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
CD Reviews
CTI
5127892
