Classics of Tom Jobim in guitar, viola or violão
Article translated from portuguese, with Google Translate
TOM JOBIM'S CLASSICS ON GUITAR, VIOLA OR VIOLÃO
Antônio Carlos Jobim - or Tom Jobim, as he is better known - is one of the most important composers of the 20th century, with a diverse, rich and prolific work that influenced and continues to influence popular music. Its importance is comparable to the Beatles, as everyone seems to know at least one song by Jobim.
Born in Rio de Janeiro to a middle-class family, Jobim played piano in bars and clubs early in his career, where he crossed paths with other musicians and artists who would revolutionize the cultural life of Brazil. Together with the poet and diplomat Vinicius de Moraes, he met João Gilberto, a musician who appeared in the mid-1950s in Cidade Maravilhosa with an innovative musical style that would soon be dubbed Bossa Nova, which incorporated influences as diverse as samba or Jazz.
This fortunate chance makes them the three fundamental pillars of an unmistakable style that brought timeless classics. Let's get to know some of them, played on one of the essential instruments in this style: the acoustic guitar.
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Desafinado
Written by Tom Jobim for João Gilberto, it is one of Bossa Nova's best-known and beloved themes. Also because it is a defense of this new musical genre, criticized by experts at the time for being "music for singers out of tune".
Some of those out of tune who sang it were Ella Fitzgerald, Gal Costa and George Michael with Astrud Gilberto.
This little song has all the hallmarks of Bossa Nova: a complex chord progression (24 changes in the first minute alone) played in a balanced rhythm that alternates staccato and legato for greater dynamics.
Dindi
Jobim wrote songs that became standards not only in Bossa Nova but also in Jazz. One of these songs is Dindi, composed especially for the singer Sylvia Telles, who died in a car accident shortly after recording it, at just 32 years old.
Taking advantage of his fame in the United States, where he moved in the early 60's, Tom Jobim collaborated with some of the most important musical figures of the time. That's what happened here, with Frank Sinatra, who sings Dindi with Jobim on guitar.
Águas de Março
It's one of Tom Jobim's most brilliant songs, especially the version with another giant of Brazilian music, Elis Regina. Considered the best Brazilian song of all time in a poll carried out by Folha de São Paulo in 2001, Águas de Março is an incomparable rhythmic and melodic fun and one of the most beautiful and curious lyrics made in Portuguese.
Written to the viola - or guitar - in 1972 when Tom Jobim was isolated on his farm in a rural area of Rio de Janeiro, it is a reflection of the effects of the persecution of the military dictatorship that he was suffering, the fatigue of work, the depression that haunted him and the cirrhosis that he had been diagnosed with. In the midst of so many cesspools, Jobim found light at the end of the summer and made this masterpiece.
Recorded twice by Jobim, once with João Bosco and once in his own name on the Matita Perê album, it is the third version, recorded with Elis Regina, which becomes the definitive one.
Garota de Ipanema
The song that marked the career of Tom Jobim is the eternal Girl from Ipanema. With the lyrics of his musical companion Vinicius de Moraes, it was recorded for the first time by Pery Ribeiro in 1962, and it was recorded by João Gilberto and his wife Astrud -who sings in English- with Stan Getz.
The part of the English language was so successful that it ended up being edited and released as a separate theme, taking the bossa nova phenomenon to the world. It is, after Yesterday, by the Beatles, the song with more versions recorded by artists from all over the world.
One of the best performers of Chica de Ipanema was Frank Sinatra, here accompanied by Jobim himself with guitar and voice.
These are just some of Tom Jobim's musical gems, but there are so many more. If you want to learn to play these classics on the guitar, viola or acoustic guitar, visit the Salão Musical online store. We have the best instruments for you, at the best price.
