With her passing yesterday, I am reminded that there are not many times where a whole 'style' of music is introduced such as what happened in the early 60s with the popularization of the 'bossa nova'. One of the songs/tracks that helped was sung by Astrud Gilberto - "The Girl From Ipanema" (which I have heard arguably is the second most recorded song ever behind "Yesterday") (some also include "Stardust").
Astrud popularized many other songs such as Vivo Sonhando (Dreamer) presented here in two versions - the original track
And a 'cover' I arranged for the Houston Community College jazz ensemble back on 12-13-14:
Jobim's popularized Bossa as well as Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto, and Astrud Gilberto are remembered in their music and the influence that style of music continues to have in the songwriters and composers of today.
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Nice, Joel! Sounds great! Listening as I type. She really was "that" sound. People will be listening to GFI for the next....well, forever. And another sad note; they stiffed her on that session. She made nothing. Just scale I believe. Like $100. Welcome to show business.
Bossanova is my favorite form of Jazz. She was the best. Huge Stan Getz fan too. They had the best version of "The Girl from Ipanema"
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Stan was a great player and had a good sound. Sweet Rain and Captain Marvel still get some play here at my house. Chick's on both of those. Yesterday would have been his birthday.
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Three years before Girl From Ipanema, Caterina Valente was the first to play bossa nova on an American television show. Although she is still a legend in Europe and South America she has been sort of forgotten in the U.S. Here is a funny bit she did with Dean Martin a few years later. (She was also a fine guitar player).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuEv942wOZs
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Loved that! She's great and what a wonderful tune that is, right? Just to write one of those would be enough. :) Here's another, just for grins...Jorge's intro still kills me every time I hear it. What a fantastic composer/arranger he is.
https://youtu.be/lKsDw5TXhwQ
Linwood - Caterina, who is friend, told me a great story about how, in the late 50s she was doing a tour of S. America where she was a star and, one night she had to cancel because she had a sore throat. Who should show up next at her hotel room with a throat cure? Luis Bonfa. A few minutes later, Joao Gilberto does the same. Then the phone rings. She says, "I'm not answering unless that is Antonio Jobim." It was. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O586jyVpuw
Wow! To be a fly on the wall. You ever work with her? Any arrangements you can share? Did you watch At Home With The Gils on Amazon Prime? If you haven't seen it, check it out. You'll like it.
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She had retired by the time I met her in 2010. She visited me at my studio which was in Hans Zimmer's Remote Control complex. She, her son Eric, and my dear friend, Arthur Hamilton (Cry Me A River) went out to lunch and took a photo which I put on my FB page. Eric told me that German scandal sheets were always printing lies about his mom. I was a little skeptical thinking, "You wish they were still interested." Two weeks later, he sends me the thing below, where they've cut Arthur and Eric out of the picture and identify me as her producer boyfriend. At lunch, I asked Hans to translate and all he said, over and over, was <German accent> "Michael...oh, Michael!"
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That is so funny! You can't buy publicity like that. :) What are you working on lately, if you don't mind me asking? I feel like the Maytag repair man in here and I'm starved for conversation and having a Maestro like yourself in here is such a value. I thank you for the exchange.
Aww shucks, thanks. I'm old enough to know the Maytag reference. I can tell I'm REALLY getting old when I say to a cellist "There's always room for cello!" and they look at me like, "What are you talking about?"
On the music front: I scored three indie films this year, none of which you're likely to see. Running, a song I wrote and produced for Roberta Flack - the last song she has recorded - is about to be released on a compilation to help Ukrainian refugees. Have a production music EP coming out as a collaboration with fellow violinist (and Grammy award winner) Lili Haydn and an album in production that's a collaboration with percussionist great, Dame Evelyn Glennie.
On the screenwriting front, my short film The Aspirant won its 20th - and last - festival "best" as it has now run its festival course. I got great encouragement and kudos from filmmakers I respect: Gore Verbinski, Vicky Jenson, Matt Groening, and Wim Wenders. I'm trying to sell a TV series based on it plus several other feature scripts. Looking for a literary manager.
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Man, you’re busy and deservedly so. Post links to all that stuff in here, if you’d like. I look forward to hearing the track you did with Roberta. I understand her health problems and how devastating it must be. What a voice! I’m a dinosaur and bought all those “records” when they came out. I never had the chance to see her, but I did see Donny in ’73. Mavis opened for him. There was some singin’ goin’ on that night. Congrats on that tune. That’s a piece of History.
I didn’t know you were also a screenwriter. I’ve only known you as a musician. Quit setting the bar so high. Lol
I was asked a few weeks ago to help moderate this space. I’d really love to see it filled with worthwhile content for all types and levels of musicians. A space where everyone is comfortable to share and seek advice. I’m really glad you chimed in, Michael. Wishing you good things always.