5" (Lumiar, 1996)
Gal Costa "Gal Costa Canta Tom Jobim -- Ao Vivo" (BMG Brazil,
1999) Other Brazilian
Artists
from [ http://www.slipcue.com/music/brazil/jobim.html
]
Discography
Let's start at the beginning. To really get a feel for how
revolutionary Jobim's compositions were, we should look at what a tough time his
contemporaries had when they tried to take on the new style Jobim pioneered.
This phenomenal 3-CD set collects dozens of rarities from the mid-1950s and
early '60s (along with a handful of later recordings) and lays bare the
stylistic limitations of the Brazilian pop establishment at the time when
bossa nova became king. This collection includes many songs written well
before the "official" start of the bossa nova, with performances by
artists as diverse as Vicente Celestino, Albertinho Fortuna, Isaura Garcia,
Sylvia Telles, Dick Farney, Claudete Soares, and others - some who have faded
from history's glance, and others who are still well-known. By now, these
melodies are etched in our minds, mainly through the effortless style of
performers such as Joao and Astrud Gilberto, and the suave bossa
performers that came in their wake. It's instructive, then, to hear the
relatively awkward fashion with which the pre-bossa crowd tackled this material,
and the surprising stiffness of their performances. Hammy baritones,
barbershop-ish vocal groups, chirpy, operatic European-styled female singers
populated the landscape, and while they were drawn to the new music, they could
not summon the graceful elan that the bossa crowd possessed.
Jobim, along with contemporaries such as Carlos Lyra and Vinicius de Moraes,
liberated Brazil from the bland anglophilia that had taken root in the postwar
era, eradicating the attraction of tepid, safe Edmundo Ros-style pop with one
gentle, samba-tinged sweep of bossa's magic wand. Anyone seeking to
understand the history of Brazilian pop in general and bossa nova in
particular should seek this collection out. The Revivendo label also has an
amazing assortment of historical, pre-bossa samba recordings, well worth
checking out.
More of Jobim's earliest work, including the extravagant
"Sinfonia de Rio De Janeiro" and "Teresa Da Praia" by Dick Farney and Lucio
Alves, one of Jobim's earliest commercial successes. The pop style of the times
-- post samba, pre-bossa -- is a little grating at times, but this is,
indisputably, where it all began. For an intimate look at the transition into
the new Brazilian music, these rare recordings are invaluable.
The first major incursion of bossa nova into the minds and hearts
of North America and Europe. The soundtrack to the winner of the 1959 Cannes
Festival, this record also put Jobim in the global spotlight. Although the album
is largely made up of samba de enredo percussive tracks, Jobim's non-Joao
Gilberto bossa and Luis Bonfa's acoustic guitar work made quite a splash.
Internationally, Bonfa's "Manha de Carnaval" was an big hit, and although the
bossa nova sound is still a little unformed here, it makes for lovely listening.
THE classic jazz-bossa nova crossover album, against which all
others are measured. Almost shockingly intimate, with every tremble of the
saxophone reed intact, this 1963 collaboration with Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto
contains the #1 hit version of "The Girl from Ipanema" which is the one most
folks in the States are familiar with, and which helped make Astrud Gilberto a
household name in America. Her hubby Joao's guitar work and whispery vocals are
the ultimate in melodic cool. Tom Jobim plays piano, in one of his sweetest
performances, and percussion by Milton Banana is a study in economy. There are
zillions of pressings and reissues of this album; the latest CD version, from
1997, features 20-bit mastering and sounds pretty damn nice.
Instrumental
versions of Jobim's well-known classics, such as "Girl From Ipanema," "One Note
Samba," "Chega de Saudade" and others. Features relatively tame arrangements by
Claus Ogerman, who would continue to collaborate with Jobim for decades. Jobim's
offhanded, uber-cool piano playing is nice, but the rest of the instrumentation
is just, in essence, elevator music. Of Jobim's cheesy solo records, this is one
of the better ones to aim for.
Much to his credit, U.S. arranger Nelson Riddle frames Jobim's
vocals rather well here. The production is solid and familiar; kinda like a
Sinatra album... surprise! A couple of instrumental tracks are negligible, but
on the whole, this record works This is certainly the best of Jobim's early
albums.
An English language
re-tread of the Wonderful World formula. Claus Ogerman's arrangements are
no match for Nelson Riddle's, and Jobim's Sinatra-esque vocals are kind of on
the stiff side. He just doesn't sound comfortable singing in English, and the
music is either kind of flat or roller-rink-y. Not terrible, but doesn't quite
hit the target.
A good match. Sinatra's well-studied
cool-guy persona is completely suited to the bossa nova aesthetic, and he
understands how to sing on top of pop string arrangements (Claus Ogerman,
again...). Some of Jobim and Sinatra harmonizations are particularly nice.
