In Dire Need of Remastering
The sound mix of this "Live" concert is appalling -- it's kind of like "João Gilberto, Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto & Hi-Hats!" No disrespect to Joe Hunt or to Helcio Melito (the two drummers for this concert), but the playing and/or sound mix is simply too obtrusive ("undesirably noticeable" is an apt definition here), as the voice and guitar of João Gilberto, as well as the fluid tenor saxophone of Stan Getz, are consistently overshadowed by those darned hi-hats. (...rolling eyes...) Despite this annoyance, João performs at the peak of his powers, although it appears that the performances of both Astrud and Stan Getz are greatly restrained (perhaps there was some backstage (read: real life) drama going on there?). Suffice it to say, if it is great inspiration that you seek, you will not find it here, although this is still a worthy collector's item. A higher recommendation would be "Gal Costa: Canta Tom Jobim - Ao Vivo" (DVD) which left me in tears from its exquisite execution of beautiful music.

When is less more?
Why did they have to screw it up?

The vinyl recording is far better. This CD issue, which adds five cuts, is so much less pleasant to listen to because of all the unnecessary and distracting "chatter." Three of the Getz-only numbers are among my favorites--"Grandfather's Waltz," "Tonight I Shall Sleep with a Smile on my Face," and "Here's That Rainy Day"--so I was particularly disappointed to find that, in order to listen to them on CD, I had to put up with all the non-music garbage.

Too bad!

No Comparison to the Getz/Gilberto Album
I think you have to be a native from Brazil, and a Bossa Nova lover (like me), to identify something in these live recordings that most Americans accustomed to jazz rhythms won't notice. I am talking about the awkward way João Gilberto performs the songs of this album. It is very different from the way he sings and plays the guitar in the classic Getz/Gilberto album, and I think the reason is that here he is being accompanied by jazz musicians who don't know how to play the samba rhythm correctly. It sounds like Gilberto is simplifying the rhythm and slowing down everything. This makes these recordings no comparison to the Getz/Gilberto album. The tracks by Stan Getz alone are ok.

No Comparison to the Getz/Gilberto Album
I think you have to be a native from Brazil, and a Bossa Nova lover (like me), to identify something in these live recordings that most Americans accustomed to jazz rhythms won't notice. I am talking about the awkward way João Gilberto performs the songs of this album. It is very different from the way he sings and plays the guitar in the classic Getz/Gilberto album, and I think the reason is that here he is being accompanied by jazz musicians who don't know how to play the samba rhythm correctly. It sounds like Gilberto is simplifying the rhythm and slowing down everything. This makes these recordings no comparison to the Getz/Gilberto album. The tracks by Stan Getz alone are ok.

Favorite cd of all time
I got this album about 7 years ago and from the first time I listened to it, it took its place as my all-time favorite. It was my introduction to samba and my inspiration to search for more jazz for my cd collection.

The music is so versatile and comforting - it is a perfect complement to whatever mood I'm in, be it upbeat or somewhat sad. It is complex but not too challenging to listen to like some other jazz can be. It does not get old or boring to me.

Other reviewers have simply compared this album to others in the genre, but I would rather think of it standing on its own as a wonderful introduction for someone who doesn't have much jazz in their collection, and a must-have for those who do.