Frank Sinatra - Francis Albert Sinatra + Antonio Carlos Jobim [Bossa Nova]

Frank Sinatra - Francis Albert Sinatra + Antonio Carlos Jobim [Bossa Nova][mp3 320][h33t][schon55]

Frank Sinatra - Francis Albert Sinatra + Antonio Carlos Jobim
Original Release Date: January 30, 1967
Label: Reprise
Audio CD: May 26, 1998
Format: Original recording remastered
Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Total playing: 28:33
Bitrate: 320 kbps

By 1967, bossa nova had become quite popular within jazz and traditional pop audiences, yet Frank Sinatra hadn't attempted any Brazil-influenced material. Sinatra decided to record a full-fledged bossa nova album with the genre's leading composer, Antonio Carlos Jobim. Arranged by Claus Ogerman and featuring Jobim on guitar and backing vocals, Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim concentrated on Jobim's originals, adding three American classics ó "Baubles, Bangles and Beads," "Change Partners," and "I Concentrate on You" ó that were rearranged to suit bossa nova conventions. The result was a subdued, quiet album that used the Latin rhythms as a foundation, not as a focal point. Supported by a relaxed, sympathetic arrangement of muted brass, simmering percussion, soft strings, and Jobim's lilting guitar, Sinatra turns in an especially noteworthy performance; he has never sounded so subtle, underplaying every line he delivers and showcasing vocal techniques that he never had displayed before. Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim doesn't reveal its pleasures immediately; the album is too textured and understated to be fully appreciated within one listen. After a few plays, the album begins to slowly work its way underneath a listener's skin, and it emerges as one of his most rewarding albums of the '60s. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG

Multitalented Brazilian musician Jobim's talent was revealed to a larger world in 1959 by his and Luis Bonfa's score for the film Orfeu Negro (Black Orpheus) in 1959. Songs such as "A Felicidade" and "Desafinado" generated the bossa nova movement of the early '60s that inspired the likes of Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd, and Miles Davis. This 1967 album features Jobim sharing vocals with Sinatra on "The Girl from Ipanema" and "How Insensitive." Three standards--"Change Partners" by Irving Berlin; "I Concentrate on You" by Cole Porter; and Robert Wright, George Forrest, and Alexander Borodin's "Baubles, Bangles, and Beads"--round out the program of seven Jobim tunes. This is a lovely taste of Latin melody and rhythm from two masters of relaxed swing. ~ Stanley Booth

I purchased this album because the author (and Sinatra aficionado) Pete Hamill claimed in his book "Why Sinatra Matters" that it was one of Sinatra's best. Nevertheless I was skeptical because quite often a record producer or performer will get the idea that creating a `super group' or pairing two very talented musicians will create a record that is even greater than the sum of its parts. That usually doesn't happen. The usual result is one in which each `diva' takes a turn showcasing his or her talents. "Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim" is a rare and very pleasant exception. Although not a 50-50 blend, this album really showcases Sinatra performing the great Jobim's music, the result is virtually flawless.

Sinatra & Jobim was released in the U.S. in 1967 during the height of Brasil's bossa nova invasion. Performers such as Jobim, Joao Gilberto and Astrud Gilberto, enjoyed tremendous influence on U.S. pop music and jazz. Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd, Ella Fitzgerald and others all absorbed or collaborated in the bossa nova boom. This album and the later "Sinatra and Company" mark Sinatra's footprint in the bossa nova genre.

The CD opens with an excellent cover of The Girl from Ipanema with Sinatra taking verses in English and Jobim in Portuguese. As others have noted, Sinatra's voice is quiet to the point of whispering. Those used to swing era Sinatra and his other full throttle vocals may find is quiet, spare renditions different to say the least. It happens to work in the context of this and other tracks such as Dindi, Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars and Meditation. Sinatra always had a great feel for interpreting a song and I think his approach to Jobim's songs is dead solid perfect. Similarly, the three non-Jobim songs arranged by the very talented Claus Ogerman, "Change Partners", "I Concentrate on You", and "Baubles, Bangles and Beads", fit in nicely with Jobim's in terms of the mood and the music.

All in all this is an excellent CD and is one that I often turn to when I want music to whisper to me instead of shout. Highly recommended. ~ Leonard Fleisig "Len"

Personnel:
Frank Sinarta (Vocals);
Antonio Carlos Jobim (Vocals, Guitar and Piano);
Claus Ogerman (Arranger and Conductor);
Dom Um Romao (Drums and Percussion);
Billy May (Trumpet);
Al Viola (Guitar)

Frank Sinatra - Francis Albert Sinatra + Antonio Carlos Jobim tracks:
01 The Girl From Ipanema (VinÌcius de Moraes/Norman Gimbel/Antonio Carlos Jobim) 3:16
02 Dindi (Aloysio de Oliveira/Ray Gilbert/Antonio Carlos Jobim) 3:31
03 Change Partners (Irving Berlin) 2:43
04 Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars (Corcovado) (Antonio Carlos Jobim/Gene Lees) 2:46
05 Meditation (Norman Gimbel/Antonio Carlos Jobim/Newton MendonÁa) 2:56
06 If You Never Come To Me (Aloysio de Oliveira/Ray Gilbert/Antonio Carlos Jobim) 2:12
07 How Insensitive (VinÌcius de Moraes/Norman Gimbel/Antonio Carlos Jobim) 3:18
08 I Concentrate On You (Cole Porter) 2:38
09 Baubles, Bangles and Beads (George Forrest/Robert C. Wright) 2:34
10 Once I Loved (O Amor en Paz) (VinÌcius de Moraes/Ray Gilbert/Antonio Carlos Jobim) 2:35


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