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- Astrud Gilberto (aka Astrud Evangelina Weiner) (RIP 2024) --

  vocals

  supporting musicians (1967)

- Ray Alonge -- French horn

- Wayne Andre -- trombone

- Benny Arnov -- keyboards

- Seymour Barah -- cello

- John Barber -- tuba

- Warren Bernhardt -- keyboards

- Maurice Bialkin -- cello

- Phil Bodner -- woodwinds

- Maurice Brown -- cello

- Jim Buffington -- French horn

- Ron Carter-- double bass 

- Earl Chapin -- French horn

- Harold Coletta -- viola

- Warren Covington -- trombone

- George Devens -- vibes

- Richard Dickler -- viola

- Alan Douglas -- percussion

- Arnold Eidus -- violin

- Barry Galbraith -- guitar

- Marcello Gilberto -- vocals

- Bernie Glow -- trumpet

- Urbie Green -- trombone

- Bill Hammond -- woodwinds

- Jack Jennings -- percussion

- Harry Katzman -- violin

- Leo Kruczek -- violin

- Herbert Laws -- woodwinds, flute

- Dave Mankovitz -- viola

- Charles McCracken -- cello

- Tony Miranda -- French horn

- Jimmy Nottingham -- trumpet

- George Ockner -- violin

- Gene Orloff -- violin

- Seldon Powell - flute

- Margaret Ross -- harp

- George Ricci -- cello

- Dom Roman -- percussion

- Bobby Rosengarden -- drums

- Erie Royal -- trumpet

- Jule Ruggio -- bass

- Dave Schwartz -- viola

- Harvey Shapiro -- cello

- Allan Shulman -- cello

- Claudio Slon -- drums, percussion

- Marvin Stamm -- trumpet

- Tony Studd -- trombone

- Toots Thielemans -- guitar, harmonica, whistle

- Marcos Valle -- guitar

- Stan Webb -- woodwinds

- none known

Genre: samba

Rating: *** stars

Title: Beach Samba

Company: Verve Forecast

Catalog: V6-8708
Year: 1967

Country/State: Bahai, Brazil

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

Catalog ID: --

Price: $40.00

I'm not quite old enough to have been enraptured by the wave of samba madness that swept through listeners in the mid-'60s.  That said, I knew who the late Astrud Gilberto was and actually owned a couple of her albums when I stumbled across a copy of her fifth solo album - 1967's Creed Taylor produced "Beach Samba".  I'll readily admit that I'm not a massive samba fan and I don't speak a word of Portuguese.  Not that either of those shortcomings should impede one's ability to enjoy these twelve performances .  

Perhaps the best description of the album I've seen is "retro-cool".  Along with the stunning cover photo (courtesy of Jerry Schatzberg), that was enough for me to buy the album.. Verve clearly hoped to broaden Gilberto's appeal with the album.  In addition to backing her with an extensive all-star cast of studio musicians, including bassist Ron Carter, drummer Grady Tate and guitarist Toots Thielemans about half of the performances featured American "pop" songs with English lyrics. While Gilberto was clearly more comfortable singing in her native Portuguese, her heavily accented English vocals weren't bad.  On tracks like 'Stay', her cover of Tim Hardin's 'Misty Roses' and 'Dia das Rosas (I Think of You)' she'd clearly learned the lyrics phonetically, but her unique "little girl" voice and easy-going deliveries frequently more than made up for any other shortcomings. The biggest problem I had was Verve's selection of material.  Exemplified by 'I Had the Craziest Dream' and 'My Foolish Heart' way to many of the selections were MOR oldies.  Even set to samba arrangements they remained MOR oldies.  Featuring Gilberto' scat singing the title track 'Bossa Na Praia (Beach Samba)' and 'Não Bate O Coração' weren't much better.  Ultimately it was clear Gilberto felt more comfortable singing in her native Portuguese so it should not have come as a surprise 'Canoeir' served as the album highlight.

"Beach Samba" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Stay (Gayle Caldwell) - 2:41 rating: **** stars

Yes it sounds like she learned the lyrics phonetically, but that doesn't detract an iota from how cool this song is. Propelled by a slinky, easy-listening jazz groove showcasing Ron Carter's bass, the ballad 'Stay' was the perfect vehicle for Gilberto.  I can't be the only person who thinks she had one of the sexiest voices in music.

