Track Listing

1. Girl from Ipanema
2. One Note Samba
3. Jazz 'n' Samba
4. She's a Carioca
5. Looks Like December
6. Desafinado
7. Falando de Amor
8. Song of the Jet (Samba Do Avi�o)
9. Felicidade
10. For All of My Life
11. How Insensitive
12. Forgetting You
13. Pois �
14. Once I Loved
15. Modinha
16. Caminhos Cruzados

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8432 in Music
• Released on: 1998-07-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

The Los Angeles Times
As a musician first and a singer second, Elias understands the importance of the harmonic connections between the melodies and the rhythms of Jobim's compositions.

Customer Reviews

Superb interpretations of Jobim's music
I am great fan of Jobim's compositions. I have scores of CDs featuring his music, covering a wide range of styles and arrangements. This CD is one of my all-time favorites! The selection of songs includes widely-known classics like Desafinado and lesser-known works like Song of the Jet. These are among Jobim's best compositions in my opinion. Elias' arrangments are fresh, inventive, lightly jazzy, and never overbearing. The orchestration has a small combo feel to it -- there are no long-winded jazz solos or srypy string to be found here. Elias' piano playing controlled and imaginative, but it never gets in the way of the compositions themselves. Elias is not the world's best vocalist, but what she does works well on this CD. She has an on-key, soothing, vibrato-less voice that reminds me a little of Astrud G. I really love this CD. If you want a sophisticated, listenable, and modern interpretation of some of Jobim's classics - this is it.

Already Well Reviewed; Excellent and Classy, little to add!!
Very little to be added...! I must accept that almost everything (I was going to say) about this CD, has already been said by almost all of the customer reviewers. This album IS a very good interpretation of some of Jobim's best. I find the comments by customer reviewer Clifford T. Dibble "...never overbearing, small combo feel", etc. perfectly reflecting my own discoveries. I'm also in complete agreement with S. Kelvin Yew from Singapore in-depth analysis, specially the comparisons with Elis Regina and a young Astrud Gilberto. Reviews by Gillian from Canada, "bossa lover" and "london rio newyork" are truly meaningful: please read them all-I can't agree more with all of their notes-. The sense of intimacy and warmth is well conveyed. The group backing is outstanding, and her playing never interferes with the original intentions of Jobim's minimalistic approach. Specially welcome is the use of string bass, against the ubiquitous "Fender-type" of electrical instrument that frequently spoils the true Bossa Nova sound. Brazilian drummer Paulo Braga also fits much more naturally than previous DeJohnette playing in 1990 release "Eliane plays Jobim" CD, at least much more naturally. Also appreciated is the precisely recorded sound of Eliane's perfectly tuned Steinway piano, less energetic than Tania Maria's but never overwhelming and perfectly blended with the sound of the rest of the group. Slightly dissapointing is the recorded sound of Oscar Castro-Neve's guitar, since his presence seems just a little laid back, lacking some luster and detail that this excellent guitarrist deserves. Breker's Sax sound appears just a little bit hollow, lacking the body and sensuousness that the late Stan Getz used to project, but classy enought to accompany Eliane's playing. Very few times so many customer reviews describe so well an album, therefore I cannot disagree more with the customer reviewer that rated this CD with only two stars; I guess he is just missing the point: it is Elia's voice lack of technical ability or range what allows her sheer, almost whispering beauty, really transmit the very essence of Bossa Nova, like Gilberto and Jobim (also subdued) voices firstly expressed it during the early 60's. Overall, very enjoyable and smooth, while being fresh and evolving at the same time, Elia's playing and arrangements introduce slightly different and new textures to the well known but not always well executed Jobim's masterpieces. Definitely recommended.

Beautiful
Anyone who loves Brazilian music, Jobim, jazz and bossa nova, cannot fail but love this album. Eliane's voice is beautiful and she sings without straining, her voice is but a breath of air, and is so relaxing. Her piano playing is second to none and the other musicians on this album are just as brilliant...Michael Brecker, Oscar Castro-Neves, Marc Johnson, Paulo Braga and Cafe. This is an album that has the ability to transport you to a warm Brazilian beach, even in the midst of a cold Canadian winter. Just put it on, close your eyes, and get ready for the sun!