The Silver Collection: The Astrud Gilberto Album

Astrud Gilberto found fame with her contributions to 1964's classic Getz/Gilberto album, which spawned an instant standard in the hit single "The Girl from Ipanema." From there, she went on to fill many LPs with her winningly hesitant, longing vocal style; this disc collects 25 tracks cut between 1965 and 1970 for Verve. Among them are early versions of a number of Brazilian standards by the likes of Antonio Carlos Jobim ("How Insensitive," "Once I Loved") and Luiz Bonfa ("The Gentle Rain," "Tristeza"). "Fly Me to the Moon" and the Bricusse-Newley "Who Can I Turn To" fit the mood perfectly. Throughout, Gilberto is aided by lush, thoughtful arrangements, including one by Gil Evans on "Berimbou." This entry in the Silver Collection series is an excellent introduction to one of Brazilian pop's most emblematic voices. --Rickey Wright