- 1967's 'Stay' b/w 'I Had the Craziest Dream' (Verve catalog number VK-10548)

2.) Misty Roses (Tim Hardin) - 2:36 rating: *** stars

I have to admit I'd forgotten what Tim Hardin's original 'Misty Roses' sounded like (off of 1966's "Tim Hardin 1"). I went back and gave it a spin and was surprised to discover his arrangement of the ballad was also heavily orchestrated.  Normally heavy orchestration is a hard stop for me, but this is one of the exceptions where is merely surrounds Gilberto without distracting from her vocals.

3.) The Face I Love (Norman Gimbel - Carlos Pingarilho - Marcos Valle) - 2:06  rating: *** stars

Under the title 'Seu encanto' Brazilian singer Marcos Valle originally recorded the song in 1965 and it was quickly covered by scores of Brazilian and American artists including Jack Jones, Sylvia Telles and Andy Williams.  Gilberto's breezy version stuck close to the Valle original.  Harmless, sunny Sunday fun.

4.) A Banda (Parade) (Chico Buarque - Bob Russell) - 2:07 rating: ** stars

Yeah 'A Banda (Parade)' featured a marching band arrangement.  This was one where Gilberto sounded like she was struggling to handle the extensive English lyrics - basically a long list of parade names.  You have to wonder why Verve thought this was a good song to release as a single:

- 1967's 'A Banda (Parade)' b/w 'You Didn't Have to Be So Nice' (Verve catalog number VK 10554)

5.) Oba, Oba (Luiz Bonfá) - 1:59  rating: *** stars

The ballad 'Oba, Oba' (I think it translates along the lines of 'Great, Great', was originally recorded in 1967 by Brazilian singer Maria Toledo.  In contrast to Toledo's stark arrangement, Gilberto's version added the English lyrics, upped the pop sound, full orchestra and a more distinctive samba flavor.  All told Toldeo's original was far better.  Plus she had a stronger voice than Gilberto.

6.) Canoeiro (Eumir Deodato) - 1:32  rating: **** stars

One of two songs written by arranger (and future pop star) Eumir Deodato, 'Canoeiro' (not sure, but I think it translates as 'canoeist') was one of the album's jazzier tunes.  Sung in her native Portuguese, it was also an opportunity to hear Gilberto without the baggage of having to sing in English.  It made for one of the album's strongest performances; the only downside being the song was so short.

(side 2)

1.) I Had the Craziest Dream (Mack Gordon - Harry Warren) - 2:25  rating: ** stars

Another oldie, 'I Had the Craziest Dream' was originally recorded by Victor Young and  his Orchestra, with Tony Martin on vocals.  The song was featured in the 1942 film "Springtime in the Rockies".  It's subsequently become an easy-listening standard covered by everyone from Doris Day to Frank Sinatra. In spite of trying to samba-it-up a little, Gilberto's version just added another entry to the list.  Forgettable, though it also appeared as the "B" side on her 'Stay' 45.
2.) Bossa Na Praia (Beach Samba) (Geraldo Cunha - Pery Ribeiro) - 2:48 rating: * star

The title track was the album's biggest disappointment.  I usually hate scat singing and the title track was no exception.  Gilberto's performance was made worse by the heavy orchestration which eventually simply overwhelmed her.  I guess it was better than having her record a tune entitled 'Vacuuming Samba'

3.) My Foolish Heart (Ned Washington - Victor Young) - 2:47  rating: ** stars

The lush ballad 'My Foolish Heart' was originally recorded by Martha Mears for the 1949 film of the same name. Can't say this one did much for me.

4.) Dia das Rosas (I Think of You) (Bonfá - Patti Jacob) - 2:21 rating: *** stars

The ballad 'Dia das Rosas (I Think of You)' was one of the better performances where the lyrics translated into English.

5.) You Didn't Have to Be So Nice (Steve Boone - John Sebastian) - 2:41 rating: **** stars

Initially I thought her duet with then six-year old son Joao Marcelo was sickly sweet - clearly meant to tug at heartstrings.  Be warned it is highly sappy, but as I've grown older there's a certain charm and clear warmth hearing the pair interact in the studio.  The track was tapped as the "B" side to her 'A Banda (Parade)' single.

6.) Não Bate O Coração (Eumir Deodato) - 1:35 rating: ** stars

Crap, another scat song.  Admittedly the melody was better than the earlier 'Bossa Na Praia'.  Imagine Vince Guaraldi backing a Brazilian singer and you'll get a feel for this one.

 © Scott R. Blackerby