Today is truly a very sad day as Joao Gilberto, the greatest musician / singer of Brazilian bossa-nova and samba in the world passed away at 88 at Rio de Janeiro. He was the absolute master who inspired all others Brazilian singers and his genius and beauty of his singing was in its hyper sensitivity, his incredible simplicity and phrasing of each word of a song.
With Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes he was the one who literally invented the bossa-nova at the end of the 50's and the music, thanks to "The Girl from Ipanema" was soon going to conquer the world. Now the bossa-nova is often put in the "lounge music" section because of its coolness, which is almost an insult as it is a music much more difficult to play and sing than it appears.
Anyway, the best tribute that one can give to Joao Gilberto is to share his music and here is a selection of not-to-be-missed songs and albums of this great master. For more about his life check the excellent article from Libération in French HERE or in English translated by Google HERE.
Before the audio-only videos, here is a video showing Joao Gilberto ( guitar ) with Antonio Carlos Jobim ( piano ) singing The Girl from Ipanema.
Next, is an audio-only video and it's the great 1973 album "joao Gilberto". If you click on the Youtube link, you 'll be able to listen to the full album.
All LPs from Joao Gilberto are perfect - there is no one in his entire life who was not good - and the one he did titled "Amoroso", arranged by the great Claus Ogerman is another masterpiece. The first song below is his version of Georges Gershwin " 'S Wonderful" and the other one below is "Estate". If you click on the first one you'll have the playlist of the full album, except Estate which is below.
Another absolutely great album was the one he did with Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethania, titled "Brazil", in which they all sing the legendary song of Ary Barroso "Aquarela Do Brazil" - that Disney used in Saludos Amigos Brazil segment, which almost became Brazil official anthem.
His 1970 "Mexico" album is excellent, too.
Even when he sung a French song as famous as Charles Trenet "Que reste-t- il de nos amours?" he succeeded to rise it emotionally like no other.
Two live videos of his concerts, the first one below in 1980, the next one in 1994 at Sao Paulo.
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