The Astrud Gilberto Album

by Astrud Gilberto

Overview

Astrud Gilberto became an accidental success when her fragile command of English made her the de facto choice to sing "The Girl from Ipanema" at a session led by Stan Getz and her husband, Joao Gilberto. Of course, despite its overwhelming success, it wasn't clear that she could sustain a career when she recorded her first solo LP, The Astrud Gilberto Album. She had sounded more like an amateurish novelty act than a recording professional, her voice was sweet but fragile, and the Getz/Gilberto album had featured two strong voices, with Gilberto herself an afterthought (albeit a commercially effective afterthought). But The Astrud Gilberto Album was at least as good as Getz/Gilberto (despite what jazz fans say), for several reasons. The Brazilian repertoire plays particularly well to traditionally weak vocalists, her voice was yet more sweet than had been heard previously, and as before, the record featured two strong leaders -- arranger Marty Paich and the incomparable Antonio Carlos Jobim. Paich's strings positively coated the album with radiance, and his choices for lead instrumental voices -- Bud Shank's flute, Joao Donato's piano, Jobim's guitar -- complemented her vocals perfectly. Gilberto sounded beautiful on a range of material, from the sentimental "Dindi" to the playful "Agua de Beber," and as long as intelligent musicians were playing to her strengths (as they do here), the results were splendid. ~ John Bush

Product Details

Release Date:	06/06/2025
Label:	Universal Japan
UPC:	4988031756652

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Astrud Gilberto   Primary Artist,Vocals
Antonio Carlos Jobim   Primary Artist,Featured Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Marty Paich   Conductor
Joao Donato   Piano
Joe Mondragon   Bass
Marty Paich & His Orchestra   Ensemble,Orchestra
Milt Bernhart   Trombone
Stu Williamson   Trumpet
Bud Shank   Flute,Sax (Alto)

Technical Credits

Joao Gilberto   Composer
Gene Lees   Composer
Marty Paich   Arranger
Astrud Gilberto   Composer
Michael Malatak   Cover Design
Norman Gimble   Composer
Dorival Caymmi   Composer
Kevin Reeves   Mastering
Creed Taylor   Producer
Vinicius de Moraes   Composer
Val Valentin   Director of Engineering
Rudy Van Gelder   Mastering
Aloysio de Oliveira   Composer
Ray Gilbert   Composer
Norman Gimbel   Composer
Aloysio Oliveira   Composer
Hollis King   Art Direction
George Lees   Composer
Jack Maher   Liner Notes,Original Liner Notes
Isabelle Wong   Design
Newton Mendonca   Composer
Harry Weinger   Reissue Supervisor
Danilo Caymmi   Composer
David Hassinger   Engineer
Cameron Mizell   Production Coordination
Antonio Carlos Jobim   Composer