Astrud Gilberto in General

Bossa Nova changed my life. Literally and forever! I was working as a student in Eastbourne in 1966 and happended to pop into the local record shop. Somehow I came across a "Joao Gilberto" record and from then on I was completely hooked on Bossa Nova, Samba and, eventually, MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira). Soon after, Frank Sinatra, Stan Getz and Joao's wife Astrud, got on the scene, plus many other Bossa Nova artists. Everyone was singing "A garota de Ipanemena" (The girl from Ipanema), and it still has a strong influence today. Why this comment on history? Well, Astrud Gilberto was a short term success and, if you ...

(Oooops, this has been put in the wrong catagory, it should be in the album section under 'The Silver Collection-The Astrud Gilberto Album' Sorry for any confusion! - Jo) Astrud Gilberto is, in my opinion, the best female Latin-American singer to ever grace the face of the earth. Her voice is completely relaxed, free and easy; it is as if she isn’t even trying! Just hearing her voice conjures up images of Rio, sandy beaches, and the carnival. Astrud Gilberto sings Bossa nova and Samba. She first came to prominence in the mid sixties, when she sung the famous ‘Girl From Ipanema’ with her husband of the time Joao ...

In case your asking "WHO??!", let me ask if you have heard the song "The Girl from Ipanema"?. If you haven't, dont worry, you will. Astrud Gilberto is a well renowned latino jazz/folk singer often linked with the bossanova/jazz genius Stan Getz. Stan Getz was the orchestrator of much of the backing music in Astrud's songs. She has a long musical history dating back to the '60s, making her very much an originator of her style. Her style itself varies between upbeat summer melodies and languous tear stained love songs. She conveys the mood of either adequately, however it is in the ballads that her voice comes into its own. ...