Apparently a later Brazilian edition of this album came out in the late '70s (on
Warner) which contains the entire recording session, including two songs which
still have not been reissued elsewhere.
Easy listening instrumentals with
accompaniment from jazz cats like Ron Carter, Urbie Green and James Cleveland,
as well as Claus Ogerman's sizable string section. Jobim's work for the
semi-indie CTI label has tremendous cachet with the acid jazz crowd, but others
may find it a bit underwhelming, and awfully sappy. The title track is one of
his best melodies, though.
Similar terrain to Wave, though
possibly more substantial, or at least with brighter production. Awfully syrupy,
though: I would be embarrassed to be caught listening to this at home.
This one I like -- certainly
it's the best of his three CTI-A&M easy listening albums. Jobim's still
hanging out with the in-studio jazz crowd -- bassist Ron Carter, trombonist
Urbie Green, Hubert Laws and others. Perhaps it's the fusion scene input of
fellow Brazilian, Airto Moriera that peps this one up? This breezy, subtle album
may be too lightweight for folks in both the jazz and bossa nova camps, but I
think it's quite listenable.
Jazz arranger Claus Ogerman
brings an impressive modernism to bear on this album, with some truly tweaky,
challenging string arrangements. At times brooding, jagged and even a bit
foreboding, Ogerman's contributions seem strongly influenced by 20th Century
avant-classical music. The second half of this album devolves into syrupy mush,
though, so tread lightly. Issued in the U.S. under the title Tom Jobim,
this is one of his most striking and powerful albums.
A stunning
collaboration with legendary vocalist, Elis Regina. Features
the definitive version of Jobim's "Aguas de Marco", and some of the nicest, most
tasteful music of his career. One of those sublime, perfect, magic albums that
has a life of its own. Why couldn't more of his albums approached this level of
greatness?
Similar territory to the 1973 Matita
Pere album, though a little less sombre, and way more cheesy. Claus
Ogerman's string arrangements are slushy and florid; the last half of the record
sounds more like a John Williams score than a bossa-pop album. Jazz bassist Ron
Carter adds both class and fusion-y cheese to the proceedings. But again, not my
cup of tea.
Cool concert album, conducted by legendary producer
Aloysio de Oliveira. Lively but also a bit shrill, this gives a nice glimpse at
some of Brazil's most charismatic performers... and for Jobim it's a nice look
behind the veil of his uber-artsy persona. Singer Miucha, who was Joao
Gilberto's second wife, went on to record several albums with Jobim, and they
are all quite nice.
Swanky MPB material... much of the material off this album is
collected on a best-of CD (reviewed below).
This Brazilian double LP set apparently contains the complete
late-'60s recording sessions done for Sinatra's Reprise label, including two
tracks which are still unavailable elsewhere. Whoo-hoo! It's a collector's item!
One of Jobim's most engaging
albums. This diverse, elegant 2-LP set reprises many of his old hits, along with
several new tunes. About half the songs are sung in English, and Jobim makes the
most of the opportunity to make the irony of songs such as "Desafinato (Out Of
Tune)" plain to the English-speaking audience. Although this collection has many
of the same musical trappings as earlier albums arranged by Claus Ogerman,
"Terra Brasilis" is much more restrained and less brazenly cheesy. Perhaps we
can thank the positive influence of veteran bossa nova producer Aloysio de
Oliveira? Whatever. I'd recommend this as one of Jobim's more listenable
albums.
A
back-to-basics album along the same lines as Joao Gilberto's "Brasil" album of
the same year. Lobo and Jobim are relaxed, the arrangements are sparse and
center on simple, sweet piano lines. For me, one of Jobim's more accessible
records.
The soundtrack to a fun
Sonia Braga/Marcello Mastroianni film, written by Jobim and conducted by Oscar
Castro Neves. The three Jobim/Costa duets are pleasant enough, but on the whole
this is a fairly unremarkable album. The highlight is, I suppose, Jobim's solo
vocal number, "Walking Through The Forest," though all the instrumentals, with
their dated disco-ish filagrees and oceanic, predictable string arrangements
barely qualify as aural wallpaper. Maybe I'll have to go back and watch the film
again, to see how well this works in its original context.
Oy, vey. A VERY cheesy album, full of
soft pop arrangements and cotton candy musical back-up courtesy of Jobim's
progeny, as well as a couple of Dorival Caymmi's kids. Not recommended.
A nice
live album featuring Gal Costa on a couple of tracks, and some breezy but
appealling arrangements courtesy of Jobim and cellist Jaques Morelenbaum, who
later went on to form the Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum (see below). Recorded in
LA's Wiltern Theatre, this concert is dominated by a perky female vocal ensemble
ala the Quarteto Em Cy... But these gals are far less slick than Em Cy,
and less bland and technique-obsessed. Engaging, understated performances, with
several tunes sung in English... Despite the lackluster artwork, this is one of
Jobim's better albums... recommended!
