João Gilberto (album)
| João Gilberto | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1973 | |||
| Studio | Rachel Elkind's studio, Upper West-side, New York City [1] | |||
| Genre | Bossa nova | |||
| Length | 49:30 | |||
| Label | Polydor | |||
| Producer | Rachel Elkind | |||
| João Gilberto chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | [2] |
João Gilberto is a bossa nova album by João Gilberto, originally released in Brazil as a vinyl LP in 1973 and reissued on CD in 1988. João Gilberto released another album named João Gilberto in 1961, as well as several EPs with only his name as title. The minimal instrumentation – just Gilberto's guitar and voice, plus Sonny Carr's very sparse percussion – and the relentless beat give the album a hypnotic feel. The album's sound engineer was famous electronic music pioneer Wendy Carlos. This album is often referred to as João Gilberto's "white album", in a reference to the Beatles' White Album. It was listed by Rolling Stone Brazil as 47th of the 100 best Brazilian albums in history.[3]
Recording process
Wendy Carlos has stated that the album was recorded in producer Rachel Elkind's converted brownstone recording studio in New York City's Upper-west side.[4][5][6] Carlos described when working with Gilberto during the recording process he possessed, "such control I needed only to position the microphones with care, and set levels once, then let him go".[5] Microphones were placed very close for an intimate sound, "knowing he'd keep it all in perfect balance and consistency, no false sounds or bumping into microphones mere inches away", and that his vocal and guitar was recorded all at once, with percussion parts "more often recorded along with him, not overdubbed."[5]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Águas de Março" | Tom Jobim | 5:23 |
| 2. | "Undiú" | João Gilberto | 6:37 |
| 3. | "Na Baixa do Sapateiro" | Ary Barroso | 4:43 |
| 4. | "Avarandado" | Caetano Veloso | 4:29 |
| 5. | "Falsa Baiana" | Geraldo Pereira | 3:45 |
| 6. | "Eu Quero um Samba" | Janet de Almeida, Haroldo Barbosa | 4:46 |
| 7. | "Eu Vim da Bahia" | Gilberto Gil | 5:52 |
| 8. | "Valsa (Como são Lindos os Youguis) (Bebel)" | João Gilberto | 3:19 |
| 9. | "É Preciso Perdoar" | Carlos Coqueijo, Alcivando Luz | 5:08 |
| 10. | "Izaura" | Herivelto Martins, Roberto Roberti | 5:28 |
Personnel
- João Gilberto – vocals, classical guitar
- Sonny Carr – percussion
- Miúcha – vocals (on "Izaura")
Production
- Rachel Elkind – producer
- Wendy Carlos – engineer
References
- ^ Carlos, Wendy (2005). "An Open Letter, part 6". Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- ^ Ginell, Richard S. "Joao Gilberto - João Gilberto". AllMusic. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
- ^ "Os 100 maiores discos da música brasileira" (in Portuguese). Umas Linhas. December 20, 2007. Archived from the original on October 8, 2009. Retrieved April 20, 2009.
- ^ "Rachel Elkind-Tourre". www.wendycarlos.com. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- ^ a b c Carlos, Wendy (2005). "An Open Letter Part Six to those who have written, and other site visitors". Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- ^ "Wendy Carlos, WC's CO Notes". www.wendycarlos.com. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
External links
- João Gilberto at Discogs (list of releases)
- Album Review (french)