SA-CD.net - Joao Gilberto: Joao Gilberto

Review by analogue February 14, 2014 (3 of 4 found this review helpful)	Performance: Sonics:
This album continues Gilberto's famous Brazilian flavored music. On this release he is mostly playing by himself with his acoustic guitar. Occasionally there is some light percussion and on the last track is joined by his wife. Otherwise...........its only he and his instrument. For those who like intimate recordings of voice and a single instrument..... .this sacd is for you. Gilberto wisely decides to break up any monotony by slightly changing the tempo of songs but he might not have been altogether successful on that count. When listening to this music its all about rhythm. So it should not surprise listeners that he sings and plays the same chords over and over again to get to an almost hallucinogenic level of relaxation. I have to state....its not for everyone. But I like this music. Its a great chill out album. The sound on this Shm Sacd is really top notch. Shocking really. Very closely miked.......Gilberto is in the room with the listener. Its so closely miked for instance that clacking sounds are heard from Gilbert's mouth as he sings. At one point he kicks the chair he is obviously sitting on and I bolted from my chair thinking someone was behind me. I kid you not. This is a beautiful recording. Of both voice and the wooden body of the guitar and the sight twang of its strings. Not much more to say. Play it very loud. If your system has low floor noise you are in for a treat provided you like this music and its tempo. Highly recommended and one of the best Shm Sacd's for sound quality.
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