A beautiful
live tribute to poet/composer Vinicius de Moraes,
with Danilo Caymmi on flute, Jaques Morelenbaum on cello, and Paula Morelenbaum
on vocals, and Jobim on piano and some vocals, and his son Paulo Jobim on
guitar. This is a remarkable about-face for Jobim, almost entirely shedding the
sugary overproduction of his later years, in favor of an understated, reverent
and leisurely approach to these fab bossa oldies. The Morelenbaums are
largely to thank -- Paula has the perfect voice and manner for bossa nova
classicism, and as one of Brazil's best modern bandleaders, Jaques Morelenbaum
can do no wrong. These musicians later went on to form the equally-impressive
Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum, whose album on the Velas label is reviewed below.
This is a beautiful album in and of itself -- well worth checking out!
Best-Of's
A strong set collecting material from his Discovery label and
Reprise albums of the mid-'60s. The entire Wonderful World Of... album
makes up the first half of this disc, and the rest of the disc is split between
songs from three other albums. Some tracks dip into vocal Sinatra-isms, but on
the whole this gives a pretty favorable impression of Jobim during his most
accessible period. At 28 tracks total, and budget priced to boot, this is a
pretty good deal, especially considering that three of the tracks are studio
outtakes.
A surprisingly strong disc, featuring some of Jobim's most
understated work -- perhaps not as sublime as his 1974 collaboration with Elis
Regina, but continuing along in the same vein. The second wife of Joao Gilberto,
Miucha's vocals were variable, but at her best she proves a very able,
jazz-oriented vocalist -- imagine Maria Bethania without the stridency, or Gal
Costa with more consistent delivery. Admittedly she coouldn't muster the same
power as any of the better-known MPB divas, but she does achieve a workmanlike
grace, and is ably complimented by Jobim's pleasantly light touch. Miucha's
teenage daughter, Bebel
Gilberto, chirps along on a version of Chico Buarque's "Calice", originally
on the 1978 album, Miucha..
A 3-CD
retrospective, including material recorded with Elis Regina and Miucha.
Tributes
Fun
stuff. This mostly-European, mostly-French, indie-rock tribute album has several
highlights, including a witty rendition of "Girl From Ipanema" by Japan's
Pizzicato 5, and a healthy dose of Franco-fied versions of Jobim's bossa
standards. Anyone approaching this disc who is familiar with the plenitude of
reverential Brazilian versions of these old classics will be struck by the
varied and refreshingly new takes on such well-worn material. Swedish rocker Ray
Wonder gets major points for his playful, lavishly layered, electric-guitar
heavy version of "One Note Samba"; similarly the surf/spy guitars on Tango &
Lee Marr's "Agua de Beber" are an unlikely and quite pleasant twist, and Sean
O'Hagan (Stereolab, High Llamas) gets in some nice licks as well. Interestingly
enough, the British contributions to this project more often than not fall a bit
flat -- although Stuart Moxham has a tasteful turn, other tracks by the
Walkabouts and John Cunningham are less interesting. In the main, though, this
disc is full of rewarding material. If you're ready for a little playful
tweaking on the Jobim canon, check this one out!
A sweet tribute to Jobim which features his son, grandson, and
Jobim's former cellist and bandleader Jaques Morelenbaum, as well as Paula
Morelenbaum, who serves as the group's chanteuse, trading vocal duties with the
Jobim lads. Spanning the breadth of Jobim's career, these songs are fairly
standard bossa fare, but nice and pleasant... Morelenbaum -- one of the
most well-rounded musicians imaginable -- is capable of moodier, more
mysterious, arrangements, but I guess he didn't feel that was his job in this
instance... But I'm not complaining... this is a pretty solid record. By the
way, if you have the chance to see this ensemble perform, don't hesitate -- they
are even more ethereal and sublime live!
Includes Carlos Lyra, Edu Lobo, Miucha, Johnny Alf, Quarteto Em Cy, Leny
Andrade, and Joao Donato.
Includes Os Cariocas, Joyce, Leny Andrade, Nana Caymmi, Wanda de Sa,
Roberto Menescal, Pery Ribeiro, and Nelson Ayres.
Includes Marcos Valle, Edu Lobo, MPB 4, and Sergio Ricardo.
Includes Hermeto Pascoal, Joyce, Elba Ramalho, Joao Bosco, Leila
Pinheiro, Roberto Menescal, and Beth Carvalho.
Includes Hermeto Pascoal, Jane Duboc, Chico Buarque, Ed Motta, Leny
Andrade and Cristova Bastos, Alaide Costa, and Toninho Horta.
A 2-CD live tribute by MPB star Gal Costa.
Links
Main Brazil
Index
World Music
Index