Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol. 89 - Classic Bossa Nova Songs to Cool You Down in the Summer! Bossa Nova Chronicles, Part VI

Interesting cover of an important bossa nova song!

Continuing from the previous article, “Classic Bossa Nova Songs to Cool You Down in the Summer!” This is Part VI of the series, in which we will continue our examination of the famous bossa nova albums and songs by composers, performers, and others. This time, we will focus on musicians, their albums, and songs that cover the important bossa nova albums I have introduced so far. This is the Bossa Nova Chronicle, Part VI.

Famous Bossa Nova song: “Corcovado” from Getz/Gilberto album (1964)

Two songs from the Getz/Gilberto album, “Girl from Ipanema” and “Corcovado,” were sung in English by Astrud Gilberto.
As with “How Insensitive” (see below), the songs were composed with variations in the melody motifs, which is one of Antonio Carlos Jobim's specialties.
Changes in melodic motifs are also reflected in the chord changes. When a player does a solo, it’s difficult for them to develop the melody because the chord progression is different even though the melody is similar. This may be the reason why jazz musicians liked this area.

Recommended album: Cannonball Adderley, Cannonball’s Bossa Nova,” “Corcovado” (1962)

Cannonball Adderley released the very famous album “Somethin' Else” in 1958, credited with “Kareha”. He is an alto saxophone player known for making “Autumn Leaves” big in jazz.
Although “Somethin' Else” is in fact more commonly recognized as a Miles Davis album, Cannonball became known to the world through this album.
The melodies that Cannonball plays are, unlike his name suggests (pardon the pun!), flowing and beautiful. It can be said that there is no other musician who can make an alto sing as well as he did.

Recommended cover song: “Corcovado”/An encounter between an American jazzman and Brazilian music

Cannonball Adderley performed this album with the Bossa Rio Sextet from Brazil. The sextet is the band of composer Rio and pianist Sergio Mendes.
The American interpretation of bossa nova would seem like it would sound like an American style jazz-bossa, but the collaboration with musicians from Rio, the home of bossa nova, gives the album the integrity of a bossa nova album.
Cannonball's lyrical and flowing melody lines have a high affinity with bossa nova, and this album led to the bossa nova boom.
A chance encounter between one jazzman and Sergio Mendes produced a bossa nova album that has made music history.
Getz/Gilberto was recorded in 1963. On the other hand, this album was recorded at the end of 1962, which infers that the music by Jobim, “Corcovado,” was already made.

Recommended album: How Insensitive (Silly) from “Water to Drink” by Astrud Gilberto (1965)

This song, with its unique Jobim melody, has been covered by many musicians. The method of changing and building the motif of the melody is quintessential Jobim and accentuates the sense of saudade.

Recommended album: “How Insensitive” from Antonio Carlos Jobim Songbook album (1994)

An omnibus album featuring Jobim's famous songs by many musicians. This Antonio Carlos Jobim Songbook is the second one and the first songbook also exists.

Recommended cover song: “How Insensitive”

Self-cover by Antonio Carlos Jobim, performed live as a duo with guitarist Pat Metheny at Carnegie Hall in New York in 1994.
Unlike Astrud Gilberto's laidback singing, Jobim sings with a lot of emotion. Jobim is not a good singer, but his singing with a unique touch is one-of-a-kind. Jobim himself plays the piano and Pat provides backing on gut guitar.
Pat has also played “How Insensitive” in live performances with his band, the Pat Metheny Group. Pat's guitar solo in the middle section is quite beautiful.

Bossa nova classic: “WAVE” from WAVE by Antonio Carlos Jobim (1964)

Recommended album: Toots Sielmans & Elise Regina, “Wave” from “Watercolors of Brazil” (1969)

Elis Regina was a popular artist in Brazil in the mid-60s and 70s. His achievements are not hard to imagine from the comments of many musicians. Sadao Watanabe also released an album dedicated to Elis Regina, titled Elis.
At a time when artists were persecuted under the Brazilian military regime, Elis Regina took action against it. Alcoholism ended her short life at the age of 36.
Belgian Toots Sielmans is a harmonica master who is right up there with the best when it comes to playing the harmonica. He played with Bill Evans, Jaco Pastorius, and many other jazz musicians.

Recommended cover song: “WAVE/Wave

A rather odd arrangement of “Wave”. The short introduction opens with Elise Regina's scat and Toots Sielmans' harmonica.
The most impressive part of the song is Elis Regina's singing. Unlike Astrut Gilberto's blunt and flat singing, Elise sings in an emotional and crisp manner.
Toots' harmonica accompanies her singing well and enhances the mood of the music.
The harmonica usually brings to mind folk songs and storytelling of the early 1970s. However, Toots's harmonica playing is the opposite of that of the four-and-a-half-tatami-mat folk songs. His harmonica playing is light and refreshing, yet emotional and beautiful.
Please listen to the wonderful harmonica solo in the middle section of “Wave.

Musicians, albums, recommended songs, and keyboards featured in this article

• Artists: Cannonball Adderley, Sergio Mendes, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Pat Metheny, Elis Regina, Toots Sielmans
• Albums：Cannonball's Bossa Nova, Antonio Carlos Jobim Songbook, Watercolors of Brazil
• Songs: “Corcovado”, “How Insensitive (Silly)”, “Wave/Waves

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