Lazy Day Music
Based on the mostly ultra-positive reviews here, you would think that this is the one of the finest recordings ever issued. Well, I'm not a bandwagon guy and if I am overly excited about an album, I put it away to listen later to see if I hear it the same way again. And so it is with this as I listen again after a long cooling off period.
I like Antonio Carlos Jobim and own many of his recordings. Most, if not all of the songs on The Composer of Desafinado Plays can be found on other Jobim recordings and often better performed. This CD is more intimate in some ways than his others, but it is more of a reworked "best of" compilation than something new.
This album is great lazy day music, perfect for kicking back with a steamy cup of hot java and washing your cares away. Listen closely to Jobim's over-dubbed one hand piano style and Jimmy Cleveland's ever so smooth trombone! Some reviewers complain of Claus Ogerman's over-orchestration. I concur, but it is really no worse than what is done on Jobim's excellent A&M and CTI issues. My main issue with this CD is that at 35 minutes, it is far too short. Bonus tracks should definitely have been provided. Perhaps Verve feels it makes up for the paucity of music by providing listeners with a handsome booklet that contains an interview with an arranger that relates to Jobim's music and also commentary on each song. I'd rather have heard more music.
Favorites here include Agua de Beber, Insensatez, Samba de Uma Nota So, Chega de Saudade, and of course the immortal Desafinado. Though this is not what I'd call a "desert island" recording (that honor goes to Jobim's Stone Flower), it certainly won't gather dust at my place.

A Delightful Trip To Brazil
In the late 60's and mid 70's, I recall as a young child of listening to Brazilian music on the radio. It truly made an impact on me as an adult as I did not realize until recently that I was listening to the great composer, Antonio Carlos Jobim. I also did not realize the magnitude of his influence on other artists such as Brazil 66. One must imagine my delight when I discovered I could purchase "The Composer of Desafinda, Play" cd as I feel the compositions take me to Brazil. It is an absolutely beautiful and melodic cd that "takes me away" from every stress.

DESAFINADO - ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIN
Tremendous record. Could listen to this music for hours. The music is soothing, melodious, relaxing, a compilation of Jobim's best songs. I had the original LP of this record and unfortunately lost it, when I moved to a new home. I feel very fortunate in that Amazon had the CD recording available.Great music.

Fantastic, unbelievably wonderful CD
Perfect for cooling down in the hot summer! Get a nice, cool drink with crushed ice, find a nice air conditioner to be near, put on this CD and RELAX!! If you need more than this to calm down, you will have to visit your physician to get a prescription! I've loved this since it was an album in the sixties (and I was a teenager)and now I truly enjoy it in my fifties! It is timeless music that never grows old nor becomes dated. Perfect for gift giving as I cannot imagine anyone who would not enjoy this music. You will have to play it many times as once is not enough!!

Composer of Desafinado
One of the best albums of all time. It fits in the "Desert Island" category. Jobim plays with artless simplicity, backed by subtle strings and percussion that's superlative. I've listened to and loved this album for over 40 years and never tired of it.