Amoroso & Brasil

Joao Gilberto is a genius singer and the originator of Brazilian bossa nova. His double release Amoroso/Brasil combines 2 of of the best albums of his later career in one CD. The Amoroso section ('77) displays the tranquil, fluid perfection of Gilberto's vocals. The string arrangements are somewhat heavy, but well-composed and appropriate. Joao sings with a fascinating combination of vocal control and sensuality, as on a torrid version of "Besame Mucho". The syncopated skip of his vocal lines on Jobim classics such as "Wave" is breathtaking. Great music for slow, steamy dancing. The Brasil section ('80) is my favorite, because of a more samba style, lighter arrangements, and delightful guest vocals by Caetano Veloso, G.Gil and Maria Bethania. For enjoying soft, relaxed Brazilian music, this double album is the one of the very best.

This CD includes two of João Gilberto's albums: Amoroso (1977) on tracks 1-8, and the tiny Brasil (1981) from 9-14. I could assign this CD 5 stars simply in virtue of the second part; it is worth getting the whole CD just for those 6 tracks.

I agree with the opinion below that Claus Ogerman's orchestral arrangements really do a disservice to Amoroso. To my ear, having heard many other of Gilberto's recordings, Ogerman just doesn't "get it"; his arrangements sometimes seem to me to undermine Gilberto's way of developing the song. For me the most annoying example is comparing "Zingaro" in this album with the live version in Gilberto's live Montreux CD (there it's titled "Retrato em Branco e Preto"). In the live version, João's interpretation builds up a lot of tension in the verses; in the studio version, Ogerman's arrangements utterly destroy this tension. Really, the only song where I think the orchestral arrangements adds anything is "Tin Tin...Read more

Amoroso/Brasil is not really worth buying if you like Joao Gilberto's soft atmospheres ; there is too much orchestration on this record, and it's sad too see that Joao sounds better, much more evocative and sensual when he is alone with his guitar. Better buy Live in Montreux or Voz e violao...