Justifiably overshadowed by the peerless Getz/Gilberto album (which featured "Girl from Ipanema") from a year before,
Getz/Gilberto #2 still holds its own with an appealing selection of fine jazz and bossa nova cuts. Unlike the first album's seamless collaboration by
Getz,
João Gilberto,
Astrud Gilberto, and
Antonio Carlos Jobim, here
Getz and
João Gilberto turn in separate sets recorded live at Carnegie Hall in October of 1964. Backed by a stellar quartet comprised of vibraphonist
Gary Burton, bassist
Gene Cherico, and drummer
Joe Hunt,
Getz turns in a sparkling performances on the seldom covered ballad "Tonight I'll Shall Sleep with a Smile on My Face," while stretching out nicely on his original blues swinger "Stan's Blues." With the support of bassist Keeter Betts and drummer
Helcio Milito,
Gilberto displays his subtle vocal and guitar talents on a set of bossa nova favorites, including his own "Bim Bom" and
Jobim's "Meditation." An appealing title amongst
Getz's many bossa nova outings, but not an essential one. Newcomers should definitely start with the Getz/Gilberto album before checking this one out. ~ Stephen Cook