TOM CANTA VINICIUS - AO VIVO

Recorded live in January 1990, this album captures an emotive performance by Tom Jobim (1927-1994) paying homage to partner Vinicius de Moraes (1913-1980) through eight of the emblematic duo’s compositions. Jobim also re-creates two songs by Vinicius and Carlos Lyra (Você e Eu, Samba do Carioca), besides four compositions written by Vinicius alone: Valsa de Eurídice, Serenata do Adeus, Medo de Amar and Pela Luz dos Olhos Teus. The album opens with Vinicius’ Soneto da Separação, to which Jobim wrote the music in a very careful fashion: "I tried not to disturb the sonnet’s structure with my music", he humbly claims. And the maestro distributes compliments to the poet’s "musical talent" during each of the songs’ introductions, from the "really adorable" samba-tune Medo de Amar" to the "Paris flavored" waltz Pela Luz dos Olhos Teus. The inevitable Garota de Ipanema comes up in an amusing "Japanese version", while Tom bares all of his affection toward Vinicius.(Tárik de Souza)