Universal Music 20th Century Masters (series)

The Best of Astrud Gilberto

Product Description:

Personnel: Astrud Gilberto (vocals); Antonio Carlos Jobim (vocals, guitar); Kenny Burrell (guitar); Gil Evans (piano); Walter Wonderley (organ); Grady Tate (drums); Kai Winding, Luiz Bonfa, Ron Carter, Stan Getz, Toots Thielemans, Urbie Green, Bob Brookmeyer.

Recording information: 1964 - 1967.

Arrangers: Claus Ogerman; Don Sebesky.

The 20TH CENTURY MASTERS series sums up Astrud Gilberto's career in 12 tracks, focusing on the recordings she made for Verve in the 1960s. Gilberto rose to prominence after her vocal turn on the 1964 smash hit "The Girl from Ipanema" by saxophonist Stan Getz and her then-husband vocalist/guitarist Joao Gilberto. (Her contribution was somewhat accidental--she was not originally scheduled to perform on the song, but was the only Brazilian in the studio able to sing the English verses.) Verve cashed in on the bossa nova craze of the '60s by recording several more albums with Gilberto, whose warm, guileless vocals never fail to charm.

THE MILLENNIUM COLLECTION features "The Girl from Ipanema," of course, and "Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)," another memorable tune from the GETZ/GILBERTO album. The rest of the set is a mixture of bossa nova gems (including several additional compositions by Antonio Carlos Jobim), standards ("Fly Me to the Moon"), and other covers (Tim Hardin's "Misty Roses"). The breezy accessibility of these bossa nova/pop combinations still appeals, as does Gilberto's unique blend of sensuality and innocence. THE MILLENNIUM COLLECTION distills the highlights from the peak of the singer's career, and should satisfy the needs of any casual fan.