Search - Joao Gilberto :: Bossa Nova Jubilee 1

It Doesn't Get Any Better

Mr. Richard Haller | Eugene, Oregon USA | 05/25/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tom Jobim is generally credited with being the father of Bossa Nova. Seven of the songs on this album were written by Jobim as a matter of fact. But Joao Gilberto has had at least as great an influence on its development. There simply are no better examples of bossa nova than those on this album, and no better performer than Gilberto.



This album, and its sister Vol. II, have the earliest recordings by Gilberto, and in my opinion, many of them are his best performances. They also contain many of the classic songs composed by Jobim and other giants of bossa nova. "Dasafinado", "Manha De Carnaval", "Insensatez", and the ubiquitous "Garota de Ipanema" (V. II), to name but a few.



While bossa nova is usually classified as "jazz", it is closer to popular music in my opinion, specially when performed by Jobim. What it shares with jazz is more complex harmonies and lots of chord changes, usually at least every 1 or 2 measures, and sometimes two changes per measure. It is very difficult to play correctly. But despite all the dissonances in the complex chords, the net result is very pleasant indeed.



There is a quality to bossa nova that is called "happy sadness". That seems like an oxymoron, but it is true. Listen to some along with some translations of lyrics if you don't understand Portuguese, and I think you will agree. Check out "Manha De Carnaval".



This CD is a true classic."