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GILBERTO with TURRENTINE CTI 5127892

1. Wanting Things
2. Brazilian Tapestry
3. To a Flame
4. Solo el Fin
5. Zazueira
6. Ponteio
7. Travelling Light
8. Vera Cruz
9. Historia de Amor
10. Where There’s a Heartache
11. Just Be you
12. The Puppy Song
13. Polytechnical High

Astrid Gilberto – vocal

Stanley Turrentine – tenor

Eumir Deodato – electric piano

Ron Carter – bass Airto Moreira – percussion

And lots of other people!

This was the only album that Astrud Gilberto made for Creed Taylor’s CTI label, and it was a very curious recording. Although mentioned in the title, Stanley Turrentine only plays on four tracks and only performed with Astrud on three! Even more strangely, neither artist is present on track 3, To a Flame. Apparently Astrud was not happy with either the programme selection or the recording, so she left before the session was complete.

It is amazing that against such a bizarre background the album we now have is a very pleasant one. Astrud has a voice that is instantly recognisable and this has assured her on going popularity. Everyone heard her on the Girl From Ipanema with Stan Getz and that record ensured that she would always be remembered in the jazz world, her voice being totally complimentary to the Getz artistry on tenor.

Stanley Turrentine is a great asset to any session, it’s a pity we don’t hear more of him, but what there is very good.

You would not guess from these recordings that things were going badly wrong in the studio, Astrud sings in her own way, if she is slightly hesitant at times, that is all part of the charm. Her voice is unmistakable, cool and appealing; the backings if a little busy at times are still extremely musical. After all busy backing sounds are all part of the Latin scene that Astrud inhabits. Toots Thielman plays harmonica on tracks 6 & 11, I wondered if this was as a replacement to Turrentine but no, he plays a fine solo on track 6, Ponteio.

Travelling Light is a composition of pianist Deodato, it is a good song and it suits Astrud well. Vera Cruz is an instrumental on which Turrentine plays the melody and we get another chance to hear his superb tenor sound and technique. I would buy the album for this track alone.

Overall this is a very good album indeed despite the strange things that happened whilst it was being recorded. I recommend it to everyone who likes the light, dry sound of Astrud Gilberto’s voice. If you liked the Girl From Ipanema, you’ll like this.

Don Mather

 

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